PREMiERdrum Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Some interesting peeks here. The visible taillight doesn't seem to go across the back end, but the article says it does. I wonder if this is a concept/production discrepency? Remember, the MKZ concept was first set to debut in LA with the production model at NAIAS. Now that everything got pushed back, I'm unsure of the timetable of the production car's debut if the concept is what's shown in Detroit. An interesting thing to point out, is that our best insight into this new MKZ didn't come from C/D, R&T, AN, or Wards. It came from access given to the New York Times. That speaks volumes to me, and it says good things about Lincoln "getting" the place they want to occupy in the market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinaw Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 What I find interesting is that anybody who has seen the MKZ has the same reaction as Rebecca Lindland, the analyst for IHS Automotive. "He (Wolff) is pushing them in a totally different direction,”.........“I almost fell over when I saw it.” Of course I still expect 50% of BON to hate the thing and the other 50% to say that it looks like a Fusion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 (edited) A concept version is a good way of making the production car look like shit, which also explains why everybody thinks it's sexy as frak when they've previewed the car. No thanks! But curiously, that does not look very concept-like, it even has those ugly reflector strips on the bumper which are usually ignored on concepts. Edited December 2, 2011 by BORG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 According to all the press material so far, it is a concept car. Hopefully one not very different from the production version though. I think its downright stupid to show a MKZ concept in January and then show the production car 3 months later at NY Auto show! WTF 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 (edited) I think its downright stupid to show a MKZ concept in January and then show the production car 3 months later at NY Auto show! WTF Lincoln is a pretty scatter-brain operation right now, they are probably rushing around trying to figure out how to patch things together last minute. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the result of very very very last minute changes to the MKZ design. The production prototypes look nothing like the front-end glimpsed at in LA and they probably don't have a new production ready prototype to show off in January. Or, it could be that they just need to set a different tone for the MKZ while the Fusion is being unveiled, since both cars share some sheet metal and a concept would do a better job obscuring the similarities. And I'm sure Lincoln doesn't want the MKZ upstaged by the Fusion if those similarities are acknowledged in the press and the MKZ is dismissed as another Fusion badge-over. Edited December 2, 2011 by BORG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spudz64 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 A concept version is a good way of making the production car look like shit, which also explains why everybody thinks it's sexy as frak when they've previewed the car. No thanks! But curiously, that does not look very concept-like, it even has those ugly reflector strips on the bumper which are usually ignored on concepts. Thats my fear, the concept may be too nice and progressive compared to the actual car. This happened when the showed the original MKZ (actual was a Zephyr then!) as a concept in 2005 that was very full-bodied and sharp, then the production car looked so unexciting. About the side reflectors, the Zephyr concept didnt have any of those details so this is promising! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 A concept version is a good way of making the production car look like shit, which also explains why everybody thinks it's sexy as frak when they've previewed the car. No thanks! But curiously, that does not look very concept-like, it even has those ugly reflector strips on the bumper which are usually ignored on concepts. I agree, side reflectors are noticably absent on concepts.....the only thing concept here is the wheels..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stpatrick90 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 (edited) Lincoln is a pretty scatter-brain operation right now, they are probably rushing around trying to figure out how to patch things together last minute. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the result of very very very last minute changes to the MKZ design. The production prototypes look nothing like the front-end glimpsed at in LA and they probably don't have a new production ready prototype to show off in January. Or, it could be that they just need to set a different tone for the MKZ while the Fusion is being unveiled, since both cars share some sheet metal and a concept would do a better job obscuring the similarities. And I'm sure Lincoln doesn't want the MKZ upstaged by the Fusion if those similarities are acknowledged in the press and the MKZ is dismissed as another Fusion badge-over. You should stop making this claim that you can't support. Unless you have seen both the new Fusion and MKZ completely uncloaked (which we know you haven't), you have no right to make this assertion based off prototypes that are heavily camouflaged. X-Ray vision doesn't exist. Edited December 2, 2011 by stpatrick90 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Go look at the Vertrek concept and the production Escape and tell me how different they are. They need to show people what Lincoln is capable of and where they are headed and there is no bigger stage than Detroit. Don't forget we were supposed to have seen the new MKZ last April. This will be a production MKZ in very thin guise with only minor differences - nothing like the Zephyr concept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Go look at the Vertrek concept and the production Escape and tell me how different they are. They need to show people what Lincoln is capable of and where they are headed and there is no bigger stage than Detroit. Don't forget we were supposed to have seen the new MKZ last April. This will be a production MKZ in very thin guise with only minor differences - nothing like the Zephyr concept. bingo...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 (edited) Here are the two images from the story btw. Edited December 2, 2011 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 vent frustration? As long as folks aren't projecting, sure. But yeah... lights may not make it into production, but that little bit of sheetmetal looks ready to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 As long as folks aren't projecting, sure. But yeah... lights may not make it into production, but that little bit of sheetmetal looks ready to me. Ask Borg - he can see through those covers.......... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 (edited) A concept version is a good way of making the production car look like shit, which also explains why everybody thinks it's sexy as frak when they've previewed the car. No thanks! But curiously, that does not look very concept-like, it even has those ugly reflector strips on the bumper which are usually ignored on concepts. I'm thinking that it is a near production ready concept car and even though Wolfe may have influence over the car, he was also hired well after the design work had been approved so his reworking could be making this version a bridge to what he really wants at the MCE.... Just my two cents... PS, I would love to see Wolfe develop a new top hat for Lincoln MKR and the Aussie Falcon. it would give Lincoln a CTS/CTS-V car at a fraction of the cost Cadillac spent on Sigma. Falcon's budget is so tight that we are only glimpsing the true potential of the car, Edited December 2, 2011 by jpd80 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I'm thinking that it is a near production ready concept car and even though Wolfe may have influence over the car, he was also hired well after the design work had been approved so his reworking could be making this version a bridge to what he really wants at the MCE.... Just my two cents... I think if it was just a "MCE" then it wouldn't have been delayed so long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I think if it was just a "MCE" then it wouldn't have been delayed so long. Do keep in mind that the sheetmetal and hardpoints where most likely set into place long before he came on board to Lincoln....I don't think they can totally redesign the sheetmetal in year..I can see the "soft" stuff like the Interior, Front and rear fascias, exterior stick on details can all be changed though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 (edited) I think if it was just a "MCE" then it wouldn't have been delayed so long. You missed what i said, this is the new car but since Wolfe was hired after it was started, I'm wondering if he was able to change the design as much as he wanted of if even more changes will come in a future MCE.. So long as the new styling is liked by Lincoln buyers and attracts more people to it, all will be well.. Do keep in mind that the sheetmetal and hardpoints where most likely set into place long before he came on board to Lincoln....I don't think they can totally redesign the sheetmetal in year..I can see the "soft" stuff like the Interior, Front and rear fascias, exterior stick on details can all be changed though. Exactly what I meant... Edited December 2, 2011 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosetang Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/02/business/ford-seeks-to-glamorize-lincoln-vehicles.html?_r=3&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1322800312-GSNxz5G7sd8O7DSUKSm5ug&pagewanted=all This is why I like you, Wes, you always bring the good news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Those images look slightly Mustangish. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Lover Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 You missed what i said, this is the new car but since Wolfe was hired after it was started, I'm wondering if he was able to change the design as much as he wanted of if even more changes will come in a future MCE.. From the linked article: Mr. Wolff has been given a free hand to revamp Lincoln, starting with a new version of its midsize MKZ sedan to be revealed at the Detroit auto show in January. The article makes no hedges about his late arrival or lack of ability to influence the design of the MKZ. In fact, just the opposite. Unless Ford starts issuing hedging statements closer to NAIAS, this is his baby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 I think if it was just a "MCE" then it wouldn't have been delayed so long. Fusion/MKZ is a new chassis, not an MCE. The over-all sheet metal on the MKZ was designed before Max arrived. He made some changes which is why the delay. Maybe on this MKZ's future MCE, some 2-3 years from now, we will see more of Max's direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Fusion/MKZ is a new chassis, not an MCE. The over-all sheet metal on the MKZ was designed before Max arrived. He made some changes which is why the delay. Maybe on this MKZ's future MCE, some 2-3 years from now, we will see more of Max's direction. I know exactly what it is and what MCE means. I was referring to jpd80s comment that since it was already in progress when Max arrived that this would represent more of a "MCE" in terms of how much could be changed. And what I'm saying is that if he was only making "MCE" like tweaks then it would have been ready a lot sooner. They did the new Taurus in 24 months. I think he made extensive changes and that's why it was delayed. Of course I could be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmm55 Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Those images look slightly Mustangish. Not sure what you mean by that.........but if you mean a sporty sedan with a long hood/short deck and good proportions, then sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wescoent Posted December 2, 2011 Author Share Posted December 2, 2011 This is why I like you, Wes, you always bring the good news. Haha, thanks. Since GMI's atrocious redesign, I can barely stomach trying to navigate that morass, so I think I'm going to try and participate more in this neck of woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted December 2, 2011 Share Posted December 2, 2011 Haha, thanks. Since GMI's atrocious redesign, I can barely stomach trying to navigate that morass, so I think I'm going to try and participate more in this neck of woods. bout time you pulled a Mitt Romney....glad to see you back on our side... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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