This is it, the 2010 Lincoln MKT on the streets of Dearborn. It's scheduled for an official debut at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, but like the 2010 Ford Taurus seen yesterday, this prototype is nearly uncovered.
No big surprises here as the finished product looks much like the concept shown at last year's Detroit show. You've got your big waterfall grille up front, an interesting up kick in the beltline toward the back and a full width taillight treatment across the tailgate.
This particular prototype also wore an "Ecoboost" badge, so Ford's new twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 is most certainly under the hood. No word yet on what the final horsepower numbers will be, but something in the 350 horsepower range is expected. And judging by the size of this sucker, it's going to need it.
The interior is fully finished and it looks pretty good. A thick-rimmed steering wheel, minimal button clutter and some high quality wood trim make it look like a proper luxury vehicle. Figure on three rows of seats and all the latest gadgets like Sync, a THX sound system and optional DVD screens in back.
flicmod says:
10:34 AM, 12/23/08
Is this thing based off of the Flex platform?
I must say that the interior while conservative is very appealing. The material quality looks top-notch and Lincoln has done a much better job at the layout of the center stack than in recent history.
Also, it's humorous that it's next to an MKX at the red light. What are the odds?
arumage says:
10:52 AM, 12/23/08
Yes, it is based on the Flex. I think they did a great job differentiating the two. I'm glad there are not hundreds of buttons on the console too.
flicmod says:
11:11 AM, 12/23/08
I agree with that arumage. It's not a blatant clone. There seemingly aren't even any body panels that share the same lines as the Flex. Good job Ford!
kcram says:
01:36 PM, 12/23/08
While it doesn't resemble the Flex, it does also share the platform of the outgoing Taurus X and is more true to that type of lineage... Taurus->Taurus X, and MKS->MKT. It also looks too much like the MKX, just with am MKS grille.
Ironically, the platform-related Volvo XC may be better executed than these Fords. If Ford really wanted to make a statement, they'd replace the Navigator with a car-based vehicle and beat GM (Escalade) by a few years.
roar02ram says:
02:00 PM, 12/23/08
kcram - good point. Why couldn't they badge this thing Navigator? Seems like it'd be more in line with what they need. And it'd spare them irreverantly slapping the name on this thing 2 years from now like they did with the Five Hundred/Taurus.
But this sure is a big moose of a crossover...that has maybe 2 competitors that I can think of - the Enclave & the M-B R-Class. I don't think that GL/Escalade comparisons are warranted as long as the Navigator's around.
Are they ahead of the curve or selling to an audience that isn't there (see R-Class)?
albook says:
03:18 PM, 12/23/08
We can't really pass judgement until we've seen it, but from what I've seen, I don't like any front view. It looks good from the rear angles. I'm still not sold with that grille on the MKS. But I like that CX-9/Q7 look I see in the rear.
billt9 says:
04:07 PM, 12/23/08
I really like the new grille.
Ya this should be the new Navigator.
The current Navigator is ridiculous. It's almost unimaginable why any one would create the current Navigator that's on the market.
arumage says:
07:02 PM, 12/23/08
The R-class is a minivan on steroids. That's more why it doesn't sell. Why take a good chassis, capable of so much, and put a minivan body on it?
smrtypants44 says:
07:57 AM, 12/29/08
it looks like a lincoln CX-9
hondacura4 says:
08:47 AM, 01/ 4/09
I like it until I got to the kink in the beltline. After that its all visual mass! Get rid of the kink and take away the visual mass.