Lincoln MKT Concept

The Lincoln MKS started the marque's momentum at the Los Angeles auto show back in November. The luxury sedan drew praise for its style as well as its twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, delivering an estimated 340 horsepower and more than 340 pound-feet of torque on regular gas.

Now here's the Lincoln MKT concept, a crossover SUV that promises everything to everybody, according to Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas. He says, "The Lincoln MKT concept offers the comfort of a luxury sedan, the spaciousness and flexibility of a full-size utility and the performance of a sporty roadster � executed with new technologies and materials that make it as environmentally friendly as it is elegant."

Impressive if true, but it'll still be nicknamed the MR.T. Like Britney's breakdown, it's only a matter of time.

And space. This is a big vehicle. Its dimensions mimic those of the Buick Enclave, with a couple of notable exceptions. The Lincoln is 6.6 inches longer and 8 inches lower than the Buick. And this gives the SUV an emotional long, low, wide look.

The low roof line is certainly the MKT's watermark, but if it sacrifices headroom for style then the production version of the MKT will have a shorter lifespan than a housefly. Lincoln says no, boasting front and rear headroom figures better than the Buick's. Surprisingly, there is no third-row seat. In fact, the MKT only seats four and they each get their own "executive-size" chair.

Under the hood of the MKT concept is the same twin-turbocharged, direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 that we saw in the MKS. But with a twist. Lincoln says the "EcoBoost engine is flex-fuel capable, providing the driver with the flexibility to switch back and forth between premium gasoline and E85 ethanol-gas blend." Lincoln also says the concept's V6 makes 415 hp at 5,750 rpm and 400 lb-ft of torque, which is believable.

That power passes through a six-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system before reaching the MKT's 21-inch, chrome, 14-spoke cast-aluminum wheels. The rear suspension is independent.

This is where we should probably tell you how some of the MKT's plastic body panels are made from discarded soft-drink bottles and other polyester waste, but it's more fun to try to explain the SUV's instrument cluster, which Lincoln says is inspired by Swarovski crystals. Told you so.

Other cool touches are the glass roof, the hand-knotted rug from banana silk and a very inventive cargo system. Designers integrated a power lift system that raises and lowers a series of rails behind the rear seats to allow flat loading or compartmentalized storage.

What's Edmunds' take?
Lincoln needs a vehicle like this, and we've already spotted prototypes of the production MKT running around Detroit? We only hope it's not just a Ford Flex with a fancier grille when it hits dealers in a couple of years. And it better seat seven.
via:edmunds


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