The problematic luxury child of the Ford Motor group is trying to recuperate from years of neglect with a fresh concept model that not only previews the next MKZ mid-size sedan due in dealerships later this year but also serves as a vision of Lincoln's next-generation vehicles.
Of course, those of you that have been following the automotive industry will know that this is not the first time that Ford has attempted to rejuvenate its luxury brand. All the same, the Blue Oval claims that the MKZ Concept, which debuts at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show, marks a new era for Lincoln.
“With the Lincoln MKZ Concept, we are not introducing a new car. We are essentially introducing a new brand,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's vice president for global product development. “The MKZ Concept is the next step in the reinvention of Lincoln, something we’ve been quietly but aggressively pursuing.”
What's important about the MKZ study is its styling language along with the ambience and the various gadgets and features of the interior, which looks more production ready than the exterior.
“The MKZ Concept’s shape is a vision of simplicity completed with just a few strokes,” said Max Wolff, Lincoln design director. “Our movement as a brand is toward something we call elegant simplicity. It’s something warmer and more restrained, which is moving away from complex designs and traditional luxury.”
On the outside, most surfaces and details are new with the exception of the front end that looks like a slightly more modern version of Lincoln's current face with a split-wing grille and relatively small headlamps pushed towards the corners.
Inside, the concept has seating for four with champagne-colored leather seats, while the passenger enjoying the view from the panoramic glass roof that spans from the windshield to the top of the backlight.
"The front graphic is repeated in the dramatic sweep of the instrument panel, helping tie the interior to the exterior," said Wolf. "These flowing forms create a comfortable and functional interior that particularly appeals to the younger, more diverse customers we are targeting."
Among other features, the MKZ's cabin sports push-button transmission gear selection, an open, tiered center console and liquid crystal instrumentation.
The Blue Oval did not release any information on the MKZ's hardware, but we know that it rides on the same platform as the new 2013 Ford Fusion sharing the same 112.2-in (2,850mm) wheelbase.
23 Comments:
Dear god! My tract !D:
Well (yawn) it's just not that dynamic! Park this next to a Cadillac, for instance, and it just has the same 'feel' as the Caddy. This looks like a tweaked Ford Fusion, and nothing more. It doesn't stand-out as a unique vehicle. For the Lincoln franchize to succeed, it needs to find a TOTALLY new direction and not a variation of the standard Ford corporate design trend that is evident in all of the vehicles sold under the blue oval. This car just isn't that 'new', 'different', or 'unique'. It's okay, but not a step forward(
Why is this a concept? If anything, this should be on the road today already. Yawn indeed.
i like the back lights but i was expecting more ...
Mike! Are we looking at the same car?
Max forgot to use the term 'Exquisite' ...Inside & Out. This design reminds me of the elegant early thirties designs.
Love the sweeping retro facade complimented by the polished development of the rear end.
This design looks nearly ready for production, and Ford/Lincoln should go for it, though I would prefer the 'MKR' design language which is partially shared by this 'MKZ'.
Caveat; Ford bean counters will strip the essence out the car, too bad, Ford needs to step out to bring Lincoln back to market viability.
Mike needs to review the history of automotive design and the lineage of Lincoln design in particular.
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I think Ford has succeeded in differentiating the MKZ (stupid name) from the Fusion. The VAST majority of people will have no problem telling them apart. Frankly a "car guy" would have a problem saying they share the same platform if they didn't have advanced knowledge.
That said, while it is a nice looking car, it something that stirs the soul. Lincoln's biggest problem is that their cars are too sedate. There is no passion here. Cadillac doesn't have the problem.
what a surprise a fusion with a new front and rear....
Overall silhouette looks pleasing, front end not so good, rear end much better. Interior looks modern and comfortable. How this all comes off will depend on Ford and how they execute it.
I work for Ford Research and Development in Michigan and can say for the record, this is pretty darn close to the production ready version. The general public will definitely desire this vehicle.I've been testing this vehicle for the last 7 months and nothing on the road compares
I am not in a market for this car and I prefer German brands but even I can see they did a brilliant job. I especially like how they sculpted the trunk and made it very 3-dimenional yet swooping (brings to mind the best Renaults).
Oldsmobile Aurora ripoff.
AND it's only a concept for pete's sake??? This concept is one inch wider than the real thing and the wheels are way bigger than they're gonna offer.
I can't stand how they have almost totally copied the rear end styling of a car from almost 20 years ago that actually looks more modern than this. The GM(ness) is coming through Max Wolff, and that snout is pretty ugly and kindda doesn't match the rest of the car.
That being said, it may do well, but only if Ford practically gives it away like the current MKZ because if it's priced with a premium, it's gonna be a struggle.
That rear light array looks slightly Chargeresque.
I love it. Just love it.
I agree with Mike & Beavis. In order to re-invent the brand, Lincoln needs to further distance itself from the general Ford parts bin & their designers need to merely draw inspiration from the past while pushing forward from a clean sheet of paper - Cadillac has succeeded at that. This design based on the images here still plays it safe. I look at the individual pics covering various areas of this car which look nice (Q45 rear), however when placed together its not a stirring design - unique from Fusion of course, but enough to lure people away from the competition domestic & foreign will be challenging. It still lacks soul and the want/lust factor. People shouldn't have to be convinced to buy this car. In person, the car may have more presence, I'll determine that once the show hits town.
It sure marks a new era for Lincoln. The era of ADIOS AMIGO.
...and the headlights are so small !
Yep you must be dreaming another car
Don't just glance at this--study it for a bit, and I think you will be impressed with the refinement of the design. Good design doesn't have to be "new" or "unique" (unless you're an aficionado of the Lady Gaga School of Design). This is good design. Raymond Loewy once said that he knew a design was finished, not when he stopped adding things to it, but when he stopped taking things away. If Ford doesn't clutter up the production version, the simplicity and elegance of the lines of this car will appeal to right demo.
One more thought.
I've had a lot of business travel lately. One week Avis gave me an MKZ. I thought it was a nice car that rode well and had some nice features. A week later I got a Chevy Cruze LTZ. It was a nicer car with even better features. It also handled better. I don't know the sticker prices but I'm willing to be that the Cruze LTZ was the greater value. Even worse, it was the better car.
Help! I think that Ford/Lincoln is duping the public. The specs on the new MZK concept are extremely close to the current Volvo S80. Not a bad idea, since Ford already paid for the Volvo design. The average Jane or Joe won't see it. This is what Ford/Volvo/Mazda did with the Euro Focus/S40/Mazda 3. Three distint cars born of the same chasis.
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