Lincoln Stepping Up? | 2010 MKT | **C Concept** (post 13)

[Keef]

It's kinda like walking in Cadillac's footsteps.

Welllll...it's not quite the MKT Concept...

...but then, they never are just like the Concept. It must be the wheels.




Anyway, I like it. It's slightly awkward looking, and I think the concept definitely is better, but when you face the fact that it's based on the same stuff as the Ford Flex and yet looks nothing like it, it's impressive. Hopefully the Fusion/Milan/MKZ trio are the last of Ford's thinly disguised badge-engineering habit.

Also, EcoBoost. Apparenlty the engine is tuned more "lazily" than in the Flex, which means big torque from a much lower RPM--in this case 1500 as opposed to 3500:

Right from the start of production, the Lincoln MKT will be available with the much anticipated 3.5 liter Ecoboost V6, which means a twin-turbocharged 350 HP at 5400 RPM and 350 lb-ft of torque from 1500 RPM. Yes you can get the lesser 3.7 liter V6 with an adequate 267 HP at 4250 RPM and 268 lb-ft at 5000 RPM, but compare that power profile with the Ecoboost and it'll probably feel a lot more anemic than it is. Both mills get hooked up to six speed automatic transmission which can be had with steering wheel mounted thumb shifters, if you aren't Jeremy Clarkson. Power can be routed through the front wheels or all wheels, depending on what options you check off.

So it's got all the goods to be competitive. We've yet to get pics of the interior, though. Hopefully that will be on par with its big power and distinctive, interesting design, and let's hope that it all adds up to a winner.

EDIT: Thank goodness Lincoln got over that egg crate grille quickly. Schwoo!

EDIT 2: Assuming Cadillac builds the next Escalade on the Traverse/Acadia/Outlook/Enclave platform, what will come of the MKT? Is it suited to compete with that sort of Escalade? The Flex certainly competes with the Traverse, Outlook, and Acadia. Or is Lincoln more of the Buick competitor? I don't think they're quite ready to step up to Caddy's game, but they seem to be inching forward, and I like it.

 

[bergauk]

Get rid of the rear end and front end put something that doesn't look hideous there instead. Otherwise, I do like the lines the car has. But I think Lincolns going in the wrong direction.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

267 HP at 4250 RPM and 268 lb-ft at 5000 RPM

This is physically impossible.

 

[Tornado]

It should be 6250.

Anyways, I'd rather have the Flex. This reminds me too much of the Venza.

 

[Bones Brigade]

it looks terrible

 

[TheCracker]

How truly truly awful it looks

 

[ND4SPD]

Wow that thing is hideous!

 

[Moglet]

I like it! The front grille could do with being made a tiny bit more narrow and the wheels are hideous, but I really like the rest. I'm imagining how good it would look in white with black wheels!

 

[McLaren]

That rear is gross.

 

[buickgnx88]

I always seem to be the opposite of everyone here when it comes to concepts, because I think this looks amazing (minus the grille of course)!

 

[Bones Brigade]

China: now infiltrating American auto companies to bring you French knockoffs.

 

[JCE]

The rear is less than stellar, but the rest is brilliant!

 

[Keef]

C Concept​

Fancy flowery designs on the upholstery.

It's extremely interesting. Apparently it's based on the Euro Focus chassis and is that long, but is as wide as the Fusion/Milan/MKZ. It fits six comfortably. This is also a very distinct design that I've never seen on American roads. I think it looks fantastic.

Featuring a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine and Ford's all-new dry, dual-clutch PowerShift six-speed transmission, the Lincoln C concept achieves 43 mpg on the highway, while offering up an impressive 180 horsepower and 180 ft.-lbs. of torque. PowerShift and outstanding driving dynamics make the Lincoln C concept fun for the driver.

Yes, this would be the EcoBoost four-cylinder that everyone has been wanting to hear about. Much smaller than I figured, at 1.6L. The fact that it churns out 180lb-ft of torque is astonishing; my naturally aspirated 1.6 in the Si makes 160hp and 111lb-ft. And manages just over 30mpg!

 

[Philly]

MKT:
The thing looks HUUUGE in the first pic.
What an awful rear end.
Yet it looks like they tried to make the front look car sized.

I could see it as a competitor to the Enclave. I wonder if it'll sell. Brand new Lincolns seem to be getting rarer and rarer on the streets these days.

This is also a very distinct design that I've never seen on American roads. I think it looks fantastic.

There is a reason only Renault makes that rear end and only sells it in Europe.

 

[McLaren]

That's even worse!

 

[Sage]

Regarding the MKT: Could they possibly have made the grille any larger? Oh, and, the back reminds me of a Dalek. With that big grille on the front, I can just see this thing on a street going Exxxterminate! Exxxterminate!

 

[Freddie]

They look french. Especially the last one. However, there's trouble brewing when a fancy new car design language reminds people of a different brand. There could have been the Renault diamond wedged in between those inlets and I wouldn't be left wondering why.

At least there's an ocean between Lincoln's and Renault's markets.

 

[bergauk]

So wait. Did Lincoln just send Renault a Focus chassis and say "build us a car"? Cuase thats what It looks like.

What ever happened to Lincoln making nice things?
Like the Mark VIII

Or the Aviator of recent years?

I thought Lincoln was the luxury brand of FoMoCo, not the ugly brand.

 

[YSSMAN]

RE: MKT

I'm not a huge fan of the design, but I understand their need for a crossover in their lineup. Overall, I think I'm going to have to be convinced that it is that much better than the Flex. The Ford looks better, certainly, but if the interior isn't leaps and bounds ahead of the Ford... Its hard to make a clear argument in the Lincoln's favor.

EDIT 2: Assuming Cadillac builds the next Escalade on the Traverse/Acadia/Outlook/Enclave platform, what will come of the MKT?

Hmmm. Considering that the Lambda-based Escalade would probably be larger than the MKT, we'd have to wait and see what Ford does with the Expedition-based Navigator. Given how good the MKS actually is, even before EcoBoost, it seems like they're in striking distance of Cadillac... For the first time since the early '90s. But, I follow your point. The safe bet is going to be matching Lincoln up against Buick, certainly a fight between the LaCrosse and MKS being extremely interesting here in the near-future.

I give a lot of credit for Ford for finally focusing on Lincoln again, and they're nearly there. But they've got a long way to go before the brand can be considered a true competitor to BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, and Jaguar again.

 

[Jim Prower]

Uh...when did Ford take inspiration from the French? That...is wierd.

Then again, people said the Gremlin and Pacer were wierd...

 

[JCE]

I really like that C concept. I can see a toned down version of that selling, especially with the EcoBoost I4. If they can tweak it to produce 200bhp it could be one hell of a quick car.