When the Lincoln MKR concept is unwrapped at the 2007 Detroit auto show on January 7, it will foretell the future look and powertrain of Lincoln.
No, the 21-inch chrome wheels will not make it to production. Neither will the four-door, four-seat concept's center console, which is constructed from recycled wood and looks, unfortunately and (we presume) unintentionally like a bowling-ball return. Forget about the MKR's glass roof that's supported by structural elements that form the shape of the Lincoln star logo.
Strip off all of that show-car filigree, however, and what you have is the future of Ford's historic but troubled luxury brand.
New design language
While archrival Cadillac has reinvented itself with a line of distinctive, consistent and not always pretty sharp-edged, "Art & Science" vehicles, Lincoln has been badly lost in the proverbial design woods. For the last decade, the company released a mixed bag of motor vehicles, seemingly unrelated to one another. Meanwhile, the company unveiled a number of retro concepts, all of which looked like a '60s Continental and none of which related to the look of any Lincoln production vehicle.
With the MKR, Lincoln says it now has defined seven exterior design cues or characteristics that define the look of Lincoln. According to Peter Horbury, Ford's head of design for the Americas, Lincoln designers will choose from these seven defining Lincoln characteristics to create a family resemblance among the brand's vehicles. Sometimes, designers will use three of the magic seven elements. Sometimes they will use five. Or more. Or less. The 415-horsepower, rear-drive Lincoln MKR show car uses all seven of 'em.
They are: 1. clean and uncluttered body surfaces; 2. a powerful, dynamic beltline; 3. a chamfered surface running parallel to the beltline; 4. a twin-port "bow-wave" front grille inspired by the 1941 Continental Cabriolet; 5. thin, horizontal headlamps; 6. a substantial C-pillar that smoothly transitions into the roof; and 7. a pronounced roof rail.
That's a lot of styling for a sedan that's only about an inch longer than the departed Lincoln LS sedan, yet the MKR looks remarkably neat and tidy. And the chopped roof (the MKR is about 4 inches lower than an LS) gives the rear-driver a decidedly sporty appearance. The wheelbase measures 112.9 inches.
Sophisticated and modern
"The Lincoln MKR Concept is sophisticated and modern, resembling an athlete — extremely strong and fit but looks elegant in a tuxedo," said Horbury. "This concept is the ultimate expression of elegant simplicity consistent with the world's best Lincolns, and this new design language will lead us forward in the growing premium segment."
In other words, Peter thinks his new car looks pretty cool. And it does. Notice the lack of door handles; instead a button concealed in the chrome door trim springs open front-hinged "winged" doors, which Ford says are slightly inclined for additional sophistication and a touch of drama.
Later, Horbury described the MKR as looking, "like the train of an elegant gown." Why? We have no idea. Sometimes, designers just say things like that.
Once inside you're greeted with what Lincoln calls "cool, soothing Ice Blue lighting" which illuminates the gauges. Soothing? We figure it's there to take your mind off cashmere-covered soy-foam-based seats and Mohair carpets.
Twin-turbo V6
The powertrain is unexpectedly sporty, too. It's a twin-turbo version of Ford's recently introduced 3.5-liter V6 with direct injection. Ford claims the MKR's motor makes 415 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque and runs on E85 ethanol. A version of this motor, called the TwinForce, will make it to production, but the double-throwdown chrome treatment it has received for auto show duty will not. Lincoln even went so far as to carry some of the sedan's cranberry red metallic paint under the hood. The MKR's engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles.
A fully independent suspension, with MacPherson struts up front, and Brembo four-wheel disc brakes, also jump off the MKR's spec sheet. Other interesting bits include 13 cubic feet of trunk space and 36.9 inches of rear headroom, similar to the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.
See more in 2008
Lincoln's next flagship sedan, which the company has said will be out in 2008, will borrow heavily from the MKR. The TwinForce engine and six-speed automatic transmission are sure to make it to production, but so will much of the MKR's silhouette and its athletic proportions.
Henry Leland would approve.
