BORG Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 (edited) The covers come off! 2013 Lincoln MKZ Officially Introduced Lincoln MKZ Forum.com – The new Lincoln MKZ Concept, revealed today at the North American International Auto Show, signals a significant step in Lincoln’s reinvention, providing a clear vision of its next-generation vehicles. “With the Lincoln MKZ Concept, we are not introducing a new car. We are essentially introducing a new brand,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford Motor Company group 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.” Lincoln MKZ Concept: Exterior The MKZ Concept strongly hints at the production model arriving in dealerships later this year, as well as Lincoln’s design future. “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.” (View a video highlighting the main design elements of the Lincoln MKZ Concept here.) Warm hues are evident in every aspect of the new vehicle’s Cognac-colored exterior. The deep finish is achieved with a rich base coat covered in multiple layers of tinted clear-coat finishes. By retaining key, recognizable brand design elements, the MKZ Concept remains clearly identifiable as a Lincoln. One example is the more refined interpretation of the split-wing grille, introduced on the 1938 Lincoln-Zephyr. The sedan’s profile is dominated by a long, sleek and sweeping roofline that allows the design to break away from the traditional sedan three-box shape. The lengthening of the roofline enables a more flowing, elegant and more naturally aerodynamic appearance. (Access Lincoln MKZ Concept specifications here.) A panoramic glass roof spans uninterrupted from the windshield to the top of the backlight. Integrated into the sedan’s aluminum and boron steel superstructure, the fixed-glass expanse extends to the side roof rails of the cabin, creating an airy, open interior. LED technology enabled an extremely thin and distinctive full-width taillamp graphic. Exhaust tips are cleanly integrated into the rear fascia. Lincoln MKZ Concept: Interior The Lincoln MKZ Concept’s four-seat interior is open, warm and inviting. “The front graphic is repeated in the dramatic sweep of the instrument panel, helping tie the interior to the exterior. These flowing forms create a comfortable and functional interior that particularly appeals to the younger, more diverse customers we are targeting,” said Wolff. Innovative interior features include push-button transmission gear selection, an open, tiered center console and liquid crystal instrumentation. The reconfigurable 10.1-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD positioned ahead of the driver operates with the latest version of MyLincoln Touch™ as does the nearly flush-mounted center 8-inch LCD touch screen. Responsibly harvested poplar wood, aluminum in bright and satin finishes as well as leather help create a sculptural, luxurious and comfortable interior space. Champagne-colored leather seats with dark taupe accents feature a champagne perforation pattern, so-called because the perforations on the seat backs conjure the image of champagne bubbles rising from the bottom of a glass. Lincoln MKZ Concept: Engineering The Lincoln MKZ Concept is a styling study that rides on an all-new midsize platform. The sedan is capable of utilizing multiple powertrain options in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. Like the recently introduced MKS and MKT with EcoBoost™, the Lincoln MKZ Concept features Lincoln Drive Control and the sophisticated Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) adjustable suspension. (Click here for information on these Lincoln technologies and here for background on the Lane Keeping System, another feature integrated into the MKZ Concept.) The Business of Lincoln “Lincoln is an important part of our company’s success,” said Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company president of The Americas. “The luxury piece of the industry is significant. In any given year in the U.S., the luxury segment is 11 to 13 percent of overall sales, and it is important for us to win customers in the luxury market with strong new vehicles. That is a key reason we have invested so heavily in Lincoln.” During the past 14 months, Lincoln has built a dedicated team – including designers, engineers, quality and manufacturing experts as well as marketing and sales leaders. The team includes people from luxury brands, some outside of automotive. “This team wakes up every morning thinking about Lincoln – and only Lincoln,” Fields said. “These are the people committed to delivering world-class vehicles with a customer experience to match.” Many of the new team members begin working this year in the all-new Lincoln Design Studio in Dearborn, Mich. Under Wolff’s direction, construction of the 40,000-square-foot studio began in early 2011 and ultimately will house more than 180 modelers, engineers, stylists and designers in a space that encourages creativity and collaboration. “This is the first time Lincoln has had its own studio since the 1970s,” said Wolff. “Having our own space is critical to the continued development of the brand. We are passionate about creating beautiful, even seductive, vehicles – and the MKZ Concept marks just the beginning.” Edited January 10, 2012 by staff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 The interior is absolutely gorgeous, but I can't help but seeing the steering wheel as ET smiling. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 (edited) As Gloria pointed out over at GMI... the "leaked" photo is simply a chop of the MKR concept: BORG says it isn't, and he's seen it. Edited January 10, 2012 by PREMiERdrum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 As Gloria pointed out over at GMI... the "leaked" photo is a chop of the MKR concept: It's not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 It's not. So the wheel and greenhouse angles being identical is coincidental? Or a nod to the MKR concept? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yahforseth Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 It's not. BORG, do you happen to know why the initial MKZ rear previewed in the NYTimes Maxx Wolfe article has different wheels than this leaked image? I like the ones in the Maxx Wolfe photo much more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 (edited) BORG, do you happen to know why the initial MKZ rear previewed in the NYTimes Maxx Wolfe article has different wheels than this leaked image? I like the ones in the Maxx Wolfe photo much more. One is the production prototype, this is the concept...although I never saw the NYT vehicle...that's what I'm told. But the back-end of the NYT vehicles does not look exactly like the concept. Edited January 10, 2012 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Could be Gloria's right. Those wheels . . . look way too worked over, muddled, IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 (edited) Keep in mind the production MKZ debuts in March, this concept was ordered very last minute. Ford has been showing around the production prototype (which we've also seen on the road). Edited January 10, 2012 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBirdStangSkyliner Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 So, which of the two cars looks better? I'd say the MKR by quite a bit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Could be Gloria's right. Those wheels . . . look way too worked over, muddled, IMHO. I trust BORG on this one, but the similarities between the 2 photos are mind-boggling to me. Why work to perfectly emulate a press photo of a 5 year old concept car you never got around to building? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 I trust BORG on this one, but the similarities between the 2 photos are mind-boggling to me. Why work to perfectly emulate a press photo of a 5 year old concept car you never got around to building? Actually they are very dissimilar in hundreds of ways, I don't see the comparison. It would be one wicked hard photoshop to get this clever and non-obvious. And if you want real-world proof of the concept photo leaked, here's the car on the display with the same wheels and red paint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBirdStangSkyliner Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Actually they are very dissimilar in hundreds of ways, I don't see the comparison. It would be one wicked hard photoshop to get this clever and non-obvious. And if you want real-world proof of the concept photo leaked, here's the car on the display with the same wheels and red paint. I was surprised to see a little flab under the cloaking. I would have expected younger, leaner imagery. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2005Explorer Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 I would have expected younger, leaner imagery. Younger and leaner isn't exactly Lincoln's demographic is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Younger and leaner isn't exactly Lincoln's demographic is it? I would certainly use those words to describe the 2 "both professionals" shown... :shades: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 (edited) The "booth babes" are making a comeback thanks to Fiat . Although there is a huge difference between the gorgeous ladies we see here, and the ones at Fiat. Edited January 10, 2012 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbalek Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 (edited) BORG, do you happen to know why the initial MKZ rear previewed in the NYTimes Maxx Wolfe article has different wheels than this leaked image? I like the ones in the Maxx Wolfe photo much more. So this must be a production prototype!? Edited January 10, 2012 by hbalek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted January 10, 2012 Author Share Posted January 10, 2012 So this must be a production prototype!? Yes it is, which now makes perfect sense since it has all the niggling details that a production car should have and a concept wouldn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Okay, so someone break the embargo already! Just post the pictures here, we'll never tell!:worm: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBirdStangSkyliner Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Okay, so someone break the embargo already! Just post the pictures here, we'll never tell!:worm: Here it is, embargo broken, the latest Lincoln concept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TBirdStangSkyliner Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Autoblog just put up a series of pictures. I'm just not liking the front-end or the roof-line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boss444 Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 (edited) AB Edited January 10, 2012 by Boss444 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2005Explorer Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 There is your concept: http://carfanaticsforum.com/thread-12283.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 Looks a little thick, but the front and side detailing is exquisite. The rear? I'm not sold, yet.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ds91776 Posted January 10, 2012 Share Posted January 10, 2012 YES! The "leaked" front end from LA is from the MKZ. I'm in love with the interior, proportions, and the back light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.