MKZ 2013 Lincoln MKZ Concept

[HighestOfHigh]

Lincoln will debut its redesigned 2013 MKZ on Tuesday morning at the Detroit Auto Show, but it's starting the strip tease today by posting a photo of what appears to be the car's rear deck lid and full-width tail-lamp on its Facebook page. The new MKZ will be a real test for how committed Ford is to differentiating Lincoln products from the Blue Oval-badged vehicles with which they share so many parts. We've already shown you a sneak peek of the 2013 Ford Fusion, which will be fully revealed first thing on Monday morning at the Detroit show. We'll have to wait until Tuesday morning, however, to find out how differentiated these two sister cars ultimately are.

- Lincoln teases 2013 MKZ on Facebook

 

[Shining Star]

I'm excited about this. Not sure if tomorrow's reveal will be for a production car or for a concept. Ford finally seems serious with Lincoln; looking forward to see what they have planned.

Nice stand, too.

Ford’s premium brand Lincoln has previewed its show stand for next week’s Detroit show, and judging from the looks of it, the brand is definitely aiming for an upscale image in the design of its display.The show stand’s exterior is modeled after upscale retail stores similar to the ones that line Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and Fifth Avenue in New York. Inside, it aims to give off an art gallery vibe, with premium art pieces by Detroit artists decorating the interior and a choreographed soundscape playing throughout. The six Lincoln models on display (MKS, MKT, MKZ and MKZ hybrid, MKX, and Navigator) will also be highlighted alongside the sculptures and abstract art, and a new Lincoln drive control feature will also allow guests to take a ride in the new 2013 MKS on an LED-lit floor that simulates road conditions. MyLincoln touch voice activation capabilities will be also demonstrated in a sound gallery.
Guests can then ascend to the second level that is made to resemble a swanky lounge, complete with plush leather couches and Edsel Ford’s restored 1934 Model 40 Special Speedster on display. Merchandise from the Lincoln Premier Collection will also be available for order. The entire stand measures 17,752 square feet, which is about 50 percent larger than last year’s show stand.
“This is the biggest statement Lincoln has ever made at an auto show,” says Max Wolff, Lincoln’s director of design. “Our [Detroit] display represents more than a vehicle debut. It represents the reinvention of Lincoln.”
Lincoln has expressed it will be stepping it up with the brand’s new design language, but let’s hope an over-the-top stand doesn’t steal the attention away from what it’s supposed to be showcasing: the cars.

Read more: Lincoln Previews Swanky-Looking Stand for Detroit - Rumor Central

 

[Mr Robert]

Given the interior of recent Lincolns, this could be a hit!

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Not sure how credible this is but....

 

[HighestOfHigh]

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Lincoln MKZ Concept gives sleeker shape to familiar face

Lincoln MKZ Concept: Future Vision Today

DETROIT, Jan. 10, 2012 – The new Lincoln MKZ Concept, revealed today at the North American International Auto Show, signals a significant step in Lincoln's reinvention, providing a clear vision of its next-generation vehicles.

"With the Lincoln MKZ Concept, we are not introducing a new car. We are essentially introducing a new brand," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford Motor Company group vice president for Global Product Development. "The MKZ Concept is the next step in the reinvention of Lincoln, something we've been quietly but aggressively pursuing."

Lincoln MKZ Concept: Exterior
The MKZ Concept strongly hints at the production model arriving in dealerships later this year, as well as Lincoln's design future.

"The MKZ Concept's shape is a vision of simplicity completed with just a few strokes," said Max Wolff, Lincoln design director. "Our movement as a brand is toward something we call elegant simplicity. It's something warmer and more restrained, which is moving away from complex designs and traditional luxury." (View a video highlighting the main design elements of the Lincoln MKZ Concept here.)

Warm hues are evident in every aspect of the new vehicle's Cognac-colored exterior. The deep finish is achieved with a rich base coat covered in multiple layers of tinted clear-coat finishes.

By retaining key, recognizable brand design elements, the MKZ Concept remains clearly identifiable as a Lincoln. One example is the more refined interpretation of the split-wing grille, introduced on the 1938 Lincoln-Zephyr. (Click here for image.)

The sedan's profile is dominated by a long, sleek and sweeping roofline that allows the design to break away from the traditional sedan three-box shape. The lengthening of the roofline enables a more flowing, elegant and more naturally aerodynamic appearance. (Access Lincoln MKZ Concept specifications here.)

A panoramic glass roof spans uninterrupted from the windshield to the top of the backlight. Integrated into the sedan's aluminum and boron steel superstructure, the fixed-glass expanse extends to the side roof rails of the cabin, creating an airy, open interior. (Click here for gallery.)

LED technology enabled an extremely thin and distinctive full-width taillamp graphic. Exhaust tips are cleanly integrated into the rear fascia.
Lincoln MKZ Concept: Interior
The Lincoln MKZ Concept's four-seat interior is open, warm and inviting. "The front graphic is repeated in the dramatic sweep of the instrument panel, helping tie the interior to the exterior. These flowing forms create a comfortable and functional interior that particularly appeals to the younger, more diverse customers we are targeting," said Wolff.

Innovative interior features include push-button transmission gear selection, an open, tiered center console and liquid crystal instrumentation. The reconfigurable 10.1-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD positioned ahead of the driver operates with the latest version of MyLincoln Touch™ as does the nearly flush-mounted center 8-inch LCD touch screen.

Responsibly harvested poplar wood, aluminum in bright and satin finishes as well as leather help create a sculptural, luxurious and comfortable interior space. Champagne-colored leather seats with dark taupe accents feature a champagne perforation pattern, so-called because the perforations on the seat backs conjure the image of champagne bubbles rising from the bottom of a glass.

Lincoln MKZ Concept: Engineering
The Lincoln MKZ Concept is a styling study that rides on an all-new midsize platform. The sedan is capable of utilizing multiple powertrain options in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations.

Like the recently introduced MKS and MKT with EcoBoost™, the Lincoln MKZ Concept features Lincoln Drive Control and the sophisticated Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) adjustable suspension. (Click here for information on these Lincoln technologies and here for background on the Lane Keeping System, another feature integrated into the MKZ Concept.)

The Business of Lincoln
"Lincoln is an important part of our company's success," said Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company president of The Americas. "The luxury piece of the industry is significant. In any given year in the U.S., the luxury segment is 11 to 13 percent of overall sales, and it is important for us to win customers in the luxury market with strong new vehicles. That is a key reason we have invested so heavily in Lincoln."

During the past 14 months, Lincoln has built a dedicated team – including designers, engineers, quality and manufacturing experts as well as marketing and sales leaders. The team includes people from luxury brands, some outside of automotive.

"This team wakes up every morning thinking about Lincoln – and only Lincoln," Fields said. "These are the people committed to delivering world-class vehicles with a customer experience to match."

Many of the new team members begin working this year in the all-new Lincoln Design Studio in Dearborn, Mich.
Under Wolff's direction, construction of the 40,000-square-foot studio began in early 2011 and ultimately will house more than 180 modelers, engineers, stylists and designers in a space that encourages creativity and collaboration.

"This is the first time Lincoln has had its own studio since the 1970s," said Wolff. "Having our own space is critical to the continued development of the brand. We are passionate about creating beautiful, even seductive, vehicles – and the MKZ Concept marks just the beginning."

- Lincoln MKZ Concept gives sleeker shape to familiar face

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

The rear and side profile, especially the C-pillar, gives off this French avante-garde feel, kind of like a Citroen

 

[Mr Robert]

I like it. McLaren rear lights and a front that looks like something modern from Pontiac... but still, nice! And as expected, the interior delivers.

 

[Shining Star]

Looks great, especially the front and the interior, but Lincoln has always made good-looking concepts. Hopefully they can deliver this time with the production version.

 

[mini_cooper4]

I really haven't seen a car that ugly...
Interior is nice but wtf did happened with the exterior????

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Interior is nice but wtf did happened with the exterior????

Nothing! The car looks great...

Live photos...

 

[SKY]

Love that interior.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

 

[mini_cooper4]

It really needs bigger headlights

 

[HighestOfHigh]

 

[bombardier01]

I really haven't seen a car that ugly...
Interior is nice but wtf did happened with the exterior????

Actually.. i like it!
Pretty good for a Lincoln, very sleek, but it does need bigger headlights and more proportional grille not like the current line-up which is way too big.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Actually.. i like it!
Pretty good for a Lincoln, very sleek, but it does need bigger headlights and more proportional grille not like the current line-up which is way too big.

Bigger lights will make the car look really good

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

I really like how this looks, and even though it's a concept, i think the transition into production will be minimal. Interior is very nice. The only I knock I have for it is that it's FWD with the probable option of AWD. Nothing wronr with AWD, but if it was RWD with an EcoBoost 3.5L, i'd think it'd be nigh on perfect. This is the forst Lincoln concept since the Continental concept from wither late 1990's or early 2000's that I really like.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Well keep in mind that according to the press release this is not the production model. They will probably change a few things, but as long as they don't mess it up it should be good.

Thankfully it should look better than the current one...