Lincoln MKZ Concept (NAIAS 2012)

[Fev]

I like some design cues and the interior is swish but this car will fail :(

[turboxf]

The little car , that actually looks bigger , is a very clever design, it even looks better in the metal pic s at the expo

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

[Polyal]

You know what it needs, something "typical" Lincoln...suicide doors. Being serious, would make it unique and enhance the experience of owning a Lincoln.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Polyal

You know what it needs, something "typical" Lincoln...suicide doors. Being serious, would make it unique and enhance the experience of owning a Lincoln.

They should have just built this:

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Wretched

They should have just built this:

image

[Chilliman]

Lincoln will never seriously challenge the likes of Lexus/BMW/Mercedes/Audi or even Cadillac without a RWD flagship......I wonder where in the Ford empire they could find one of those hint, hint

[350125GO]

WHy do Lincoln insist on this disgusting grill design??? like a fat sperm whale... the rest of the car looks tops.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by 350125GO

WHy do Lincoln insist on this disgusting grill design??? like a fat sperm whale... the rest of the car looks tops.

Its lincoln's trade mark grill, first seen way back in the 1930's

[imugli]

Originally Posted by Wretched

They should have just built this:

image

'63 Conti. *DROOL*

A modern take on this is WELL overdue.

[b055m4n]

Yer right FORD US give it to the boys at Broadmeadows they can finish it properly instead of half a job you clowns.

[350125GO]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Its lincoln's trade mark grill, first seen way back in the 1930's

I know, but its still revolting?

[The Stylist]

Originally Posted by b055m4n

Yer right FORD US give it to the boys at Broadmeadows they can finish it properly instead of half a job you clowns.

Well, it actually was penned by an Aussie by the name of Max Wolff.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by The Stylist

Well, it actually was penned by an Aussie by the name of Max Wolff.

Ex holden...

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by The Stylist

Well, it actually was penned by an Aussie by the name of Max Wolff.

He's only been in the job less than 6 months, this would not have been his work. He may have had a slight influence on it, but could only work with what his collegues had done before he got there.

[fou_bleu]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

He's only been in the job less than 6 months, this would not have been his work. He may have had a slight influence on it, but could only work with what his colleagues had done before he got there.

No, the MKZ was his first total car, after refreshing the MKS and MKT...

[BroncosXR8]

I like it from the A pillar back especially the rear, not the greatest fan of the bonnet and grill either. If only there was a RWD platform :(

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by 4RD4TW

No, the MKZ was his first total car, after refreshing the MKS and MKT...

You can't design a whole car from scratch in less than 6 months. Full designs take at least 12-18 months from start to finish I thought.

[fou_bleu]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

You can't design a whole car from scratch in less than 6 months. Full designs take at least 12-18 months from start to finish I thought.

Being Director of Design even before the Lincoln studio opened, I'd hazard a guess that he a very heavy input into it - this is the first Lincoln out of the new shop.

[Bossxr8]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2577ED0000D2E0

He's been there longer than I thought. Started Jan 3 2011.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

You can't design a whole car from scratch in less than 6 months. Full designs take at least 12-18 months from start to finish I thought.

Originally Posted by 4RD4TW

Being Director of Design even before the Lincoln studio opened, I'd hazard a guess that he a very heavy input into it - this is the first Lincoln out of the new shop.

No doubt the frame and glasshouse were set but that still leaves a lot of creative changes possible on skin surfaces...

[turboxf]

Wow that link has some good star cars Wolfe has been involved with at GM

Seeing that he has been there a while at the new design centre , this MKZ must be his baby

[Falc'man]

A little less limp-wristed than recent attempts; It's got some "fat" in it, which is good. Getting there. Interior is tops.

[b055m4n]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Ex holden...

ha..ha ...lol..ok to much information.

[Wretched]

Production version unveiled

EW YORK, April 2, 2012 – The all-new Lincoln MKZ makes its debut at the New York International Auto Show, marking a key milestone in Lincoln's reinvention.

"The new Lincoln MKZ represents the future of Lincoln in both style and substance," said Jim Farley, Group Vice President, Global Marketing, Sales and Service. "It is proof of our commitment to deliver a new breed of Lincolns for a new generation of Lincoln clients – motor cars that are distinctive, elegant, full of technology and a delight to own."

The 2013 Lincoln MKZ enters the midsize luxury segment later this year.

> It is the first Lincoln created by a dedicated team in its new Lincoln Design Studio

> With a sweeping profile, MKZ incorporates one of the world's widest-opening retractable glass roofs

> Lincoln Drive Control offered as an intelligent system that delivers a refined ride and engaging driving dynamics. Standard Lincoln Drive Control intuitively integrates multiple systems (engine, transmission, body and chassis) to deliver totally new Lincoln driving quality

> Innovations include a distinct Push Button Shift gear selector creates flowing and architectural center console design

> A quiet, well-appointed interior is provided by standard Active Noise Control, genuine wood trim, full LCD instrumentation, heated front seats and SYNC® with MyLincoln Touch™

> MKZ is offered with a choice of three powerful, efficient powertrains, including a next-generation hybrid expected to ensure the MKZ remains America's most fuel-efficient premium sedan

> Class-exclusive inflatable rear safety belts that supplement eight standard airbags are available

Camera- and Radar-Based Driving Aids

The new Lincoln MKZ offers the Lane Keeping System, a suite of advanced driving aids that helps drivers avoid drifting from their lane due to distraction or fatigue. Consisting of Lane Keeping Aid, Lane Keeping Alert and Driver Assist, the Lane Keeping System utilizes a mono-vision camera integrated into the rearview mirror to read the lane markers ahead. For a more complete description of the Lane Keeping System, click HYPERLINK "http://media.lincoln.com/images/10031/13MKZ_Lane_Keeping.pdf" here.

Available radar-based (ultrasonic) driving aids further enhance the driving experience. Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support each use a long-range radar system that scans in front of the vehicle, automatically adjusting to traffic speed and providing a visual and audible alert when a potential front end collision is detected.

Active park assist, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with cross-traffic alert use multiple short-range wide-angle radar sensors. Each function provides a distinct benefit, ranging from making parallel parking easier to warning of oncoming vehicles while backing out of a parking space.

SYNC with MyLincoln Touch

SYNC with MyLincoln Touch is standard in the new MKZ. The combined system makes it easier to use the entertainment, climate and available navigation features as well as devices brought into the car (e.g., phones, PDA, MP3 players). Twin five-way controls on the steering wheel manage essential systems, and many functions can be voice-activated via SYNC.

Standard SYNC Services make turn-by-turn directions available via one-button push and simple voice commands. Continually improving voice recognition software learns user voices, improving the efficiency of voice commands.

MKZ Dynamic Driving Technologies

The new MKZ offers Lincoln Drive Control as standard. Lincoln Drive Control is an automatic system that delivers an ideal balance of a smooth ride with confident handling as it intuitively responds to driver commands and the road, making the 2013 model the most refined and engaging MKZ ever.

Always on, Lincoln Drive Control orchestrates the performance of the Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) adjustable suspension, electric power-assisted steering (EPAS), engine, transmission, Active Noise Control (ANC), traction control and stability control systems.

The result is an unsurpassed combination of refined ride and engaging driving dynamics. CCD offers three modes (Sport/Normal/Comfort) that are accessible using MyLincoln Touch. Selecting "Sport" on the Push Button Shift gear selector enables a decidedly more sporty driving experience.

CCD contributes to Lincoln Drive Control's transparent action by monitoring the car's suspension settings up to 500 times per second. The real-time system adjusts the suspension up to 50 times per second to deliver more controlled handling with a smoother ride. CCD augments a highly developed chassis that includes a refined strut front suspension and an all new integral link rear suspension.

The new MKZ is the only sedan in its class to include Continuously Controlled Damping and Active Noise Control as standard equipment.

MKZ Engines, Transmissions and Drive Systems

The 2013 Lincoln MKZ offers three distinct powertrains. The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost delivers the performance of a traditional V6 along with expected segment-leading fuel economy that is at least 3 mpg better than the closest competitor. This engine delivers a projected 20-percent increase in highway fuel economy versus the 2012 MKZ.

Emphasizing performance and efficiency, the optional 3.7-liter V6 produces significantly more power (37 horsepower and 28 lb.-ft. of torque) than the previous MKZ V6 while improving fuel economy approximately 5 percent.

Maximizing fuel efficiency, the optional 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain is expected to enable the 2013 MKZ Hybrid to remain North America's most fuel-efficient premium sedan. The 2012 MKZ Hybrid is rated at 41 city mpg, 36 highway mpg.

Non-hybrid models utilize a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel add to the performance driving experience of the MKZ.

2.0- and 3.7-liter gasoline engines are equipped with six-speed automatic transmission; 2.0-liter Hybrid is equipped with a continuously variable transmission. Horsepower, torque and fuel economy figures all are projected, not certified.

Improving grip on slippery roads, the available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system anticipates and adjusts the power delivery to the front and rear axles in as little as 16 milliseconds, faster than the blink of an eye.

The new MKZ is the only sedan in its class to offer inflatable second-row outboard seat belts. Rear-seat passengers – often children or mature passengers – can be more vulnerable to head, chest and neck injuries. The available inflatable second-row, outboard seat belts spread impact forces across more than five times the area of conventional belts, reducing pressure on the chest while helping to control head and neck motion and helping reduce the risk of injuries.

Retractable Panoramic Roof

The Retractable Panoramic Roof is a new signature feature for Lincoln. The 15.2-square-foot glass panel offers one of the largest openings available on any current sedan. The design maintains the structural strength of a steel-roof vehicle.

DESIGN

Nearly identical to the MKZ Concept shown at the North American International Auto Show in January, the production 2013 Lincoln MKZ embodies a design language that is subtly distinctive.

"We call it elegant simplicity," said Max Wolff, Lincoln Design director. "We wanted the new MKZ to be inviting and approachable. We moved away from traditional luxury cues and complex designs. We came up with something warm that is rich, yet still intentionally restrained."

MKZ Exterior

A sweeping roofline defines the new luxury sedan's profile. The steeply raked windshield and lengthened backlight make for a sleeker and more flowing appearance that is 10 percent more aerodynamic than the model it replaces. "The MKZ shape is a vision completed with just a few strokes," said Wolff.

Although strikingly modern, the design retains classic Lincoln design elements including a more refined interpretation of the split-wing grille, first seen on the 1938 Lincoln-Zephyr.

Rearview mirrors stand on door-mounted, sculpted pedestals. This fitment enables the front door glass to extend farther forward to improve visibility and to allow even more light into the interior.

The crafted headlamp assemblies include bright, energy-efficient LED lighting. The front headlights turn in sync with the steering wheel, providing enhanced visibility. At the rear, LED technology enabled a thin, distinctive full-width taillamp graphic.

MKZ Interior

Design teams created an inviting interior featuring bold architectural elements, rich natural materials and fine details.

"The exterior's front graphic is repeated in the dramatic sweep of the new instrument panel, helping tie the interior to the exterior in a harmonious manner. These flowing forms – along with the open center console – create a comfortable and functional interior that particularly appeals to younger, more diverse drivers we believe will now consider Lincoln," said Wolff.

Innovation and technology abound inside the new MKZ. Replacing the traditional mechanical transmission shift lever is a contemporary five-button interface. The individual buttons of Push Button Shift engage Park, Neutral, Reverse, and forward gears in two modes, Drive and Sport.

Push Button Shift gave designers freedom to create a sculptural multi-level center console with more functional storage areas.

Positioned ahead of the driver, the full-color 10.1-inch LCD instrument cluster operates with the latest version of SYNC with MyLincoln Touch. The all-new design combines dimensional indicator rings framing a brilliant and reconfigurable Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD. An equally critical component of MyLincoln Touch is the nearly flush-mounted center 8-inch LCD touch screen that displays information clearly in easy-to-reference color-keyed quadrants.

Premium-grade, supple leather covers all seating surfaces. Responsibly harvested wood and metal-toned surfaces create a luxurious and comfortable interior space.

Standard luxury amenities include an 11-speaker audiophile entertainment system and cabin air filtration, plus heated front seats (with the driver's featuring 10-way power controls), remote start capabilities and Active Noise Control.

To make the MKZ exceptionally quiet, ANC electronically targets frequencies and reduces their intensity. To improve the refinement of the driving experience, other frequencies are subtly enhanced.

The available THX® II Certified Car Audio System is a Lincoln-exclusive that features 700-watts, 14-channels and 14-speakers. THX audio engineers spent more than 200 hours custom tuning the THX-certified equipment to the new MKZ's interior. The result delivers home-theater surround sound to the road.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/02/2...or-production/

[Polyal]

OK so it has grown on me. Now thats what I call a premium sound system FoA!

[tranquilized]

The interior is stunning.

Dont like the exterior though.. Too slab sided, too much like a hatchback, too short-a-hood for a premium look.

[Chilliman]

No Hot-Rod Lincoln?

I see no mention of the 3.5Litre EcoBoost V6 as an engine option in that Autoblog article; only the 2.0Litre Ecoboost I4, 2.0Litre Hybrid and 3.7Litre V6 NA.

[Chilliman]

[QUOTE=Chilliman]No Hot-Rod Lincoln?

I see no mention of the 3.5Litre EcoBoost V6[QUOTE]


Oh wait, that's the MKS to me!

[bmorris]

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/538...n-mkz-revealed

Ford's Lincoln prestige brand has been rebooted, and this is the first all-new model in the coming revolution: the MKZ.

It was penned by an Aussie, but you won't see it in Australia. Speaking at the unveiling of the MKZ concept earlier this year, design boss and former Melbourne boy Max Wolff confirmed that the reborn Lincoln brand is not bound for our shores.

In the US - and so here, if GM's plans had not been shelved back in 2009 - Lincoln is the traditional rival for the Cadillac brand, coming under the Ford umbrella after financial troubles forced into bankruptcy in 1922.




(It's worth noting that Cadillac was formed by the Henry Ford Company after Ford himself was ousted, leading him to found the Ford Motor Company that we know today.)

The styling of the new MKZ carries over largely unchanged from the concept revealed in Detroit, with the standout wing-like grille and headlights all-but identical to their showcar form.






The roofline of MKZ concept has also escaped untouched in the transition to market, with the practical sedan-styled glasshouse tapering off into a coupe-like C-pillar and short rear deck.

Powertrains in the MKZ range include Ford's familiar 177kW 2.0 litre and 223kW 3.7 litre V6 EcoBoost engines, along with a hybrid model that pairs the 2.0 litre engine with an electric motor.

All-wheel-drive configurations are available for both of the non-hybrid models, and six-speed automatic transmissions are standard for both. In hybrid form, a CVT automatic transmission is the only option.

Australia

While we'll unlikely to ever see the MKZ or the rest of its Lincoln brethren in Australia, the MKZ's Ford-badged platform mate - the next-generation Mondeo - is due here in 2013, driven by the same 177kW EcoBoost engine.

[Danny]

More hideousness, chrome, stupid grills, sky high hip lines, long boots, slab sides, tiny wheels that dont fill the wheel arches (like a toyota) and gauche irrelevance from the US.

I hate it. It will attract Paulie Walnuts, Vito Ciferetto, Johnny Sack, and the rest of the Soprano wannabe Goombah's, along with Retired Jewish dudes in Miami.

Thats all Lincoln and Caddilac is, provides chrome mafia wagons for immigrants wanting to show off how much money they make, via the cheapest tackiest vehicle possible...

Give me a lovely, spunky looking, well engineered Ford Europe car any day.