2011 Detroit Auto Show: Lincoln MKZ Concept revealed

The Lincoln MKZ Concept was debuted at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show recently and offered a glimpse of what's to come for the brand's mid-size segment. The offering has been appropriately revamped by Ford's luxury arm and aims at being the platform for staging a comeback for the maker of classic vehicles. The company has hinted that a production model of the concept would arrive in dealerships later this year. Though the model looks to redefine traditional luxury for a generation of more frugal buyers, the company has emphasized that the warm restraint of the Lincoln MKZ Concept’s design language looks to move it away from the historically complex designs of the marquee.

Lincoln MKZ Concept

First impression

Debuted at the Detroit auto show recently, the Lincoln MKZ Concept is a modern execution of the company’s previous superstar, the ‘38 Zephyr. With piercing, wrap-around headlamps, the split-wing grille design of the Lincoln MKZ Concept contrast with the recent models' vertical presentation. The horizontal lines incorporate the brand's signature traits and merge their borderline bling with old-school aesthetics. The striking combination links the concept to the marque's long lineage of impressive sedans and blends an upscale, sporty flair with European styling.

The powertrain

Ford is keeping mum about what the Lincoln MKZ Concept will offer under the hood though they have revealed that the Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) adjustable suspension and the Lincoln Drive Control featured in the 2013 MKS and MKT will be retained in the mechanicals of the new concept. The vehicle will be offered in both all-wheel-drives as well as front-wheel-drive configurations. Multiple powertrain options will be utilized in the sedan with the all-new midsize platform using other tech goodies such as Lane Keeping System and EcoBoost™ to help it compete with other tech-laden sedans in its segment.

The exterior & Interior

The Lincoln MKZ Concept is targeted at younger, more diverse customers with its particularly appeal lying in a competitive functional and comfortable interior. The instrument panel that sits poignantly in the understated cabin features a dramatically sweeping repetition of the models; front graphic. The open, warm and inviting model is a four-seater with a champagne perforation-lined Champagne-colored leather seats. The comfortable, luxurious and sculptural interior space of the Lincoln MKZ Concept features elegant dark taupe accents which sit well with bright and satin finished aluminum and poplar wood trims.

On the technology front, the Lincoln MKZ Concept offers tech-savvy buyers a central flush-mounted 8-inch LCD touch screen as well as a MyLincoln Touch™-fitted 10.1-inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD that is fully reconfigurable and sits right in front of the driver. The liquid crystal instrumentation perfectly compliments the open, tiered center console while push-button transmission gear selection rounds off the innovative interior.

Picture Gallery

Lincoln MKZ Concept

Lincoln MKZ Concept at 2012 Detroit Auto Show

What’s new?

Featuring an all-new clean sheet design, the MKZ Concept comes with a unique and refined sweeping roofline. More athletic and wider that the current MKZ, the Lincoln MKZ Concept comes with a sharp crease at the beltline that highlights the new body side design. Upfront, a set of multi-unit LED lights seem to almost flow out of the grille while the split wing front fascia used on the concept is directly borrowed from the latest version of Lincoln MKZ. Completely independent from the A-pillar stand svelte side mirrors which present a crisp contrast to the body structure with an integrated lightly tinted full glass roof. However, these stunning features, along with the impressive oversized wheels, are not very likely to be featured in the final production version of the model.

Price and availability

For now, the company has not revealed any concrete plans about launching the Lincoln MKZ Concept though industry experts believe the production model could be seen at the New York Auto Show with the prices starting at $41,000.

Wrap up

The MKZ concept closely previews the next step in the evolution of the sedan. With a longer wheelbase than the 2012 MKZ, the Lincoln MKZ Concept is also wider and longer and comes with many features that make it are considerably more dramatic than the present variant. Though the Lincoln MKZ Concept bears many similarities to the Ford Fusion, the proportions of the model suggest that the final car would not be much dissimilar to the concept shown in Detroit.