Lincoln MKC Debuts 2.3L Ecoboost

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Much like Jeremy Clarkson and the Vauxhall Vectra, the Lincoln MKZ will forever live in infamy in TTAC lore, but I’m a little more optimistic for the MKC, whch is set to bow at next week’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

As we discovered on the Jeep Cherokee drive, the 2.0L Ecoboost Ford Escape is a wonderful drive – and the MKC, which shares its underpinnings with the Escape, will get the two-point-oh as its base engine. Optional on the MKC will be the long-rumored 2.3L version, making 275 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque (this engine is also expected to appear in the 2015 Mustang).

An all-new interior (including a funky-looking angled center stack) and the bespoke engine help differentiate the MKC from the Escape – unlike the MKZ, which many felt to be a visual downgrade from the Fusion, the Lincoln design language appears to work quite well with the crossover shape. A good thing, since this car will be crucial in China, Lincoln’s next big expansion target.





Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • LeeK LeeK on Nov 14, 2013

    I like it. The Escape's interior is a little funky and probably won't age well. The Lincoln's reworking looks classy. This segment of the car market is a tremendously important one for all auto makers. For Ford, Having an upscale version of their popular compact CUV is a very wise offering as customers continue to eschew traditional sedans and migrate to smallish CUVs instead. I know this drives many TTAC posters insane, but the market goes where it goes and this looks like it could be an excellent step for restoring Lincoln's battered image.

  • Domestic Hearse Domestic Hearse on Nov 14, 2013

    Winner! Already on the shopping list. I'd like Sajeev to hold it up to the new Lincoln design language (thank goodness "krill mouth" is being phased out) and perhaps compare-contrast to the Ford donor vehicle. My wife (the good doctor) is a petite size zero and doesn't like to drive big cars - they don't fit her. Not that she doesn't like midsize and up, it's just she doesn't like to drive 'em. For instance, she found our recent rental, a Maxima, to be just a tad too large for her comfort. Decided a small AWD CUV is her next ride, and she's seen the new Cherokee in the flesh and likes it (it truly is better in person - and please, no "not a real Jeep" comments. I had moderately lifted YJ for years. My wife wants nothing to do with "real Jeeps" after that.) This little number from Lincoln will join the Cherokee on the consideration list this summer.

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    • Lie2me Lie2me on Nov 15, 2013

      @bball40dtw If resale trends continue these will be a bargain in the used car market

  • ToolGuy Honda was robbed.
  • ToolGuy "Honey, someone is trying to cross the moat again"
  • Rochester "better than Vinfast" is a pretty low bar.
  • TheMrFreeze That new Ferrari looks nice but other than that, nothing.And VW having to put an air-cooled Beetle in its display to try and make the ID.Buzz look cool makes this classic VW owner sad 😢
  • Wolfwagen Is it me or have auto shows just turned to meh? To me, there isn't much excitement anymore. it's like we have hit a second malaise era. Every new vehicle is some cookie-cutter CUV. No cutting-edge designs. No talk of any great powertrains, or technological achievements. It's sort of expected with the push to EVs but there is no news on that front either. No new battery tech, no new charging tech. Nothing.
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