McLaren Automotive has appointed Kemal Curic as its new Chief Design Officer, marking a significant addition to the brand’s executive leadership team as it continues to refine the future of high-performance luxury design. Effective from April 2026, Curic will assume responsibility for shaping the overall design vision and creative direction across McLaren’s growing portfolio, reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation rooted in motorsport heritage.
In his new role, Curic will oversee all core design disciplines, including Interiors, Exteriors, CMF (Colour, Material and Finish) and Digital Design. Working closely with McLaren’s engineering and product strategy teams, he will play a central role in ensuring that every vehicle continues to embody the brand’s defining principles of lightweight engineering, emotional engagement and uncompromising performance. His appointment signals a continued focus on harmonising aesthetic identity with technical precision, a balance that sits at the heart of McLaren’s design philosophy.
Curic brings more than two decades of international automotive design experience, shaped by a career that spans some of the industry’s most influential performance and luxury vehicles. He joins McLaren from Ford Motor Company, where he most recently served as Global Design Director for Performance Vehicles. In that capacity, he oversaw the creative direction of several high-profile performance models, contributing to the evolution of modern design language within one of the world’s most recognisable automotive brands.
Throughout his career, Curic has built a reputation for evolving iconic nameplates while preserving their core identity. His approach is defined by a deep understanding of performance DNA, combined with a sensitivity to brand heritage and emotional storytelling through design. This ability to modernise without diluting authenticity has made him a respected figure in global automotive design circles.
Speaking on his appointment, Curic expressed enthusiasm for joining McLaren at a pivotal moment in its ongoing design evolution. He highlighted the brand’s unique position at the intersection of engineering excellence and racing heritage, describing it as one of the most aspirational names in the automotive world. He also emphasised his intent to collaborate closely with McLaren’s design and engineering teams to create a new generation of purpose-driven vehicles that continue to push the boundaries of performance and aesthetics.
With Curic at the helm of its design organisation, McLaren strengthens its ambition to define the next chapter of supercar design. His leadership is expected to further integrate digital innovation, material sophistication and aerodynamic precision into a cohesive visual and experiential language, ensuring that future McLaren models remain instantly recognisable while evolving the brand’s design legacy.
