Lincoln MKR Concept

[JOKEJOE]

Twin-turbocharged V-6 is based on Ford's new 3.5 Duratec engine which is already in production

-The platform is from the Mustang - streteched 5.8 inches but with a multilink independent rear suspension instead of a solid rear axle

Molto bello il frontale e spero che lo ripropongano sui modelli di serie.

Non si capisce se il passo e' corto oppure dovuto ad una piega del giornale.

[JOKEJOE]

Molto piu americana questa che la concept dell' anno scorso....la MKS se non sbaglio.

[Matteo B.]

keep hustlin'....keep flowin'........

(notare la mia firma sotto )

:D:D:D:D:D:D

[j]

When the Lincoln MKR concept is unwrapped at the Detroit Auto Show on January 7th, it will foretell the future look and powertrain of Lincoln.

No, the 21-inch chrome wheels will not make it to production. Neither will the four-door, four-seat concept’s center console, which is constructed from recycled wood and looks, unfortunately and (we presume) unintentionally like a bowling-ball ball return. Forget about the MKR's glass roof that’s supported by structural elements that form the shape of the Lincoln star logo.

Strip off all of that show-car filigree, however, and what you have is the future of Ford's historic but troubled luxury brand.

New Design Language

After a couple of decades lost in the proverbial design woods and several missteps, Lincoln now has defined seven exterior design cues or characteristics that define the look of Lincoln. According to Peter Horbury, Ford’s head of design for the Americas, Lincoln designers will choose from these seven defining Lincoln characteristics to create a family resemblance among the brand’s vehicles. Sometimes, designers will use three of the magic seven elements. Sometimes they will use five. Or more. Or less. The 415-horepower, rear-drive Lincoln MKR show car uses all seven of ‘em.

They are: 1. Clean and uncluttered body surfaces; 2. a powerful, dynamic beltline; 3. a chamfered surface running parallel to the beltline; 4. a twin-port “bow-wave” front grille inspired by the 1941 Continental Cabriolet; 5. thin, horizontal headlamps; 6. a substantial C-pillar that smoothly transitions into the roof; and 7. a pronounced roofrail.

That’s a lot of styling for a sedan that’s only about an inch longer than the departed Lincoln LS sedan, yet the MKR looks remarkably neat and tidy. And the chopped roof (the MKR is about four inches lower than an LS) gives the rear-driver a decidedly sporty appearance. Wheelbase measures 112.9-inches.

Sophisticated and Modern

"The Lincoln MKR Concept is sophisticated and modern, resembling an athlete - extremely strong and fit but looks elegant in a tuxedo," said Horbury. "This concept is the ultimate expression of elegant simplicity consistent with the world's best Lincolns, and this new design language will lead us forward in the growing premium segment."

In other words, Peter thinks his new car looks pretty cool. And he's right. Notice the lack of door handles, instead a button concealed in the chrome door trim springs open front-hinged "winged" doors, which Ford says are slightly inclined for additional sophistication and a touch of drama.

Once inside you're greeted with what Lincoln calls "cool, soothing Ice Blue lighting" which illuminates the gauges. Soothing? We figure it's there to take your mind off the cashmere covered soy-foam based seats and Mohair carpets?

Twin-Turbo V6

The powertrain is unexpectedly sporty too. It’s a twin-turbo version of Ford’s recently introduced 3.5-liter V-6 with direct-injection. Ford claims the MKR’s motor makes 415 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque and runs on E85 ethanol. A production version of this motor, called the TwinForce, will make it to production, but the double-throwdown chrome treatment it has received for auto show duty will not. Lincoln even went so far as to carry some of the sedan's cranberry red metallic paint under the hood.

A fully independent suspension, with MacPherson Struts up front, and Brembo 4-wheel disc brakes also jump off the MKR's spec sheet. Other interesting bits include 13 cubic feet of trunk space and 36.9-inches of rear head room, which are similar specs to the Mercedes-Benz CLS550.

See More in 2008

Lincoln’s next rear-wheel drive flagship sedan, which the company has said will be out in 2008, will borrow heavily from the MKR. The TwinForce engine and six-speed automatic transmission are sure to make production, but so will much of the MKR's silhouette and athletic proportions.

da insideline.com

[j]

da jalopnik.com

[Ares]

è eccessiva, ma IMHO molto bella. Splendida la simmetria profilo del tetto-tunnel centrale.

[j]

Thanks to the worst case of embargo breaking in the history of automotive journalism, you're all well aware that Lincoln will be showing the MKR Concept at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. You know about the MKR's signature Lincoln design cues, including the double-wing grille, thin taillamps and dynamic beltline, all of which we're assured will find their way on future production models. You also already know the MKR is powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 that runs on ethanol E85 called the TwinForce engine. Based on the Mustang's platform, much like Ford's Interceptor Concept, the MKR is a rear-wheel drive, four-door coupe.

Lincoln, however, still had some material on the MKR up its sleeve, so we've got the brand's full press release after the jump, as well as an entire gallery full of high-resolution images that haven't been seen before. Enjoy, and Happy New Year!

PRESS RELEASE:

LINCOLN MKR CONCEPT FEATURES NEW DESIGN DIRECTION

• Reinvigorating Lincoln: The Lincoln MKR concept is a dynamic premium four-door coupe that expresses Lincoln's future design strategy.
  
• TwinForce™ Power: The all-new TwinForce™ engine in the Lincoln MKR concept marks the birth of an all-new engine family. The concept's 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline twin-turbo direct injection engine delivers 415 horsepower and 400 foot-pounds of torque – comparable to and better than some V-8 engines. It also runs on E-85 ethanol in the Lincoln MKR concept.
  
• "Guilt-free" luxury: Materials including chrome-free leather and renewable resources such as a reengineered oak instrument panel, mohair carpet and soy seat foam provide the Lincoln MKR concept a premium look and feel that's also environmentally friendly.

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 1, 2007 – Lincoln is pulling the wraps off a head-turning new concept car at the North American International Auto Show next week, signaling its design strategy for the next-generation of premium American vehicles and launching a new engine family.

The Lincoln MKR concept introduces a new design language of "elegant simplicity" on a four-door coupe that also features environmentally friendly amenities and fuel-saving technology, including its TwinForce™ engine.

The concept's 3.5-liter gasoline twin-turbocharged direct-injection V-6 performs comparably or better than V-8 engines, delivering 415 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque on renewable E-85 ethanol.

A New Era of Lincoln Design

The new design – created by a team led by Peter Horbury, executive director, Design, The Americas – showcases the visual elements that will influence a new generation of Lincoln products.

"We've reinterpreted the best of Lincoln designs over time, preserving the restraint and elegance synonymous with the brand," says Horbury. "The Lincoln MKR concept is sophisticated and modern, resembling an athlete – extremely strong and fit but looks elegant in a tuxedo.

"This romantic, sporting coupe should turn heads at the show. And, ultimately, this new design language will help lead us forward in the growing premium segment."

The Lincoln MKR concept features seven key exterior cues, which define modern Lincoln design:

• Clean, uncluttered surfaces
  
• Powerful, dynamic beltline
  
• Chamfered surface running parallel to the beltline
  
• Distinctive Lincoln bow-wave, double-wing grille opening
  
• Thin, horizontal taillamps that run from one side to the other
  
• Significant C-pillar smoothly transitioning into the cantilevered roof, and
  
• Powerful cantrail/roofrail
  
• Three or four of these design elements are likely to appear on future production Lincolns, including the concept's most dramatic feature: the double-wing grille inspired by the 1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet. The split grille is designed to resemble the bow of a boat cutting through the water, giving the oversize Lincoln star a proper home on which to stand proud.

The Lincoln MKR concept's four doors and body side remain characteristically clean. A button concealed in the chrome door trim springs open the four 'winged' doors, slightly inclined for additional sophistication and a touch of drama.

From the rear, the coupe concept is instantly recognizable as a Lincoln, thanks to full-width LED taillamps stretching from side to side.

From above, this Lincoln proudly showcases its brand heritage with a large structural Lincoln star that punctuates the glass roof spanning the top of the car.

Modern, 'Guilt-free' Luxury Touches

Inside, the Lincoln MKR concept defines a new direction for modern luxury, with ambient lighting and contrasting colors and materials that offer both a new look and philosophy for future Lincoln interiors.

"The concept's interior builds on the success of earlier Lincolns but stretches the boundaries even further," said Gordon Platto, chief designer of the Lincoln MKR concept. "This unique combination of materials gives the Lincoln MKR a rich interior but features the environmentally friendly amenities that luxury buyers expect in premium goods, including vehicles."

A black oak instrument panel engineered from recycled wood stretches from side to side and carries through to a twin-level floating center console that extends into the rear of the cabin.

This expansive 'T-shaped' panel houses the passenger information display system seamlessly disguised by the flush touch screen control surfaces and a navigation screen that can be concealed by a powered door.

The instrument cluster provides a jewelry-like focal point. Chrome-trimmed gauges illuminated with Ice Blue lighting can be easily viewed in harmony with the concave spoke steering wheel that includes retractable paddle shifters.

"Lighting is an important design element," Platto said. "We know customers are paying more attention to the lighting in their homes than ever before, and we wanted to leverage it to create even more ambiance and drama inside the concept."

Ice Blue lighting is carried throughout the high-contrast interior, emitting from the door panels, mohair-carpeted foot wells, seats, center console and perhaps most dramatically from the large Lincoln star above which is easily viewed from each of the Lincoln MKR concept's four seats.

Each soy-foam based seat stands alone, looking as if suspended in air, wrapped in a creamy cashmere leather made through a more environmentally friendly chromium-free process. Seatbacks are finished with high-gloss, ceramic-looking shells.

The concept also features the THX II Certified Car Audio System, Lincoln's signature audio system, which produces sound quality comparable to home theater systems.

Innovative TwinForce™ Powertrain

Under the Lincoln MKR's sculpted hood is the exquisitely detailed TwinForce engine, finished in chrome and accented in the cranberry red metallic paint that dresses the rest of the modern exterior.

This marks the birth of the new TwinForce engine family that will power production versions of a range of future Ford and Lincoln products.

TwinForce uses direct injection technology and turbocharging. These technologies are common in diesel engines but have only recently been combined together in gasoline engines.

The Lincoln MKR's engine also is flex fuel capable, providing the driver with the flexibility to switch back and forth between gasoline and E-85 ethanol. Combining the high octane found in E-85 or premium gasoline with TwinForce technology allows the MKR's V-6 to deliver 415 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque – an impressive 118 horsepower per liter.

To achieve this type of performance from a V-8 would require an engine displacement of 6.0-liter or larger, nearly double the size of the 3.5-liter in the Lincoln MKR. As a result of the smaller V-6, the Lincoln MKR concept delivers 15 percent better fuel economy than a V-8 with similar performance.

The concept's engine is mated to a six-speed transmission, and the concept features independent rear suspension for more refined road manners.

The car sits on 21-inch chrome aluminum wheels fitted with unique Michelin tires that feature the Lincoln star in its treads.

"The Lincoln MKR concept is important because it marks a new era for the brand," Horbury said. "This is a showcase of modern design that marries power, performance and, essentially, 'guilt-free' luxury."

The Team

The Lincoln MKR concept was developed by the following team members, led by J Mays, group vice president – Design, and chief creative officer:

Peter Horbury, executive director – Design, The Americas

Patrick Schiavone, director – Design, Truck (formerly responsible for developing NA cars)

Gordon Platto, chief designer

Dave Mahoney, exterior design manager

Xitij Mistry, exterior designer

Soo Kang, interior design manager

Jason Baldas, interior designer

James Kuo, interior designer

Jennifer Hewlett, Color and Materials designer

Andy Fulford, project manager

Lincoln MKR Concept Specifications

Powertrain

3.5-liter V-6 TwinForce engine

Chassis lengths

Overall length .......................195.7 in.

Wheelbase .............................112.9 in.

Overall width ..........................75.4 in.

Overall height at curb ..............52.7 in.

Track width

Front .......................................63.7 in.

Rear ........................................63.8 in.

Brakes

Brembo power 4-wheel disc with ABS and traction control Suspension

Front ............ MacPherson Struts and rear-facing L-shaped lower control arm and stabilizer bar

Rear .............Independent Rear Suspension

Headroom

Front .......................................37.8 in.

Second Row ............................36.9 in.

Legroom

Front .......................................42.7 in.

Second Row ............................33.7 in.

Luggage capacity ..............13.0 cu. ft.

da AutoBlog.com

[Ares]

certo che tra questa stupenda macchinona e l'interceptor, la Nassau fa davvero una figurella magra nel suo voler fare la perfettina, sofisticata e europea...

[Matteo B.]

Al li là del concept...(peraltro molto bello) questa macchina monta un motorone che pare già pronto per la produzione.....

Lo vedremo mai in Europa? io personalmente lo preferisco a quel cavolo di v8 supercharged della Jaguar che non ha mai impressionato nessuno.....

[ISO-8707]

Non è male soprattutto per il design finalmente nn + anonimo.

Però appena ho visto il frontale e l'andamento del padiglione mi è venuta subito in mente questa: