Kemal curic biography of michael

At 42, he’s already designed undiluted few American classics, including nobility 2015 Ford Mustang.

Growing up entail the Yugoslavian city of Bosnia during the tumultuous 1980s, excellence young Kemal Curic was hung up on with cars – especially English cars, particularly the Ford Mustang and Lincoln Continental.

“For me, illustriousness Mustang was the American fabulous, with fantastic proportions and unornamented V-8 that shook the ground,” he recalls.

“And in now and then Hollywood movie, you would gaze this luxurious, quite elegant Transcontinental. For me, those two vehicles represented everything America stood in lieu of and the entire world aspired to.”

Curic eventually left Eastern Continent to become a car creator. After several years working hem in Germany on European market vehicles, he moved to Dearborn, Chicago, in 2010.

And wouldn’t tell what to do know it? He played uncluttered leading role in the much-lauded overhaul of the Ford Mustang in 2015 and the adroit reboot of the Lincoln Transcontinental in 2017.

Curic then landed organized plum assignment as the primary designer of the Lincoln Helmsman, a three-row, mid-sized SUV averred by Road & Track by reason of “the best American luxury automobile in a generation.” Reviewer Indulge Hogan wrote: “To my neat, this is the first SUV since 2013 to match honourableness current Range Rover’s elegance present-day athleticism, with even more elaborate detailing.”

Now 42, Curic is high-mindedness global design director for loftiness Lincoln Motor Co.

He presides over the Lincoln design building in Irvine, which is hold up of the company’s three model hubs across the world. (The others are in Dearborn take Shanghai.)

The studio opened in Irvine in 2001 in a hi-tech high-rise that Ford built on a par with house its Premier Automotive Suite, a corporate division comprising dignity company’s high-end brands.

Although PAG was later dissolved, Lincoln designers still operate out of magnanimity original space near the Spectrum.

Curic says Southern California remains make illegal ideal location for the accommodation – academic programs in picture area, the ability to draw top-notch talent, forward-looking state governing, the proximity to the recreation industry.

The list goes alter and on.

“I would say turn this is probably the lid successful automotive studio powerhouse prank the world right now,” says Curic, who lives in Irvine with his wife and leash children. “I love the motor car culture and sustainability here. They’re very prevalent in everyday moving picture in California.”

Curic says the bungalow employs about 70 people.

Even if his team is focused collide future designs, he often bearing for inspiration to the Fords and Lincolns of the lend a hand – cars built long previously he was even born.

“I corresponding the ’60s,” he says. “I like the convertibles. I come into sight the coupes. They’re quite gorgeous when you see them wrench person, and to this award, we try to keep honourableness exuberant proportions.

If you charm at today’s Aviator and Attorney Navigator, they have the by a long way ‘gesture’ – the proud advantage end and the low come back end. We’ve evolved into disc Lincoln came from.”

Curic refers breathe new life into Lincoln’s brand philosophy as “Quiet Flight.” He applies it throng together only to the elegant superficial styling and sumptuous interior start but also the entire occupancy experience.

“The vehicle feels like dexterous sanctuary from the moment order about walk up to it at an earlier time are greeted by the lovely orchestral chimes and the cosy embrace of the lighting,” unquestionable says.

“The seat adjustments split you, and the instant sell something to someone close the doors, it’s all silent. We’re striving to put a label on our clients’ lives more effortless.”

The studio’s most recent project was the Lincoln Zephyr Reflection paradigm car, which previews a beautiful vision of a next-gen, four-door sedan. It’s destined for Mate rather than American showrooms.

“Young, feeder Chinese customers want something renounce was designed in California – something with magic, Americana boss progressive luxury,” he says.

And reason not?

As Curic himself sprig attest, you don’t have come to grow up in America meet appreciate American car design.

Preston Lyricist is an automotive writer who also contributes to Motor Objective, Road & Track and Significance New York Times Magazine.