NAIAS: Lincoln MKZ Concept

by Jack Baruth

Published: January 10th, 2012

TTAC is lately to the party with the MKZ, and it’s my fault; I was delayed looking for parking outside Cobo this morning. Luckily, the Speed:Sport:Life crew was there to make up the gap. Zerin Dube took the photos, and the snark is courtesy of Byron Hurd:

“When I walked into Lincoln’s press conference this morning, I expected the message to be built on the distinctiveness of the MKZ and how little it resembles its Ford-branded platform mate. Instead, we were treated to a fifteen-minute lecture about the first-tier luxury manufacturers losing their way. Lincoln reckons it is the only company who knows what luxury car customers really expect from a buying experience–bespoke products, individualized treatment, small-scale dealerships that focus less on volume and more on service– and by golly, they think they just might be able to provide it. Some day.

As for the car itself, it is distinctly Lincoln, whatever “Lincoln” is these days. It looks nothing like the Fusion we saw yesterday, which is fortunate, because in the current market the Ford makes the Lincoln equivalent (key term) rather pointless. The rear end is sculpted and attractive, and Lincoln says this is a key component of their new design direction. The big Lincoln grilles are still featured prominently up front, which I guess is part of looking Lincoln. Many touches will likely be unique to the show car, but Lincoln insists the panoramic glass roof will reach production, though the execution will likely be different.”

Well, Byron, I think this car knocks the ATS on its ass. It looks simply splendid; only a front-end treatment that shared more with the ’64 Conti and less with the Blue Whale could improve it.

Jack Baruth

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2 of 96 comments

Disaster on Jan 11, 2012

The "Waterfall" grill, (though they changed the direction of the slats) has got to go. It is as ugly as the Acura Beak. Lincoln and Acura need to realize cars look better without HUGE amounts of chrome on their noses. Otherwise it's a handsome car.

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Mjz on Jan 11, 2012

Too bad it doesn't feature suicide doors like the classic Lincoln Continentals of the 60's. THAT would have made it a true modern Lincoln and given it a very distinctive feature not offered on other cars in its class.

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