The production version of the car will retain a great deal of the concept’s styling, including the distinctive bow-wave and double-wing grille, thick C-pillars and cantilevered roof – all designed to hide its humble Ford Flex underpinnings. The MKT will also come in six- or seven-passenger variants and include an assortment of safety gizmos such as Ford’s recently announced Blind Spot Monitoring and Cross Traffic Alert System.
“It will offer the comfort of a luxury sedan, the spaciousness and flexibility of a crossover and the performance of a sports sedan, courtesy of its EcoBoost engine,” Fields said during a recent interview with MotorTrend.
The engines at the heart of the new MKT large crossover will include the 3.7L V6 unit that also powers the MKS sedan, rated at 270hp (201kW) and 265lb-ft (360Nm) of torque plus the new 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6, estimated to produce 340hp (253kW) and 340lb-ft (460Nm) of torque in the MKT’s implementation.
The MKT will be among the first vehicles to get the EcoBoost engine, along with the MKS and the Ford Flex. The combination of direct injection and turbocharging in the engine are claimed to provide 20% better fuel economy while reducing emissions by 15%, compared to larger displacement naturally aspirated engines.
Fields also explained that Lincoln is positioning itself between Buick and Cadillac in the U.S. domestic prestige market, and that it will take some years still until it will be able to compete with Cadillac in overseas markets.
The new MKT isn’t the only new model Lincoln has in the pipeline. According to Fields, a facelifted version of the MKZ will make its debut at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show in November and there are still plans for a new RWD sedan based on the recent MKR concept.
Lincoln MKT Concept
Reader Comments
Mon Mar 17 2008 10:10 AM
chris says
this is the kind of car that looks a little... "too much" in concept form, but you know it would be one hell of a nice ride if it actually went to production.
Mon Jul 14 2008 2:20 PM
Andrew says
Why do we need this thing? Especially with the EcoBoost. Nice engine, sure, but why do we need a high-power MKT or Flex?
Fri Sep 12 2008 9:25 AM
Stugots says
hahahaha. Terrible. Whether it's the nose which is far to busy, the tail lights spanning the rear, the malformed belt line... its a study in amateurish design. Chris is dead on, too much. This thing is just a hodge-podge of ideas. It looks like a brainstorming session realized.
Fri Sep 12 2008 12:48 PM
Rick says
It's got a Charger-esque rear section and a Voltron Locomotive front section with no visible b-pillar creating this massive greenhouse look. Revolting.
Fri Sep 12 2008 1:15 PM
NoNameDenton says
Please make a 4 door rwd sedan to replace the Crown Vic, and how about a 2 door coupe with the turbo 3.5 liter V6.
Sun Sep 14 2008 1:58 AM
amac says
ENOUGH SUV/CUV MONSTROSITIES!!! STOP IT! JUST STOP IT! Give me a slick black Lincoln sedan with crisp lines. A car that would be at home in front of the opera house or the country club. Not something that looks like it belongs in the Home Depot parking lot. C'mon people, seriously, this is NOT Lincoln.
Sun Sep 14 2008 9:55 AM
Jon says
MY MY now more than ever, understand why the American companies are in trouble!! Do the American car companies got it yet? How about who is in charge are they blind? please such a MONSTER who will buy this thing?
Sun Sep 14 2008 9:58 AM
Jon says
Is time for the American car companies to stop making junk and ugly things.... yes things!!! Time to hire people who went to School to design nice looking cars!! It is also time to put guys in charge that can see not just make the money!! this way, the American car companies, will soon be thing of the past!
Sun Sep 14 2008 9:59 AM
Jon says
I.m so pissed that Ford even showed pic.s of this Monster! get out be sold to Renault or Peugeot or maybe even Toyota....not sure if Mercedes is interested in any American car companie!!
Leave a Comment
Login or register to leave comments.
Please keep your comments on topic. Your involvement is governed by our Privacy Policy and Terms.