There's a reason why the crowds aren't allowed to touch most concepts and prototypes, let alone take them for a spin. With a few exceptions, these models are created purely for show and lack the painstaking attention to detail under the skin found on production vehicles.
But while a mishap is understandable and perhaps even excusable, it's also hugely embarrassing -no matter how small it is- when it happens to a vehicle like the Lincoln MKZ Concept with which Ford itself says it's not only introducing a new car but "essentially a new brand". Even more so when the incident occurs at the largest auto show in North America…
To make matters worse, Detroit's Free Press was on hand to film the smoke coming from the MKZ (or at least that's what it looks like in the video). Hop over the break to watch the clip.
Story References: Detroit Freep via Worldcarfans
14 Comments:
The guy kept his calm. Likely a last minute finish-up that went awry on the concept as it was rushed out the door so it could make the show.
Can things possibly get any worse for Lincoln?
Instead of trying to solve the problem with his smartphone (there's no app for that), this dork should have at least popped the hood and disconnected the battery.
It´s not a production-car. Has it a hood, has it a battery?
His visible look - relatively calm & collected as he try's in vain to call someone for help - inside, he's thinking: "oh shi*!! somebody really fkd up, now how am I going to play this shi* off in front of the world". As the smoke increases he thinks he should stop calling the employee he was trying to find and dial the fire dept instead. Definitely bad timing for this mishap.
What people do to MKZ be considered the hottest concept of the show! hehe
That is a finish coat reacting to the intense light . . . you see that all the time during press days at any autoshow. Way to make a news story out of thin air . . .
He is joel piaskowski. He is head of exterior design for Ford in the Americas. He is sniffing the smoke and working on the new app. developed by Ford.
Lincoln promised a smoking hot car, there you have it.
Wimpy smoke......Ferrai can do much better.
Yes they can, just wait for the production version
So that's what they mean by the optional smokers package.
No, you can see the smoke rising from somewhere like the dashboard. It is visible through the windshield. Even if you didn't see the smoke, the odor of burning insulation or whatever is usually pretty unmistakable.
Should have blown his arm off...
For the record, this is a CONCEPT CAR. There is no battery. This particular car was, as most concept/ show cars do, had a 12V inverter attached to the electrical (or lack of) system to power lights, electric doors and dash panels. The inverter is usually under the platform and has the wiring entering the vehicle either behind the rear wheel out of sight or in the middle of the car. Like most other concepts, it is not a functional production vehicle, but a concept prototype.
It is very rare they, but sometimes pre-production prototype vehicles will be displayed, but they are usually cobbled together mules that only resemble the true production vehicle. Mules are often tested beyond their mechanical limits for production feasiblility, so they are not suitable for show purposes.
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