Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Lincoln MKZ Concept gives sleeker shape to familiar face

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/linco...photo-4728072/

The Lincoln brand has been in the doldrums for years now, but Ford's luxury arm is looking to stage a comeback (again) starting with the all-new Lincoln MKZ. The brand's mid-size offering will be arriving in dealerships later this year, and we're getting our first glimpse of what's to come with this, the MKZ Concept that makes its debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.

The MKZ Concept features an all-new clean sheet design that head designer Max Wolff calls "simplicity with just a few strokes." The MKZ continues to feature the latest version of Lincoln's split wing front fascia, with a pair of tidy, multi-unit LED lights that flow out out of the grille. The body side design features a sharp crease at the beltline that helps the concept look wider and more athletic, and looking at the MKZ concept in profile reveals a sweeping roofline that looks unique and refined. We're big fans of the svelte side mirrors, which are about as thick as a strip steak and completely independent from the A-pillar. The concept also features a stunning, full glass roof that integrates into the body structure.

Lincoln MKZ ConceptThe mirrors and the lightly tinted glass roof won't necessarily make their way to production (along with those oversized wheels), but the proportions of this MKZ is likely a spot-on match for the production model. Lincoln tells us that the concept features a 112-inch wheelbase – five inches shorter than the 2012 model. The concept is also wider than the 2012 model by more than an inch.

The extra length should allow for a lot more interior volume, but many concept models show off a cabin that is more Buck Rodgers than production-ready. That's not the case with the MKZ concept, as Lincoln chose to show off duds that are likely very close to the model we'll soon find in dealerships. Among the interesting touches are a dash that features rich materials and beautiful wood accents, a new steering wheel design that features perforated leather and a new take on MyLincoln Touch.

The center IP ditches the analog gauges in favor of a ten-inch thin film transistor LED instrument panel with sharp-looking graphics. The center stack shows of an eight-inch LCD screen with the now familiar MyLincoln Touch graphics, plus a touch-sensitive and ****-free set of HVAC controls. The most interesting part about the center console is the absence of a shift lever. Transmission controls are instead aligned vertically along the left edge of the stack, clearing up oodles of space for front row occupants. The center console also houses the push-button start and glove box release buttons.

Ford hasn't given much information about the mechanicals under the hood of the concept vehicle, but the MKZ will feature the same Lincoln Drive Control and Continuously Controlled Damping adjustable suspension as the 2013 MKT and MKS.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/10/l...familiar-face/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

I like it

Grille is executed much better!

Vroomin350

iTrader: (28)

Wow, crazy how the first thing that ran through my mind at a glance of that picture was a hyundai genesis, looks good though

UDel

I like it, good looking design. Interior is nice too and looks production ready.

robloc93

I really like this, much better executed as someone previously mentioned. BTW, am I the only one who sees this, or is it just my artist eye, lol?..

VIPG35

iTrader: (6)

^^^ lol nice art work

Vroomin350

iTrader: (28)

Lmao that steering wheel and gauges does look like one happy *** car.

Fizzboy7

LOL! I see it too! I was just thinking how the this and the center stack in the new Fusion have an odd shape to them. These two dashboards seem to be two of the same.

The body is sleek, but yet another copy of another car we've all seen for years. Guesses? Toyota Avalon, especially around the d-pillar area. In a twist of fun and humor, this Lincoln shows what the Avalon could be if Toyota's designers were feeling a little loose one night.

UberNoob

lol good drawing

great design
front lights seems to be reminiscent of mazda 6

good grill design, much better than the current Lincolns

LexFather

Looks like a more bubbly Avalon to me. The amazing thing is 10-15 years ago there were some terrible luxury cars. Today its really hard to find a bad one. You may not like a cars looks, image, etc but rarely is a car bad.

I don't think this will beat the LaCrosse let alone the ES but hopefully they get a fair share of the pie. I think Lincoln needs to drop the Asian looking designs and go for something more American and butch ala 300C or so

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

^Me too. They had the right idea...a decade ago:

caddyowner

Sorry, but IMO with the new styling direction, Lincoln has gone from a bland afterthought to an ugly afterthought. Both the MKS and MKZ now look almost as ugly as the MKT. I predict we'll soon be saying "bye-bye" to another storied, but botched brand.

LexFather

Exactly Mike....they should use the old Continental for inspiration, that would make Lincoln stand out more than this grill they insist on using.

Caddy got the note. While the ATS ain't much different from the CTS they got the proportions right and it seems to be a good looking car and it looks like a new Caddy.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

looks more like an ES concept to me.