Lincoln MKR shows Lincoln means to stay in business
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The controversial grill is only a small part of it. The whole vehicle reaches higher. It gets noticed.
BTW, if you look at the 1941 Continental, you can see the split grill shows Lincoln heritage.
BTW, if you look at the 1941 Continental, you can see the split grill shows Lincoln heritage.
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Comments
Rocky
My take? First, get a NAME for the car, forget these GD meaningless letters PLEASE.
Other than that, this concept is a huge step forward from what Lincoln is selling now. The roof is pretty crazy - in the video they point out that the roof is mostly glass and what aint glass is in the shape of the Lincoln badge!? I like the clean tail treatment. I like the front end, but it might be nicer if it tapered more down in front so it looks less like a cow catcher. The side view is quite nice. The interior is crazy. Nothing like that will ever be put in a car so makes no sense to comment further on that.
Here's a Lincoln lineup that would make them the lux brand to beat:
Zephyr $28K-40K - OK, I guess they need an entry level model. The grille in 2 years will share the split 'Pontiac' style that the mkr has. And give it a real shifter and paddle on the wheel please.
Aviator $30Kto$45K- Lower the entry price. Rename the MKX. Redesign the front end. The rest is fine, except it needs a real Lincoln interior. Figure out how to get a 3rd seat in there. Everyone else has. Add a hybrid model.
Mark IX $38Kto$55K - the MKR concept, toned down of course and made into a 5 passenger 4dr sedan/2dr coupe or convertible. Entry engine is NOT Twin Turbo.
Navigator - Redo the instrument panel (back to the future). Split the grille or something. Up the MPG SOMEHOW.
Continental - This will be the stately Lincoln, built on the Continental Concept of 2004. 4 door suicide-door hardtop or convertible. Real American V8.
Town Car - A cash cow for the livery trade and the grey hairs.
I'd like to be a Lincoln dealer if this is their lineup.
They could tune the 1978 chassis under the current TC, use a hotter Mustang V-8 and square up the body making it more like the Continental of '04.
BTW, the Feb'07 Car and Driver actually said pretty good things about it.
What Lincoln needs right now:
- Integrate this evolving frontend into all your products
- Get rid of the Navigrator frontend - its terrible and costing you sales - big time! Same for the new MKX. Be consistent with an evolutionary frontend so you have an identity.
- Same goes for the rearend - there is no continuity across the product line - from the MKZ and Ford-cloned MKX to the Navi and Mark-LT, whatever that's supposed to be. The tail on the MKR is fair at best - they should incorporate their heritage and use the "continental tire hump" across the line as a unique mark of Lincoln and Americana.
- Get ride of these stupid MK... letters and be different, use the heritage names like Zephyr and Continental, keep the Towncar and bring back the Mark-IX series...
- Create a distinctive chrome wrap-around the side windows that is unique to Lincoln. Look at Lexus and how they have incorporated the "square-outter curved-inner" corners across their product line - frontend detail, tailights and even on the interior. Its most recognized on the C-pilar of the new LS, around the front grill and interior stereo surrounds.
- This MKR is fair at best... needs work and attention to detail, especially the tailend.
I didn't even notice this car, however, until today, thanks to the lousy naming convention. I just see "MK ..." and I assume its something I've seen already. I was pleasantly surprised when I actually clicked the link.
By the way, I don't see any posted here, so here is a link to a photo gallery that I hope is OK to post here. Just click the next button at the top of the screen to flip through the pics.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
The vehicle has already received some positive recognition, and numerous public polls have placed it on top of being a favorable vehicle people have liked from the NAIAS introductions.
Most importantly, the vehicle sports future engine Lincoln and Ford will be using, "TwinForce" a 3.5L Duratec V6 with TwinTurbos and direct-injection sporting upper V8 power, with V6 fuel economy.
The concept also displays various styling elements that will be incorporated in future Lincolns, specifically the bold grill, which definately gets some attention.
LINK
Your thoughts?
Style-wise, I think the MKR is a knock-out. My only criticism is the relatively short wheelbase in relation to the overall length. Otherwise, from front to back, this thing is a winner. I am really a V8 kind of guy but the TwinForce could make me get over that. As long as it is RWD and IRS, I really don't care about the origin of the platform or where it is built.
Too bad this will not be introduced in 2008 instead of the MKS.
As for the MKR, overall I like the look. Maybe the front end is a little too teethy and headlights a little too squinty, but I like the nod to the first Continental with the grille design. One thing I wish they would change a bit is the beltline - lower it. As has been mentioned elsewhere in these forums is the high door sill precluding driving with the window down and one's elbow resting on the door. Personally, I like more greenhouse.
The fact it comes with a twin-force V6 instead of a V8 doesn't bother me. I'm glad they're talking about RWD.
The emm kay arr is a beautiful concept vehicle. With minor changes which have been mentioned by others, it would make a wonderful addition to Lincoln's stable. In fact, it would be the only horse in the stable at this point.
Now for the rest of the story.
First, the name sucks. But they all do. Pathetic and almost every review I read of a Lincoln has the reviewer saying that the MK really stands for and is pronounced "Mark" which of course would make some sense but we all know here that Lincoln's top brains have said "No. It means nothing and is pronounced "Emm Kay". Stoopid.
Next, how many concept vehicles has Lincoln shown in the past 5 or 6 years since I've been following Lincoln closely via this forum and other Inet locations? I can think of several off the top - Navicross, Continental, Mark IX, ... there are more. How many appeared at the dealership? Zero. And zero plans to do anything with them. My point is what's the point? Will anything resembling this ever be made? We'll see but I'm not going to hold my breath. And as for what it will look like at release, recall the original appearance of the Zephyr and how watered down the final Mazda-Lincoln is.
Lincoln has shown some of the finest concept vehicles of any brand over the last few years. Yet what can I buy at the dealership? A 30 year old Town Car or a prettified Mazda. That's IT.
It's time to get off the pot, Lincoln.
And where the H_LL is Mercury? Build a GD Cougar and they will come.
My question: If the MKR or something like it actually gets the green light, where would that leave the MKS? Is there room for both?
It appears that the MKR would appeal to the same type of buyer that the original Lincoln LS appealed to. The difference now is that the MKR certainly has more bold styling and it would seem that it could be produced at a lower cost than the LS.
The MKS, on the other hand, sort of seems like a red-headed step-child - no offense to red-headed step-children. It is larger than the MKR with presumably more room. Perhaps it would be for the retail TC crowd who would like something that is less than 2 decades old. Perhaps it could be the Luxury flagship while the MKR would be positioned as more of a luxury-sport sedan.
Since the MKS will hit the streets first (or so it seems), it will be interesting to see how it is positioned and what it is intended to compete with.
Like the 83 Thunderbird was, for its time. That kind of right.
One of my concerns is the drivetrain. I assume it will use the 6F transmission and I think that is limited to around 300 HP and torque around 280. We know the MKS will have a 3.7 V6 and even if it is tweaked to the power output that I mentioned, I am not sure it would handle the weight and frictional losses of AWD and still be competitive from a performance standpoint.
Yes, the '83 Bird was created when I was proud to be a Ford man. It made the boxes that GM was building at the time look 10 years old.
Ford did so much in the 80's to change the automotive world, I'd like to see them do it again, someday... Lincoln had its hits too, the Mark VII, the Continental in 88,
Why I compare Lincoln with Lexus? Because it supposed to have Lexus qualities. I cannot compare Lincoln with Buick because Buick is not there yet, but it may, considering as fast GM improving its line up. Next gen RWD Buick may be just like Lincoln if not better,
You're right about the Lexus, but you must see another GM from the one I see. Is Buick selling more Lucernes than it did Park Avenues? More LaCrosses than Regals and Centuries. I applaud Buick for paring down their model overlap, but I see nothing revolutionary there except you can get a V-8 once again in a Buick. Revolutionary - no catching back up.
As far as the Lincoln interiors, you're right, they're not Lexus quality yet, but they made a quantum leap from 06 to 07 in seat leather and panel quality. The difference is astounding - Lincoln leather was getting so bad it was indistinuishable from vinyl. Somebody has made a drastic change there, so things are heading in the right direction.
Zephyr was awarded best interior in it's segment...
LINK
To Quote:
"That leaves on one interior category: Premium-Priced Car. This was the
only overall interior category where both the industry at-large voters and
the news media agreed on the winner, and the Lincoln Zephyr interior took
the honors."
Prior to that in 2005, the Mark LT was a nominee in it's segment, only to be beat by Fords own Land Rover.
Next complaint ?
We just cannot assume their plan will work, as they must deal with so many more bad decisions in the marketplace before the real innovation can arrive. I also wonder who the doofus was that decided to put new makeup on the old Super Duty and call it brand new, rather than using the basic design of the SuperChief. Ford, get something, anythign out there that is truly polarizing and fast, or the whole company may go belly up by 2010.
Bill seemed to be in over his head, and unable to control the family either, because a ton of family members should have been let go decades ago.
I just pulled up the Lincoln website. I have to say it looks better than it ever has before, however, I just can't like this new Navigator, especially outside. The clean, dignified lines it had before are now gaudy excess - kind of like the Mark LT. Reminds me of the Griswold Family Truckster. So, I am Navigatorless at the present time. I'd get a Range Rover if they weren't a POS for reliablity.
Presently - Lincoln has nothing for me. I do NOT like the new Aviator/MKX at all.....
While there, I sat in a Z, an 07 Nav and an 07 MKX. I'm still unimpressed with the Z's 'award-winning' interior, though I do like the overall exterior look of the car. The dash on the Z is too high and far too straight-lined for my taste.
The 07 Nav front end is better looking in person than in photos. But the dash is ruined with the Ford Granada instruments. No way I could sit and look at that dashboard. The only improvement is 4 guages instead od 2. Unfortunately, they're so small as to be almost useless. I'll bet they saved at least $20 per car with the new IP. Good for you Ford. (NOT!)
The emmkayexx, except for the rear end which I like a lot, seems to me to be a big mistake. The front is uglier in person than in photos, the front quarter panels are fat and ugly. The thing looks like it was designed by AMC in the 70s (Pacer/Spirit mix). The interior has a nice look to it though. This one was cream colored - actually 2-toned with med color wood. Overall it looked nice, but the details sucked. The instruments are similar to the Nav, old school I dont know what the h_ll they are thinking with these. Obviously they must be CHEAP that's the only excuse. And speaking of cheap, the door panels are almost entirely made of molded hard plastic. YUCCKK. I mentioned it to the salesman - he said it's high tech scratch-proof plastic. I pulled my keys out of my pocket and asked if I could test that statement. Oh NO he says. I mean your pants wont scratch it. Oh. Well glad they solved THAT huge problem!
I walked next door and looked at a GMC Acadia. Now that is a beatiful, well designed vehicle. The interior was somehow not quite as luxo as the X, but better done overall. The vehicle is bigger, seats 7 or 8, has a bigger engine than the X AND gets better mpg. I can't see why anyone would buy an X over one of the new GM crossovers, but that's just my HO. Of course, I didn't drive any of them, maybe the X rides and handles better? I dunno. Course the brakes on the X are suspect, as we know.
Well, that's just my opinion.
Oh, BTW, this young salesman I spoke to also has a Navigator. I guess that's how Ford is moving those now - giving great deals to their employees.
One question on your impression with the emkayyexx. Did you feel the cowl was too high in that one as well, or was it ok and you sat high?
That's a good idea. Next time I will turn off the AC, start the engine and then turn AC on. Just to verify. I'll have to take your word as your experience on other Fords doing it as my LS does not make the noise. Nor does my 95 econoline. Neither did my recently sold SportTrac. The noise would be quite disconcerting to a potential buyer if/when I sell the thing. Your idea is great though. I'll just be sure the AC is off before anyone test drives the thing. If/when I sell it. I've needed to sell it financially for a year now, but I hate to do it - it's such a sweet ride.
I didn't think the cowl was too high in the X. It certainly feels that way in the Z. But to be fair, I sat in the X and the salesman was standing where the door would be if it was closed so I didnt get a real feeling for that. One thing that surprised me was the seat bottom felt really hard. Oh well. Like I said it looked nice inside, but I wouldn't want to look at those guages too long.