Lincoln Previews MkC with NAIAS Bound Concept

[ausrutherford]

The Rebounding of a brand: Part Two
FordInsideNews
January 13, 2013
By: Austin Rutherford

Just one short year ago, we received our first glimpse on the restyling the Lincoln brand would aspire too. That was shown in the MkZ Concept, which previewed the production MkZ very closely. However, this vehicle was compromised design-wise. Max Wolff, Lincoln's new lead designer, had only been able to change a few points on the car, mainly the grill. Now comes a complete effort: The MkC Concept.

The MkC Concept is truly the first Max Wolff designed vehicle and carries his vision for mixing tradition with modern themes. Like the MkZ, the grill carries the modern spreading bird wing grill with the traditional central sternum. Moving along the sides, the character lines appear to be stronger than any Lincoln in years and give the vehicle the appearance of a lower stance. The tail end also carries the traditional full length taillights, but with a slimmer modern design. Noticeably lacking on the back again is the Lincoln Star. Instead "LINCOLN" is prominently written instead a crevice created by the thinning of the taillights.

Noticeable in the packaging of the vehicle is that the overhangs compared to the Escape, from which is shares its platform, are much smaller. This leads to a sporty stance that almost makes it look like it comes be rear wheel drive. This is also helped by what appears to be longer door openings.

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[Andrew L]

I am getting an Audi vibe from this shot



A bit Aston Martin with those tail lights

[germeezy1]

This vehicle is a competent, and dare I say attractive Q5 competitor which gives me hope that Mr. Wolff's design can truly return Lincoln to greatness. I sincerely hope the production interior is more divergent from the Escape than the MKZ is from the Fusion.

[ral1960]

Best looking car Lincoln has done in years, which unfortunately isn't saying much.

Not keen on the interior.

modern spending bird wing grill

Will it be that expensive, or do you mean spreading bird wing?

[vw1610]

It looks sick! I'd buy it and I hate most fords.

Maxx Wolfe is amazingly talented, and I'm worried that Cadillac no longer has his talent at their disposal.

[Wolfn99]

This thing is going to eat the Buick Encore for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

[Nordoff]

it's Ugly.

[sfbreh]

A bit Aston Martin with those tail lights

Those lights are 100% Porsche.

This thing is going to eat the Buick Encore for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Different size, baby.

Bigger than the Escape (if by a few inches), which is itself bigger than the Encore.

[ral1960]

This thing is going to eat the Buick Encore for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I believe it's a size up from the Encore and it's likely significantly more expensive. The Buick starts at $25k. If it forces Buick to put a bigger engine and other improvements in the Encore (and Cadillac to speed up their small RWD CUV) I'm all for it.

[Extreme4x4]

I really like it. I am especially pleased with the detailing. Lincoln managed to make a C class crossover look substantial, athletic, and elegant, all at the same time.

I am expecting the production version to look very much like this, minus the obvious concept bits. The entire dash looks production ready................... and shares NOT ONE IOTA with the Escape.

Oh, and reaction web wide is hugely positive.

[1.21 giggawatts]

total butterface.

[sfbreh]

Yes, yes, and yes. I can't even say how much I love this car.

If I were married, I would stick my wife in this in a heartbeat. BUT, only if it doesn't get **** up like the MKZ did from concept to production.

[Extreme4x4]

You do realize that the MKZ concept was produced off of the production vehicle, right??

The production MKZ looks better than the concept.

I don't expect the production MKC to look much different than the concept.

[sfbreh]

You do realize that the MKZ concept was produced off of the production vehicle, right??

The production MKZ looks better than the concept.

I don't expect the production MKC to look much different than the concept.

Teeny details. It's largely the same, but my biggest gripe is that the interior is drap and suffocating with the combinations. It's not the airy, modern one debuted with the concept.

[V8GMT360 Guy]

I'm almost getting some Range Rover Evoque in this thing's design.... not sure if I like it or not.