Joeychgo
January 1st, 2007, 09:15 AM
Lincoln MKR to be unveiled soon
By Jim Mateja
Tribune auto reporter
Published January 1, 2007
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/il/features/general/lincoln.mkr.concept/lincoln.mkr.f34.500.jpg
Ford Motor Co., it appears, isn't done remaking its luxury Lincoln lineup.
In addition to adding a new MKS sedan in 2008 at its Chicago assembly plant, Ford is mapping plans for a new flagship as well.
At a media preview of the Detroit Auto Show Sunday, Ford will take the wraps off the concept MKR, a high-performance four-door coupe.
Ford says the MKR is a styling exercise that makes the split grille from the original 1941 Continental cabriolet the new look of Lincolns.
The concept is built off a stretch of the rear-wheel-drive Mustang platform, with a 112.9-inch wheelbase and 195.7-inch overall length, up from 107.1 inches and 187.6 inches, respectively, on Mustang.
Power comes from a twin-turbo, 415-horsepower version of the 3.5-liter, 260-h.p. V-6 that comes out in the redesigned 2008 Ford Five Hundred sedan next year.
Peter Horbury, executive director of design for Ford, assures the 3.5 liter will have the power of a V-8 and the fuel economy of a V-6.
Ford insists MKR is simply showing the future look of Lincolns. But observers say MKR tips Ford's hand on a new car that could serve as a limited-edition brother or sister to the MKS.
"Lincoln needs a new Town Car flagship in its lineup, and this is a styling exercise for the next Town Car, which we expect will be derived from the rear-drive, V-8 powered Falcon from Ford of Australia, not the Mustang," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific automotive marketing and consulting firm.
Peterson sees such a car arriving around 2010.
Notable features on the concept include front-hinged winged doors that open by pushing a button in the chrome trim, an all-glass roof and a navigation screen that pops up from the dash.
In keeping with a conservation theme, the leather seats are filled with foam produced from soybeans, the black oak instrument panel is created from recycled wood, and the carpeting is recycled mohair.
By Jim Mateja
Tribune auto reporter
Published January 1, 2007
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/il/features/general/lincoln.mkr.concept/lincoln.mkr.f34.500.jpg
Ford Motor Co., it appears, isn't done remaking its luxury Lincoln lineup.
In addition to adding a new MKS sedan in 2008 at its Chicago assembly plant, Ford is mapping plans for a new flagship as well.
At a media preview of the Detroit Auto Show Sunday, Ford will take the wraps off the concept MKR, a high-performance four-door coupe.
Ford says the MKR is a styling exercise that makes the split grille from the original 1941 Continental cabriolet the new look of Lincolns.
The concept is built off a stretch of the rear-wheel-drive Mustang platform, with a 112.9-inch wheelbase and 195.7-inch overall length, up from 107.1 inches and 187.6 inches, respectively, on Mustang.
Power comes from a twin-turbo, 415-horsepower version of the 3.5-liter, 260-h.p. V-6 that comes out in the redesigned 2008 Ford Five Hundred sedan next year.
Peter Horbury, executive director of design for Ford, assures the 3.5 liter will have the power of a V-8 and the fuel economy of a V-6.
Ford insists MKR is simply showing the future look of Lincolns. But observers say MKR tips Ford's hand on a new car that could serve as a limited-edition brother or sister to the MKS.
"Lincoln needs a new Town Car flagship in its lineup, and this is a styling exercise for the next Town Car, which we expect will be derived from the rear-drive, V-8 powered Falcon from Ford of Australia, not the Mustang," said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific automotive marketing and consulting firm.
Peterson sees such a car arriving around 2010.
Notable features on the concept include front-hinged winged doors that open by pushing a button in the chrome trim, an all-glass roof and a navigation screen that pops up from the dash.
In keeping with a conservation theme, the leather seats are filled with foam produced from soybeans, the black oak instrument panel is created from recycled wood, and the carpeting is recycled mohair.