In the middle of all the presentations of the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show was the unveiling of the 2013 MKT and the 2013 MKS, but Lincoln had another ace in the hole. Apparently, Ford’s luxury brand also revealed a teaser image of a car that looks like the next MKZ. It is believed that we will see the new MKZ in January 2012 at the Detroit Auto Show.
Fast forward to today and the Lincoln MKZ Concept has finally been unveiled in all its glory.
The Lincoln MKZ Concept is a take on the company’s design language that will be featured in a number of their future models. Taken as a concept, the MKZ comes with a variety of new features that will look sweet when translated to a production version. The automaker has penciled a production date for later this year so we won’t have to wait long to see what the production MKZ is made of.
More details on the Lincoln MKZ Concept after the jump.
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Next to the 2013 MKT debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Lincoln has also presented the new MKS luxury sedan. For the 2013 model year, the MKS has received better handling, increased power, improved fuel efficiency, additional standard equipment, more refinement, and new technologies.
The model has received a contemporary new look that includes a new grille, HID headlamps, front fascia, hood, and front fenders. The rear of the vehicle was updated with a new fascia, LED tail lamps, new exhaust tips, and a new decklid design that improves access to the trunk.
The 2013 Lincoln MKS will be offered in three versions: V6 FWD, V6 AWD, and EcoBoost V6 AWD. The first two models are powered by a 3.7-liter V6 that now includes twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) and delivers a total of 300 HP (increased from the previous 273 HP). Fuel economy comes in at 19 mpg city/28 mpg highway for the front-wheel drive model and18mpg city/26 mpg highway with the all-wheel-drive model. The more powerful version gets a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that delivers a total of 355 HP.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Lincoln MKS.
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Lincoln has unveiled the 2013 MKT at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The revised crossover offers a dramatically improved ride, sharper handling, better fuel economy, and new safety technologies including rear inflatable seat belts. The new 2013 MKT will go on sale in the spring of 2012.
"The 2013 MKT with Continuously Controlled Damping delivers a surprisingly vibrant blend of ride and handling. It’s more than you’d expect from a full-size, three-row luxury crossover," said Scott Tobin, Director, Lincoln Product Development.
For 2013, The MKT will be powered by the standard 3.7-liter V6 engine that includes twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) and delivers a total of 300 HP - an increase from the previous 268 HP. Customers will also be able to choose a twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that delivers a total of 355 HP at 5,700 rpm and 350 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,500 to 5,250 rpm.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Lincoln MKT.
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This week’s episode of The Car Show packed many of the things that were vacant from the last week’s episode. Yes, we said it, there was much more Car Show and a lot less filler crap.
Some of the mini segments did make their way into the show, including 0-60 (one of our favorites), Behind the Wheel, and of course, One for the Road. Aside from that, there were more celebrity appearances with two different interviews and a trip up the German Autobahn and down the Pacific Coast Highway in an Audi R8 V10 Spyder.
If anyone finds Adam Carolla the least bit annoying then you’ll be happy to know that he participates in Red Bull’s SoapBox Derby and falls a little short of the finish line. One nasty scrape later and he still finds a way to piss people off. All for the love of cars.
Hit the jump for more details on The Car Show: Season 1 Episode 8.
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Back in the ’70s, Lincoln customers could buy the De Tomaso Pantera from Lincoln dealerships, giving the brand some appeal in the sports car department. That only lasted until about 1975 when poor response due to quality issues in the vehicle made Ford back out of their agreement to sell the Pantera, leaving Lincoln with only full-size models. With most brands providing a wide array of vehicular options, Lincoln has slowly but surely been sinking into a hole that only drastic changes can get them out.
These changes are more or less what the company is working on now with plans to introduce seven new or revamped vehicles in the next three years. One of these vehicles is rumored to be a 200 mph two-seat sports car which seems a little out of their reach, but may just be possible. If produced, this new sports car may feature a supercharged V-6 to complement the V8 found in Ford’s GT model.
In addition to the new sports car, Ford is also planning on juicing up the technology found in their Lincolns. During a recent interview with Automotive News, Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s global product czar, said that "there will be technology that will be unique to Lincoln." He noted that Lincolns of the near future could be fitted with electronic PRNDL (park, reverse, neutral, drive, low), which would "provide a truly unique design and interior."
Lincoln hopes to pleasantly surprise their existing customers with this new technology, but also hopes to engage new buyers. New technology on a 200mph two-seat sports car? That’s a good way to start if they are indeed capable of pulling it off.
Note: Photo is of the DeTomaso Pantera.
