Spy Shots: First snaps of Lincoln MKS mule!
One could easily argue the upcoming MKS sedan is the most important vehicle to Lincoln's solvency in the modern era. Debuted as a concept at the Detroit Auto Show in early 2006 (see gallery for reference), the sedan received a luke warm reaction that was tempered further when it was discovered the production model wouldn't be offered with a V8. Regardless, we're ready to give the MKS the benefit of the doubt until the production version shows up. Proof that Lincoln's on its way to that day have just surfaced in the form of these first spy shots of a Lincoln MKS mule taken by the spy fiends at KGP Photography.The mule is actually wearing sheetmetal that looks production ready, and the most apparent change that's been made to the concept on its way to production is a new grille that reflects the double-wing design that's slated to become standard fare across the Lincoln lineup in the future. The taillights have also been altered and feature a clear lens with red LEDs.
The real question we want answered is what's under the hood? The MKS is a large, all-wheel drive sedan that will need a potent powerplant behind that winged grille to keep things moving. We're hoping for a production version of the TwinForce engine that debuted in the Lincoln MKR concept this year. A twin-turbo version of the new 3.5L V6 would provide plenty of oomph to make us forget those extra two cylinders. Chances are, however, we'll likely see a larger, 3.7L version of the new corporate V6 offered in the MKS.
[Source: Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
T.C. 5:05PM (4/18/2007)
OMG!! Finnaly Ive been waiting for Spy shots!
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Daniel 5:14PM (4/18/2007)
I'm sure this will be a beautiful car but it really needs some choice in engines to be competitive. Go ahead and offer a class leading V6, also offer the high performance 4.4L V8 - and come out with a Hybrid model. Lots of rich folks will by high end hybrids to feel good about their Green lifestyle.
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John 5:29PM (4/18/2007)
Looks like they copied the design for the Acura TSX/Honda Euro-Accord. Look at the headlights and the centerstack for the interior. Even the overall mold for the body seems reminescent of the TSX.
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JB 5:31PM (4/18/2007)
I think it's likely the Volvo/Yamaha V8 will end up under the hood. It's hard to imagine a vehicle this size and price not offering a V8. Goes against what Lincoln DNA is left.
I wish they would delete the fender vents. Using the Lincoln star as a fender mounted LED side repeater would be cool, but there was no money for that, just enough money to punch a stupid hole in the fender and put a JC Whitney vent in.
Don't even get me started on the sides of the car, which are devoid of any protection. Looks great until the first ding. Maybe Ford will throw in one of those glue ding removers.
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CaliberSRT4 5:47PM (4/18/2007)
The headlights look awfully familiar to the Ford Mondeo.
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Mike Botros 5:50PM (4/18/2007)
this is the day I have been waiting for... finally! I can't wait to see this thing on the road!
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ron 6:38PM (4/18/2007)
I spy a big Vista Roof on it which is nice.
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3cubedminus3squared 6:34PM (4/18/2007)
I thought the headlights look loke the Mondeo as well. Either way this thing is going to look good!
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BOB 6:43PM (4/18/2007)
The Winding Road article has a large slip -- says the car is Mazda 6 based. but it is on the Ford platform derived from Volvo. This car will be the size of a 500/Taurus, with a higher beltline.
I think it is not the "savior" car for the brand, but:
1-- it will appeal to previous owners, and to those who found the LS too small inside, the Continental too conservative, Town Car too big or too dated.
2--It ought to get some conquest sales from Buick, Chrysler, Cadillac, Lexus,........
NO WAY is this the sport sedan/Bimmer killer that some car nuts think every American luxury car needs to be, so I am not so troubled by the V-8 thing. First I read in a Ford employee blog that the Yamaha was costing Ford 4K over the price of the V-6, then I read Ford was gonna make its own.
I would prefer Ford to wait and come up with a replacement for the modular V8, as in my Mustang -- it is only OK.
NOW -- where is the news on the Town Car replacement? Are they taking the old tooling to Canada, will there be a freshening, a Mercury with trim, a new car?????
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Chris 7:17PM (4/18/2007)
Yet another Sable/Taurus look alike.
Not that I dislike Ford Mercury or Lincoln its just if your trying to save a company stop the rebadgeing make cars that are really different not just slapping on a different grille and a different set of taillights.
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Daniel 7:22PM (4/18/2007)
As suggested in the article the engine could be a 3.7L version of the Duratech 3.5L. This would be welcome news to differential Lincoln from Ford and Mercury across the lines. The Fusion and Milan could move up the the 3.5L and the 3.7L could be reserved for the Lincolns - including the MKZ and MKX.
But this MKS still really needs to offer customers a choice (1) 3.7L V6, (2) 4.4L V8 and (3) 3.0L V6 with Hybrid drive. Now that would be a big time winning offering for the MKS.
If they really want to kick some behind in terms of advance technology (as Lincoln should) then they would also offer the 400 Plus HP TwinForce V6.
Let's hope for the best.
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Robert 7:35PM (4/18/2007)
#10, they aren't just slapping a new grille on. The sheet metal and body shape is not at all related to the Taurus. The only thing in common is the basic architecture. However, many of the architecture components are upgraded or redesigned completely. If you don't have your facts in order, don't speak up.
I'll be curious what Ford does with the engines. I know they've been looking at DI a lot recently, and a 3.7 DI could probably get like 315 hp with a decent torque curve. I've also heard that Ford is looking at the 3.5TT for their next F-series and wouldn't be surprised to see it in the MKS - maybe not with 400 hp, but certainly with 360-375. Rumors are that this engine is getting over 20 mpgs for their F-series test mules, which would probably make it a better environmental offering than a V8 with similar power.
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Richard 7:40PM (4/18/2007)
Chris wrote (No. 10) "Yet another Sable/Taurus look alike. ..."
Actually, it looks like about half the cars on the road; particular the larger cars of Asian origin. In other words, it looks like nothing at all. Rip off the Lincoln gunsight, slap on a Buick tri-shield, and no one would be the wiser.
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Just Me 7:52PM (4/18/2007)
Ford has said that it shares almost zero parts with the new Taurus.
People just need something to bitch about. I am sure this car will be affordable luxury for the masses. How dumb would it be if they engineered an entirely different chassis for this car, and it looked the same and passed that cost on to the customer and cost much more. It would sell far less too.
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eric 9:39PM (4/18/2007)
A twin turbo truck? Are you retarded?
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MikeW 8:20PM (4/18/2007)
Where is the high output version of the Volvo I6?
http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/tech/Techspec_V70_gen3.pdf
The standard one looks pretty good.
330hp 350ft-lbs sound like plenty of go.
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Scott 8:31PM (4/18/2007)
Well the Winding Road needs to check some facts before writing their articles. Mazda6-based? Uh, this is on the same platform as the 500/Taurus, NOT the Fusion which is a modified Mazda6 platform. It's based on Volvo S80. And what Volvo is using a 4.8L V8? Last I checked the only Volvo V8 was the Yamaha 4.4L which has not received much positive press, specifically for its harshness due to its 60-degree architecture. V8s are meant to have 90-degree architecture for smoothness and durability, anything else is inferior. Volvo only wants 60 degrees to fit in their transverse engine bays and fit their hard safety requirements.
As to everyone making comments about the styling or interior on here, what are you basing them on? The concept? That's useless, wait until the production model comes out before you try and bash it. The grille is going to be completely different from the concept (ala MKR concept vehicle) and everything else is probably fair game as well. And it hardly looks ANYTHING like the current 500/Taurus models, give me a break. The roofline and everything is totally different. Go look at a Lexus ES next to a Camry sometime.
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Chet 10:13PM (4/18/2007)
Buick must be SO jealous.
Big, soft, QUIET sedans are a fine thing. It won't appeal to anyone with sporting pretensions, but that's okay. I look forward to renting one the next time I'm forced to fly somewhere.
Trouble is, the market for such sedans ain't that big, and has zero prestige. I'm sure it'll turn a profit for Lincoln, but it doesn't make anyone under forty lust for one.
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RockStoneSteel 10:17PM (4/18/2007)
Very attractive vehicle.
And a big THANK YOU to AutoBlog staff for finally downsizing photos to a reasonable size. This time I didn't have to scroll frantically trying to figure out what the car looks like.
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NoNameDenton 11:15PM (4/18/2007)
I can not believe they dropped the Yamaha V8. But then again, it makes a good business sense since Yamaha jacked up the price for the engine. Still, one of the Boss V8s should makes its way into an all wheel drive version of the vehicle. A 3.7 liter V6 is just not enough for this class of vehicle.
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