Tuesday, January 10, 2012

2013 Lincoln MKZ—Theirs/Mine. Close/No Cigar!

2013 MKZ concept vehicle just shown in Detroit—the first fastback Lincoln since the 1949 Cosmopolitan Town Sedan!

The glass roof, arched roofline, full width taillights and letterspaced L-I-N-C-O-L-N on the trunklid were previewed on my MKE below. What I don't "get" on this car, is the matte black panel below the rear window on the trunklid. I 'm guessing it's supposed to make the rear window look larger, but it's an odd fake touch to me. I would have worked out a different solution.
 
B R E A K I N G   N E W S — Just introduced at the North American International Automobile Show in Detroit, this Lincoln MKZ concept vehicle is a thinly disguised peek at their production version due in the Spring. I'm still digesting the details, and trying to decide just how much of the car is "show" and how much will be on the production version. Overall, I'm struck at the difference between Cadillac's design direction, which borders on macho and performance, and Lincoln's, which seems to be smoothly futuristic and efficient. Of course, both are full luxury automakers, and both will offer all the electronic bells and whistles necessary in today's market, but the way they're going about it is striking. In all of my 30+ chops of new Lincolns in the past 18 months, I didn't quite get "there" with the MKZ, but parts of mine have shown up on this concept. 

Even though I used a 4-window greenhouse instead of the new concept's 6-window, there is something about the overall geometric shape of the windows and arched roof of my MKE and the MKZ concept car that are very similar. I'm glad to see L-I-N-C-O-L-N letterspaced on the rear trunklid of the real car, too.

I was "designing" fastback Lincolns as long ago as 1988!

 Another fastback, glass-roofed MKZ, my Sportback from 2010.

My fastback MKZ coupe from early 2011.


 Another of my fastback MKZ renderings, this time a sedan from 2011. I emphasized the fastback with a horizontal triangular sixth window, and Lincoln has demphasized theirs with a slimmer, more vertical sixth window, but the idea of a sleeker, fastback Lincoln is very similar.

My Lincoln MKL from 2010 used a 6-window greenhouse very similar to the new MKZ concept.

10 comments:

  1. I guess that black panel that attempts to visually extend the rear window is from the same school of thought that put those black C pillars on the Jaguar XJ. Neither application makes a whole lot of sense, And, although I doubt they will every do it, I'm sorry that they didn't use center-opening doors on this new MKZ(ephyr). I must say I think this concept is a big step up from the current model and I hope they can do something equally dramatic with the woefully ill-proportioned MKS. And then a rear-wheel drive V8 Lincoln, please!!!!

    Paul, NYC

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  2. I'm still hopeful for Lincoln, too. They're not really gunning for Cadillac anymore though, so it's going to be fun to see where they're going!

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  3. I'LL BUY ONE ONLY IF THEY INSTALL A FOOTREST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SO I CAN TRAVEL.

    HOW ARE YOU DOING CASEY? FORGET TO ASK WHEN I MAKE COMMENTS.

    GRANNY

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  4. Casey, I'll take your MKL - what a sleek and beautiful car. I even love the color, lol.

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  5. PX: That MKL would look good with your current fleet!

    Granny: Good days and bad days, you know, thank you. How are you feeling after your fall? I hope back to 100% by now.

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  6. I agree 100% with Keith, your design stand out a lot more compared to the concept. Fusion is better IMHO.

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  7. I'M HEALED UP EXCEPT THERE'S A SPOT ON MY SKULL THAT JUST FEELS ODD. THERE'S STILL A DENT AND A STINGING. NOT BAD. NO HEADACHE.LIKE YOU GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS. WHAT A LIFE!!!!!!!!.

    GRANNY

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  8. Casey--

    I just stumbled upon your blog from Hemmings Blog, and as I was perusing your custom Lincolns (my all-time favorite luxury brand!) I found the white fastback MKZ. Let me just say that your rendering should be the new face of Lincoln. I can't believe how quickly I fell in love with that front end. I like the split wing grill, and what you did in the photo is the best looking rendition of it I have ever seen! I just cannot get over it! Keep up the amazing work!!

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  9. thank you, Mk8! Lincoln is my favorite brand, too. I should have some new ones in a month or so. I hope you keep checking back now that you've found my car site!

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  10. What I like about fastback cars like the MKZ is their curvy appearance, which serves both an aesthetic and functional purpose. The aerodynamic design of the roof line reduces the drag while driving, and this means better fuel efficiency. Anyway, I would prefer to own either the 2011 white one or the upcoming 2013 in bloody red.

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