Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Lincoln
Spy Shots: Interior of the 2009 Lincoln MKS
by John Neff on Jun 13th 2007 at 1:02PM 
click above image to view more spy pics of the 2009 Lincoln MKS
The spy photographers from KGP have been scoping out Lincoln MKS prototypes for a while, but this is the first time they've gotten close enough to get a clear view of the interior. The first thing we noticed is that the production interior retains many of the shapes, lines and styling cues from the interior of the Lincoln MKS Concept that debuted at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. The center channel speaker atop the dash, the four large air vents, the metal trim accenting the sides of the center console are all examples of what Lincoln designers decided to port over directly from the concept. Whereas the concept's dash was awash entirely in buttery soft beige and brown leather, the production interior adds a wood accent bar that spans the width of the dashboard and is repeated on the steering wheel (and likely the door trim). It appears that the top of the production MKS dash, however, will still be covered in leather, as stitching is clearly visible in these spy shots. The center console, however, is devoid of any expressive styling, instead relying on the corporate parts bin to fill the space allotted with buttons and dials. Overall we agree with KGP's assessment that while tasteful and pleasant, the interior of the Lincoln MKS sedan will have a difficult time measuring up to the new standard set by the 2008 Cadillac CTS.Check out the gallery below for high-res spy shots of the 2009 Lincoln MKS interior, as well as more spy shots of the luxury sedan's exterior.
[Photos: KGP Photography]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dave 1:06PM (6/13/2007)
The dash looks good. The materials seem ok quality. The gear shift knob is too big though.
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Don 4:04PM (6/13/2007)
I'm sorry, but HOW does one rate material quality without sitting in the vehicle for a hands-on?
CMDR 1:15PM (6/13/2007)
Is that an "easy button" on the dash?
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Mike 2:18PM (6/13/2007)
The big red button on the dash is the one the test driver hits when he sees a superior import to activate the grille mounted missiles...it's the only way Ford can retain any market share. :-P
Dave 1:15PM (6/13/2007)
I dont want to rain on Ford's comeback parade, but the interior is nothing special. Looks just ok.
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Tool 1:17PM (6/13/2007)
The interior looks nice enough, but I'm not alone in wondering why Lincoln has not created a more compelling exterior.
The styling looks like everything else on the road and as a result is virtually indistinguishable from the herd.
Instead, Lincoln could be drawing on its heritage and producing some wonderful designs ala the Lincoln concept cars that we saw earlier this decade.
Take a note from Chrysler's playbook on the one thing they got right: The 300C and do this MKS right.
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Matt 1:20PM (6/13/2007)
Damn GM and their inferior product!
Wait... :(
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Little Lord Poopy-Pants 1:33PM (6/13/2007)
The interior is OK. I'd say it was close to the Mark, but because of FoMoCo's irrational dumping of its evocative Lincoln nameplates, I guess it is merely "close to the MKS".
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Jon 1:37PM (6/13/2007)
The interior looks nice, but it's nothing special. I really wish Lincoln had chosen to stay true to the concept interior. That was one of the best-looking interiors I have seen, an it would have been a selling point. This one cannot compete with Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz interiors.
Why can't cars have more impressive interiors? Surely it can't be more expensive to make this shape than that that shape.
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Jon 1:39PM (6/13/2007)
And one more thing... Cadillac has really gone out on a limb with its exterior styling and been extremely successfull... why can't Lincoln?
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Jon 1:40PM (6/13/2007)
I wonder if Lincoln realizes how many people don't like their new naming system?
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That One Person 4:40PM (6/13/2007)
The funny thing is, Allan Mullaly also hates it. Bill Ford and Friends must have smoked a bowl right before they started changing names. And I dont blame Mullaly for hating them and changing a few back. Yeah, it looks like a dumb move but I think Mullaly is just putting things the way they should have been from Day One.
Also, I dont think it's really fair to base your opinions on a pre-production interior. Things can be changed. Also, how does everyone know what this thing looks like? Have you seen it without camo?
I like it. A little cheap but it's definitely better than some of Ford's other interiors.
todd 9:32PM (6/27/2007)
why dont they put the tire hump back? you would definantly know it was a lincoln. what happened to tradition?
FLR 1:51PM (6/13/2007)
I agree with the sentiments expressed previously. The shape of the various dash components remind me of 1980's cars. It seemed like every dash was full of rectangles back then.
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Mr. Oak 1:54PM (6/13/2007)
Dear Ford:
You still don't get it. This interior rises to the level of let's say the Milan. This is not flagship standard. Why are you striving for mediocrity.
Go out buy a Lexus, an Infiniti, an Audi, a 2008 CTS, an Audi, an Acura study carefully and go from there.
On your new grille, Who signed off on that clusterphuck. Way, way, way too busy. Elegance is supposed subtle, tone it down. Doesn't have to be boring, doesn't need to look like an overdressed hooker with too much mascara.
Why is it that the finish on all of your new cars: MK-Z, MKX, MKS have the feel of the cheap toys the I got when I opened a box of crackerjacks.
P.S. for the record, I am not a hater. I drive a 2004 LS and love it. Just very disappointed. I see a CTS in my future.
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Brian Dreggors 1:58PM (6/13/2007)
This is too much (2002) Continental and not enough (Concept) Continental.
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Kyle A. Miller 2:43PM (6/13/2007)
The interior is OK. As the luxury lines of cars for Ford, I expect it to be more sexy, not just a Ford interior with added wood and chrome trim. Where are the curves? Why the straight line across the dash? What is with the Lincoln retro speedos? The two rectangle vents in the middle look odd and uninteresting. I think I've seen the underpinnings of this interior design before. It was a Crown Victoria.
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Nellydesign 2:43PM (6/13/2007)
I can't believe all the hate for such a dynamite interior. Wish they could have used more of the concept interior? Are you kidding? Aside from the color scheme, its exactly the same! You people are ridiculous. When you sit in this thing (as I have) you'll realize that it's head and shoulders above the MKZ, Milan, etc. Not to mention offerings from other companies. A stitched leather upper??? How often do you see that?
As for the exterior, I'll agree it doesn't set the world on fire. But people bitch about the lack of a V8 and rear wheel drive. Guess what... Audi has been front bias AWD from day one and they certainly compete in the luxury market. And as for a V8, in this current oil climate do you really think V8's are still a great idea? We need to start changing the perception. If this car's engine choice gets better fuel economy, is cheaper to produce, and is more powerful than the Volvo (and other manufacturer's) V8s, how is that a bad thing?
And as for Mr. "non-hater" Lincoln LS driver, the Lincoln LS has a pathetic interior for a luxury car. This one eats it alive. Reserve your judgement until you've actually sat in it.
Now the real issue to me is, if this car gets the twin turboed DI V6 and ends up getting the same fuel economy as a V8 then that's a problem...
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Be Oh Be 3:34PM (6/13/2007)
I kind of have to agree about the interior on this car. It looks good to me. Everyone is being way to critical of this car.
3cubedminus3squared 5:01PM (6/13/2007)
Yeah, its not a bad interior at all.
I like it better than the CTS's only because the air vents in the CTS's look they're melting.