Lincoln has unveiled the new Lincoln MKZ Concept in Detroit, which according to the brand “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.”
The MKZ Concept hints at the production version that will arrive in showrooms later this year. Max Wolff, Lincoln design director describes the MKZ Concept’s shape as a “vision of simplicity completed with just a few strokes. 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.”
Although the design of the concept is all-new, it’s easily recognizable as a Lincoln thanks to certain elements like the split-wing grille. Iinterior features include a push-button transmission gear selection, an open, tiered center console and liquid crystal instrumentation. The interior also gets a reconfigurable 10.1-inch Thin Film Transistor LCD positioned ahead of the driver that operates with the latest version of MyLincoln Touch in addition to the flush-mounted center 8-inch LCD touch screen.
Lincoln didn’t give any details of what is under the hood other than stating that the concept is capable of using multiple powertrain options with front and all-wheel-drive configurations. The MKZ Concept also gets Lincoln Drive Control and the Continuously Controlled Damping adjustable suspension. Like the recently unveiled 2013 Ford Fusion, the MKZ Concept also gets Ford’s new Lane Keeping System.
