LINCOLN MKR Concept

[*sasha ITALIA*]

When the Lincoln MKR concept is unwrapped at the Detroit Auto Show on January 7th, it will foretell the future look and powertrain of Lincoln.


No, the 21-inch chrome wheels will not make it to production. Neither will the four-door, four-seat concept’s center console, which is constructed from recycled wood and looks, unfortunately and (we presume) unintentionally like a bowling-ball ball return. Forget about the MKR's glass roof that’s supported by structural elements that form the shape of the Lincoln star logo.

Strip off all of that show-car filigree, however, and what you have is the future of Ford's historic but troubled luxury brand.

New Design Language
After a couple of decades lost in the proverbial design woods and several missteps, Lincoln now has defined seven exterior design cues or characteristics that define the look of Lincoln. According to Peter Horbury, Ford’s head of design for the Americas, Lincoln designers will choose from these seven defining Lincoln characteristics to create a family resemblance among the brand’s vehicles. Sometimes, designers will use three of the magic seven elements. Sometimes they will use five. Or more. Or less. The 415-horepower, rear-drive Lincoln MKR show car uses all seven of ‘em.

They are: 1. Clean and uncluttered body surfaces; 2. a powerful, dynamic beltline; 3. a chamfered surface running parallel to the beltline; 4. a twin-port “bow-wave” front grille inspired by the 1941 Continental Cabriolet; 5. thin, horizontal headlamps; 6. a substantial C-pillar that smoothly transitions into the roof; and 7. a pronounced roofrail.

That’s a lot of styling for a sedan that’s only about an inch longer than the departed Lincoln LS sedan, yet the MKR looks remarkably neat and tidy. And the chopped roof (the MKR is about four inches lower than an LS) gives the rear-driver a decidedly sporty appearance. Wheelbase measures 112.9-inches.

Sophisticated and Modern
"The Lincoln MKR Concept is sophisticated and modern, resembling an athlete - extremely strong and fit but looks elegant in a tuxedo," said Horbury. "This concept is the ultimate expression of elegant simplicity consistent with the world's best Lincolns, and this new design language will lead us forward in the growing premium segment."

In other words, Peter thinks his new car looks pretty cool. And he's right. Notice the lack of door handles, instead a button concealed in the chrome door trim springs open front-hinged "winged" doors, which Ford says are slightly inclined for additional sophistication and a touch of drama.

Once inside you're greeted with what Lincoln calls "cool, soothing Ice Blue lighting" which illuminates the gauges. Soothing? We figure it's there to take your mind off the cashmere covered soy-foam based seats and Mohair carpets?

Twin-Turbo V6
The powertrain is unexpectedly sporty too. It’s a twin-turbo version of Ford’s recently introduced 3.5-liter V-6 with direct-injection. Ford claims the MKR’s motor makes 415 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque and runs on E85 ethanol. A production version of this motor, called the TwinForce, will make it to production, but the double-throwdown chrome treatment it has received for auto show duty will not. Lincoln even went so far as to carry some of the sedan's cranberry red metallic paint under the hood.

A fully independent suspension, with MacPherson Struts up front, and Brembo 4-wheel disc brakes also jump off the MKR's spec sheet. Other interesting bits include 13 cubic feet of trunk space and 36.9-inches of rear head room, which are similar specs to the Mercedes-Benz CLS550.

See More in 2008
Lincoln’s next rear-wheel drive flagship sedan, which the company has said will be out in 2008, will borrow heavily from the MKR. The TwinForce engine and six-speed automatic transmission are sure to make production, but so will much of the MKR's silhouette and athletic proportions.

[superteodj]

Wow!
Sbaglio o sul tetto di vetro c'è il simbolo della lincoln?

[matteo1986]

E' sinuosa come un T-72

[djufuk87]

BLEAH

[supersayan]

guardandola dietro mi fa paura! (veramente)

[F1R3BL4D3]

Davanti non mi piace per la griglia troppo grande (riducendola sarebbe meglio).
Dietro proprio non ci siamo per me.
Interni i poggiatesti dei sedili sono la prima cosa che non mi piace a saltare all'occhio.

[Baltico]

muso: 3/10 griglia imho troppo ingombrante, fari sottodimensionati
vista laterale: 7/10 mi piace la linea
posteriore: 4.5/10 non è che sia proprio brutto ma non mi convince, taglio dei fari discutibile
interni: 5/10 materiali pregiati cazzi e mazzi ma i sedili sembrano sedie da ufficio del capo, la parte in radica presumo non mi piace come si sviluppa fino al baule [è rialzata poi?]

[K'dar]

personalmente non mi paice moltissimo, ma devo dire che fa il suo effetto
tipico stile americano, pesantino ma anche leggermente elegante

concordo con il frontale massiccio e la cosa un po' tronca.

[daemon]

è particolare non c'è dubbio
a me non piace troopo pesante e massiccia
a parte il muso che è fanatastico ( finalmente una fanaleria decente: sono stufo di vedere dei 32" come proiettori) cmq la vorrei vedere nera o blu notte