Spy Shots: 2010 Lincoln MKT
Only a few days after Ford officially confirmed that the seven-seat crossover everyone already knew was coming was indeed coming, a preproduction mule of the Lincoln MKT has been spotted in the wild. Ford promised that the MKT would look nothing like its Ford Flex sibling, and a quick glance at these spy pics prove that to be the case. In fact, the well-covered MKT development vehicle looks an awful lot like the MKT concept from the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.
Up front the new Lincoln split grille is visible under the bra, along with the same headlight shape as the concept. The concept's love it or hate it belt-line also appears to be carry over to production, as well as the curvy C-pillar. The production MKT also appears to have a glass roof, though it doesn't look as dramatic as the concept. One thing the MKT appears to have in common with the Flex is its relatively low ride height and massive wheels, which helps the Lincoln crossover keep the retro Ford's wagon-like stance.
Spy photographers also got a shot of the MKT's interior, which shows off some good looking blonde wood and the familiar Lincoln center stack. Its material quality should be at least as good as the Flex, if not better.
The MKT is expected to hit production next year with power coming from Lincoln's exclusive 3.7L V6 that also does duty in the new MKS sedan. Ford has also announced that the MKT will receive an Ecoboost engine, which should give the unique-looking crossover upwards of 340 horsepower.
Gallery: Lincoln MKT Concept
[Source: Automobile Mag]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Rick 12:07PM (8/19/2008)
Overhangs, choo choo grill and SUV in this market means sure failure I think.
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Gregg 1:17PM (8/19/2008)
I agree except for the grill. That is bold and an asset. The rest has become pablum in translation from the concept.
That One Person 6:00PM (8/19/2008)
That's what everyone said about every Lincoln vehicle out now.
I find it funny that every other automaker can release a CUV on the market but when Ford does it, it means failure.
It may not sell like the CR-V but it will sell.
ChopperDave 9:11AM (8/19/2008)
Well, at least this one can be parked in a driveway in Frisco, TX.
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SPG 12:45PM (8/19/2008)
Not after I put F-150 badging on it.
I call that "Under-Branding".
Gregg 9:19AM (8/19/2008)
I see by the spy shots appearing that the MKT has been made much more conventional looking compared to the concept. I am disappointed that the bustle back now looks more like the back of a station wagon, and the back seat door cutouts have lost the elegant look of the concept that was evocative of past Lincolns, and plain station wagon/SUV style side doors have been substituted.
Given that the thing looks a lot more like another tall wagon now, how will this really go over, given the Pacifica/Caddy SRX/Taurus X tall wagon look falls flat with the buying public? Provocative and polarizing is what Lincoln needs, not cautious station wagon styling, which is only jazzed up only a bit with the cow catcher grill. Oh, well, glad I'm not making these decisions. Plus, I can cross this thing off my future shopping list. One of the last things I want is a LIncoln CUV that more or less blends in with everything else.
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Allen 9:59AM (8/19/2008)
I think one of the last things you want is a Lincoln...
Nellydesign 12:03PM (8/19/2008)
You do realize this car is camo'd right? I mean, underneath the camo the bustle back could very well be there and not be just another "station wagon". If camo revealed all the interesting things that make this different from other cars, it wouldn't be very good camo now would it...
Just sayin' is all.
K. Ryan Hasse 9:34AM (8/19/2008)
I have a hard time with Lincoln's new naming structure, though I think its cars are getting more acceptable with each new design (especially the latest large sedan and this CUV). But I couldn't right off the bat tell you which one is the MKZ, MKT, MKX, MKS. These aren't easily discernible, distinguishable names. Is it just me?
I have the opinion that calling my friend and saying "hey, I just bought a MKY" is practically guaranteed to result in the question "Wasn't the regular KY good enough?"
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Mike B. 10:14AM (8/19/2008)
The way I keep them straight is as follow:
MKZ- Z for Zephyr, its original name (fusion platform)
MKX- X for crossover (like all the BMW X's are the cross over versions) (edge counterpart)
Z and X are platform mates.
MKS and T are platform mates. S is the sedan and T is the 'Touring' wagon or so-called crossover.
I guess Cadillac should have that same problelm with the TSes, which one is the C, S, and D?
Mike B. 10:15AM (8/19/2008)
You don't have to answer that. I know the diff between the Caddies.
WetheSheeple 10:47AM (8/19/2008)
Couldn't agree with you more. I find the whole letter moniker too confusing. Why the hell doesn't Lincoln go back to using names for their models? I can remember Zephyr, Aviator, etc a lot better than MK(S,Z,X,T). Just because a lot of other car mfr's use this type of badging doesn't mean Lincoln has to follow.
Nellydesign 11:59AM (8/19/2008)
I will attempt to explain it. When you ask a BMW what they drive they will invariably say "BMW". The don't say "335is" or even "3 Series" in most cases. BMW and Mercedes started this alpha-numeric naming convention so that people would have more of an emotional connection to the brand and not just the individual cars within that brand. It has worked for them and now the names BMW and Mercedes just have a certain cache all their own. People relate to the brand as a whole and not just one or two cars. Lincoln and Cadillac are just trying to emulate the major players in the segment.
Randy 12:03PM (8/19/2008)
Names for luxury automobiles make them appear less-than-luxury. I like the acronym approach but I think it's backwards.
Look at series and class cars.
BMW (3, 5, 7)
Mazda (2,3,5,6)
Lexus (ES, GS)
Mercedes (E,C)
They all start with a class and end with a size or variant of their class.
In Linccolns case, they have one class (or) size car and it's "MK" then they have the "type" or classification.
I truly believe someone on the board made a boo boo. I think they said "Mach" is in our heritage, we should use it. And everyone went "Yes, that's a good idea, pass me a muffin please" and didn't do the due diligence on the compounding effects of the naming convention.
I think MK is more of a model variant or option than an acronym. Like "SRT" or "GT" or "Speed" or "MK"
K. Ryan Hasse 12:37PM (8/19/2008)
Nellydesign,
I could have been more clear:
I completely understand the rationale behind the alpha-numeric nomenclature certain automakers use for their products. I also completely understand what a S550 is, and E320 CDI, or what is a 335i. What I am saying, however, is that Lincoln's "M__" naming structure seems to be particularly weak, with no "class" designation (such as "S" or "3"), and no engine or model information (such as "550" or "320 CDI", which means 3.2 diesel, and "35i", which means 3.5 gas).
Thus, what I am stating here is 1) Lincoln copied the more established brands for the reasons you mentioned 2) They did it poorly, because I (an auto maniac!) can't instantly recognize the model Lincoln's nomenclature is denoting.
I call a friend and say I bought an "S Class". They know what I bought. I call a friend and say I bought an MKS, and they'll ask me what it is. While a large part of this is attributable to the length of time the Mercedes has been on the market with the same naming scheme, I argue that the "M__" naming scheme 1) won't have much cachet because it's not functional (what differentiates the 3.7, and 3.7 Turbo?), and 2) therefore won't last long.
Of final note: Caddy's naming scheme has "C" for small, and "S" for big. "DTS" is a misfit, IMO. Escalade is a name they can't afford to dump because some bean counter tells them to -what would the rappers do, re-write their songs?
"Kruzin yo! Tryin' to get laid..
Windows down in my Esca...I mean...FTS)
Lincoln MK8 4:52PM (8/19/2008)
@Randy:
You seemed to have forgotten Cadillac in your bashing of Lincoln....
DTS = Deville Touring Sedan
STS = Seville Touring Sedan
CTS = Caterra Touring Sedan (or Cimmaron Touring Sedan) BTW anyone remember the original Caterra disaster, almost as bad as the Cimmaron
XLR??!?!
But Lincoln, who basically did the SAME THING, EXCEPT WITH "MARK" (MK) get crapped all over by people.
And another thing, every 1.2 people says that Lincoln needs to be bold and express their heritage, and when the finally do with the split wing grill, people say its too hideous and "stands out too much" or "doesn't stand out enough."
Maybe the Lincoln execs should put a big, flashing neon sign on the top that says: LOOK AT ME, I DRIVE A LINCOLN!! Or make completely hideous "Art and Science" derived cars that stand out too much.
And the UGLY CaterraTS WAGON prouduced by the "Scientists/Artists" is, for consumers, basically the same thing as the MKT, because the people that will be driving them aren't going to care that much, unless you like driving wagons, no matter how "cool" they look.
No matter how bad things get for luxury car companies, there are two areas where they should never tread in my opinion...Wagons and Mini Vans, even trucks are a huge stretch...Otherwise they might take the same exit as Chrysler.
I don't think that the MKT is all that bad. Would I drive one, no. I would rather keep my Lincoln I have now. But people will like it, and buy it.
Plus, what kind of a design would it be if there weren't always some people who don't like the design. Maybe those people are the ones who want to stick out so other people can be jealous of them with their 80K BMW or MB.
Lincoln has always been the brand that people like when they don't want to stick out too much, but people always know they drive a Lincoln, packed with a good ride and nice features, complemented by nice styling (not too bold, not too bland).
Sorry for the rant, it is a long time coming.
Chaz 9:43AM (8/19/2008)
who's driving the black MKT?
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Torrent 2:14PM (8/19/2008)
black would definitely be it's color.
Matt 11:07AM (8/19/2008)
That thing is truly hideous. I think Ford should win the "Most Ugly Vehicles" award. This...thing, the Focus, the Flex, the Super Duty, the '09 F-150, the E-Series, etc.
And I have a feeling we will add the new Milan and Lincoln MKFusion to the mix as well.
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SGV 11:38AM (8/19/2008)
I have the feeling that either you don't like Ford or you just have awful taste . . . or both.
Of all the cars you mention the only one that suffers from lack of cohesiveness and plain ugly design is the Focus. and yet is selling like the proverbial hot cakes. Now the trucks, I am just suprised that any regular mortal would know how an E-Series or s Super Duty looks like. Completely irrelevant from a design point of view.
This Lincoln looks very promising but that is about all that can be said since the camouflage is working really well.