Click image for high-res comparison gallery
Attending a show always gets us thinking about concept cars and how they'll wind up translating into real in-the-showroom and on-the-road vehicles. This week, all the talk was about cars like Ford's Interceptor, Lincoln's MKR, Chevy's Volt, Mazda's Ryuga and Nissan's Bevel, for example. The extent to which any or all of those will influence future production vehicles remains to be seen.
It's when new models are on the stands that we can look back and compare. This year, Lincoln's MKX is in showrooms, and we're now able to look back at the concept car that clearly showed the world what was coming. That would be the 2005 Lincoln Aviator (which shared its name with the Explorer-based production vehicle), and aside from some detail changes, it's pretty much the MKX we all see today.
The concept's leaner-looking -- something that didn't carry over as well to the production car. The MKX's more sedate interior trim is much more appealing than the blinged-out chrome look the cabin of the Aviator concept sported. Our feeling is that the Aviator's big wheels and hood-ornament look better than the smaller rollers and integrated grille badge on the production car. We also prefer the thicker c-pillar and rear-end treatment of the concept, but we know as well as anyone that you're going to lose something when you go to production, and that rear looked like it didn't have much of a chance.
Given the trade-offs that were made, the transformation from Aviator Concept to MKX worked out okay. Yes, we're aware that it's an alternately-styled Ford Edge, but the style it has works well. Check out the comparison gallery we put together and let us know what you think. We just wish they'd have kept the old name.
[Photos: Ford]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
iQuack @ Jan 14th 2007 4:08PM
Didn't expect to see a new MKX, but one was parked in Palm Desert near the Civic Center duck pond. I like duck ponds, of course.
MKX looks like a Ford Edge in high drag. It's a sensible vehicle, but I doubt that it'll bring the Lincoln brand back from the dead.
Badge-engineering remains alive and well at Ford.
BOB @ Jan 14th 2007 4:47PM
Alex -- I think you forget that a black Lincoln station wagon with a closed in C-pillar is a HEARSE, lol.
No doubt, the concept was sexier with the big wheels and the "Pedestrian Puncturer" Lincoln star. (unlike the Mercedes star, Lincoln's has a point, so I dont think we will be seeing it standing again)
You missed the character line through the doors, which added to sleekness, but is much lower now, to use the Ford doorskins. Also, the need to tint the front door windows lighter cuts sleekness, especially on the white car that they stupidly photographed.
The production interior is gorgeous, but they de-blinged just a bit too much --too safe!
The big problems:
1- they turned the edgy rear end design into a facsimile of previous Taurus-based Continenttals. Again, too safe, I think.
2--what the HELL is an EM KAY EX???
If they had kept with the Lincoln-identified sound of "Mark X" "Mark Z" etc -- better! I am sure those names turned off the people in the clinics who compared the car to a Lexus.
When are these guys gonna learn that "too American for a Honda or Mercedes buyer, but well done" is the way to go?
___
PS -- photo comparisons are a good idea, but, next time, pls reduce the jpegs by half and twin the concept and production car shots, so we can see them together.
Tiago do Vale @ Jan 14th 2007 4:57PM
Nice SAAB! :p
huis @ Jan 14th 2007 5:05PM
I agree about that creased characterline on across the doors of the concept--it works real well, and it is missed on the production one.
The front end of the concept is better too--it looks sly and confident. The front end on the production one looks surprised and tentative. It's slightly awkward.
Jay @ Jan 14th 2007 5:08PM
"PS -- photo comparisons are a good idea, but, next time, pls reduce the jpegs by half and twin the concept and production car shots, so we can see them together."
That's the BOB we know and love--always handy with suggestions.
towjam @ Jan 14th 2007 5:25PM
looks like a early 80s AMC
Michael Karesh @ Jan 14th 2007 5:44PM
I hadn't realized the concept looked so similar to the production MKX. And yet it's much more attractive, with a less bulbous shape and the more formal C-pillars. Thinner C-pillars are of course better for rear visibility, but Ford has been going too thin from a styling perspective. The thin rear pillars are the biggest problem with the Five Hundred, and one the refresh doesn't touch.
Keeping the name "Aviator" would have also been much better. Mulally has come out against the alphanumerics, so perhaps this will change again.
My site's page for the MKX, with a list of the most common price comparisons:
http://www.truedelta.com/models/MKX.php
That One Person @ Jan 14th 2007 5:46PM
Very interesting comparison. I totally forgot about the concept. And I like the interior a lot more on the concept...even though it's very "retro". It's classy.
Also, I like the hearse style c-pillars...
BOB @ Jan 14th 2007 6:24PM
1-- Jay, you saying that the comparison thing is easy, with those huge images being too big to open side by side? Maybe you prefer kitbitzing to constructive suggestions? I do both, do you?
2--BINGO!! #6 -- it looks like an AMC Hornet wagon from 1970 -- later jacked up into a 4 wheel drive Eagle, to which you refer.
3--#7, somewhere between the hearse and what we got, with the deep rear glass, would have been better. Of course the pillars and hatch frame are much thicker, covered by black glass.
Mullaly is right about the ridiculous names, as am I --they are gonna have a hard time digging themselves back out of that hole -- the solution of turning "Mark" into MK is a true example of corporate idiocy -- what a shame!
DOES EVERYONE HOPE THAT THIS WILL BE THE LAST OF THE FOMOCO NEW PRODUCTS THAT ARE DAMAGED BY TIMIDITY?
BOB @ Jan 14th 2007 7:01PM
NOW, I really started thinking about the AMC thing.
http://www.javelinamx.com/javhome/jwr/my86eag.htm
The Javelin and Hornet were some of the best styling of the late 20th century, although not great cars. The Hornet became the Eagle Sportabout later (see link)
The EMM KAY EXX (or should it be PAR KAY EXX, since it is margarine, not butter?) could do worse than to resemble the AMC cars.
The Ford version,which dictates the Lincoln, actually looks much fresher and bolder -- or I could call it the HEDGE. (sorry)
jgp @ Jan 14th 2007 7:11PM
Count me in as someone else who dislikes the switch to alphanumeric names. I wouldn't mind them using "Mark X", "Mark Z", etc., but "MKX", "MKZ", etc. just sound so dull and characterless.
And, yes, it's not just Lincoln that pisses me off with this. I've still never really forgiven Acura for dropping the Legend name in the US. Cadillac had a lot of justification for ditching their old naming scheme, because they had run their old names into the ground, and they've used [letter]TS in their trimlines for ages, but going completely alphanumeric was wrong.
Car videos @ Jan 14th 2007 7:19PM
Lincoln is offering something other SUV makers aren't. It has some classic features which I think is kinda nice.
jc @ Jan 14th 2007 7:25PM
I love the front end with the Kennedy era style grille.The vehicle itself has a very nicely proportioned exterior.Almost as though it was styled to be the Lincoln first and then the Edge by default.The interior of the MKX is a little too much like the Edge.I was expecting a nicer cabin.
Galley @ Jan 14th 2007 7:26PM
The grill reminds me of the early '60s Continentals.
JON C @ Jan 14th 2007 7:59PM
There's something very sound and familiar about this design.Lincoln's clean approach to it's traditional design themes (front end especially) have created a very appealing american styled CUV.Like the automotive equivilent of the polo shirt and brunch with grandma.This is a good example of how design can themes from a more innocent,optimistic era (eisenhower,kennedy)to sublimate reassurance.
JON C @ Jan 14th 2007 8:12PM
15 ...design can USE themes...
Patrick @ Jan 14th 2007 9:00PM
Let's see... Badge enginerring at it's blandest. The subconcious message Ford is putting out is "We have no creativity" and that's just what everyone wants from a car company these days. NOT!
Isn't the Ford Edge actually a Mazda CX-7 underneath? So talk about taking Badge Engineering to a new level! Way to go Ford!
doug @ Jan 14th 2007 9:12PM
Saw my first real MKX today. Looked great, even in the a horrible Dune color. One bad note: the "chrome" wheels are really chrome hubcaps on aluminum wheels - same as on the Edge. You'd never notice unless you feel the backside of a spoke.
That One Person @ Jan 14th 2007 9:37PM
#17...this is far from being the most bland badge engineering job out there. No, that award goes to the Land Cruiser/LX CLONES.
#18...I believe they are polished/machined aluminum wheels. A lot of "chrome" wheels from large companies are done like that these days. They just polish the fronts...the part people see.
Patrick @ Jan 14th 2007 9:43PM
#19. True for the landcruiser/LX clones but at least the Lexus version had an excellent interior and beautiful fit and finish. That really can't be said about the US products. Our car industry just can't quite "get" how to create interiors that are beautiful and functional.
GM interiors = cheap feeling and looking plastic.
The new Saturn Aura which is basically a Opel clone is an exception. Wait the Opel interior was designed in Europe hence the beauty of the Aura. Drats! GM can take no credit.