It may seem unlikely given Lincoln->ke48's current lineup, but there was a time when the company used to offer rear-wheel-drive, luxury coupes->ke141 too. The last model to sport a two-door configuration was the Mark VIII. Introduced in 1992 and built on the same FN platform underpinning the tenth-generation Ford Thunderbird->ke444 and the seventh-gen Mercury Cougar->ke55, the Lincoln Mark VIII got axed in June 1998. Granted, the disappearance of the Mark VIII left a big gap in the Lincoln range.

That's likely to change in near future. But for that to happen, a couple of conditions must be met. First, Lincoln has to green light the use of the 2015 Mustang platform for a future product. Second, the production car to sit on that rear-wheel-drive architecture must come in a coupe configuration and not in the shape of a redesigned MKS sedan. It's tricky and a bit far-fetched, but one can only hope that the MK Coupe Concept depicted above, courtesy of our friends at BoldRide, becomes more than just an intriguing idea.

Click past the jump to read more about the Lincoln MK Coupe Concept.

2016 Lincoln MK Coupe Concept

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Lincoln MK Coupe Concept
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Lincoln MK Coupe Concept

As you might have already guessed, this MK Coupe is not a concept car we'll be seeing at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show->ke211. This Lincoln-faced Mustang was crafted by the folks over at Hansen Art for illustrative purposes only and given to us by BoldRide. Of course, that won't stop us from speculating about it and it shouldn't stop you from dreaming that it might show up at a dealership near you sometime in the future.

Let's face it, she's a beauty! The trademark butterfly grille and the Lincoln headlamps blend perfectly with the Mustang's muscular lines, and the bulged hood only adds to its sexy looks. Things are less spectacular around back, where the narrow MKZ taillights could have used some improvements, but I'm not complaining. If Lincoln is gunning for a Mustang->ke428-based coupe, this rendering should become a wallpaper in each of the company's offices.

If this crazy piece of speculation become reality, we don't expecting the it to carry a V-8 engine in its top trim. Instead, Lincoln could make use of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 motivating the 2015 Navigator, but tweaked to deliver around 400 horsepower. For the entry-level model, Lincoln might as well turn to the Mustang's 2.3-liter, EcoBoost four-pot and its 305 ponies. Pricing-wise, the coupe would need to sit below rivals like the brand-new BMW->ke178 M4, so a sub-$60,000 price tag is mandatory.

Competitors

BMW M4

The BMW M4 is the high-performance vehicle all sports coupes aspire to be. Enthusiasts have been talking about M4 vs. 2015 Mustang face-offs ever since the redesigned pony showcased its new features and independent rear suspension. While the 2015 Mustang is no match to the M4's luxury-packed cabin, a Lincoln badge and all the amenities that come with it could tighten the gap.

Both vehicle would be similar as far as powertrains go. BMW's sports coupe no longer carries a naturally aspirated V-8, which was ditched in favor of a lighter, 3.0-liter, inline-six unit. Aided by M TwinPower Turbo technology, the six-banger churns out 425 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. With those figures attached to its gas pedal, the M4 is quite the rocket from 0 to 60 mph -- a run that can be achieved in as little as 3.9 seconds with an automatic tranny. The coupe is also the nimble machine when taken to the track, and very few competitors can match its skills.

The 2015 BMW M4 is priced from $64,200 and goes up from there.

2015 Ford Mustang