L.A. Auto Show 2015: 2017 Lincoln MKZ
What is it:
This is a midsize luxury sedan offering three drivetrains, including a new twin-turbocharged 400 horsepower engine that Ford plans to keep exclusive to its Lincoln brand. Pricing won’t be out until early next year, but the current version starts at $35,190.
Why it matters:
Lincoln needs to be a player in the luxury midsize sedan market, which is the largest segment in that end of the business and the only area in which every luxury automaker has an entry. The car also is crucial to advance the goal of Ford Motor Co. to rebuild Lincoln into more than a has-been brand among luxury buyers.
“We want Lincoln to be a world-class brand,†said John Emmert, Lincoln’s marketing manager.
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(Lincoln)
What's new:
This is a massive refresh of an existing model that needed a lift to compete in such a competitive corner of the auto market. Besides the performance engine option, the car gets a more nimble ride and improved interior to better match more popular luxury sedans.
Lincoln has completely redone the sheet metal on the front of the car to give it some distance from the styling of its down-scale Ford Fusion sibling. The hood has more sculpting to convey speed and drama. It dips into a grille taken from the concept version of the Lincoln Continental, a reboot of the full-size sedan that will debut next year.
The new grille is full at the top, pulls in at the sides and ends with a pedestal center underneath the Lincoln star badge.
“This will be the new face of Lincoln going forward,†said David Woodhouse, Lincoln’s design director.
(Lincoln)
The competition:
Lincoln wants the new MKZ to compete with the Lexus ES, Acura TLX, Infiniti Q50, Cadillac ATS and Audi A4.
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The details:
In addition to the big six-cylinder engine, the MKZ will have as its base options a 2.0 four-banger or a hybrid powertrain, both at the same starting price. Lincoln is adding a lot more safety features. It will be the first car from the brand with automatic braking collision avoidance. A new parking assist will take the driver both in and out of parallel spots and will help back in to perpendicular spaces. The car will also have an auto hold feature that keeps the car at a stop without the driver having to keep pressure on the brake pedal.
Video Review: 2016 Lincoln MKX
