Lincoln MKR

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This article or section contains information about a concept automobile. It is likely to contain information of a speculative nature, though such must be attributed to relevant sources. Concept cars, by definition, rarely become production models, and any given specifications may change significantly as development progresses.

This article contains information about a scheduled or anticipated future automobile. It may contain preliminary or speculative information, and may not reflect the final version of the vehicle.

Lincoln MKR
Manufacturer	Lincoln
Parent company	Ford Motor Company
Production	2008—
Assembly	TBA
Predecessor	Lincoln Navicross concept
Class	Mid-size luxury car
Body style(s)	4-door coupe
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Ford D2C platform
Engine(s)	3.5L TwinForce V6
Transmission(s)	six-speed automatic
Wheelbase	112.9 in (2868 mm)
Length	195.7 in (4971 mm)
Width	75.4 in (1915 mm)
Height	52.7 in (1339 mm)
Related	Ford Mustang Ford Interceptor
Designer	J Mays Peter Horbury Gordon Platto

The Lincoln MKR concept car is a premium four-door coupe design, introduced during the 2007 North American International Auto Show. It is based on the Ford Mustang's D2C platform. The MKR signals the next-generation of premium Lincoln vehicles, and launches a new TwinForce engine family. Ford Motor Company first unveiled the concept car to the media and the public in a press release on 1 January 2007. [1]

The Lincoln concept features an independent rear suspension, with MacPherson Struts up front.

The engine selected for the MKR concept introduces a new generation TwinForce 3.5L twin-turbo, direct-injection gasoline V6, that is also capable of running on E85 ethanol. It is capable of 415-hp, and 400 foot-pounds force (540 N·m) of torque.

The interior design includes environmentally-friendly and renewable materials, such as cashmere leather, oak instrument panel engineered from recycled wood, mohair carpet, and seat cushion foam made from soy. The concept car also features the THX II-certified car audio system.

Special Projects Inc. located in Plymouth, MI was hired to be responsible for the building of the MKR. Special Projects has previously built many other concept vehicles for Ford including Ford 24/7 and Lincoln Blackwood.

Lincoln’s next flagship sedan, the Lincoln MKS, is due for launch in 2008, and the MKR concept borrows heavily from it. The MKR represents an expression of Lincoln’s future design strategy, which includes seven primary design features: [2]

• Clean and uncluttered body surfaces
• High beltlines
• Chamfered surfaces which run parallel to the beltline
• Twin-port “bow-wave” double-wing front grille - inspired by the 1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet
• Thin horizontal headlamps, and thin LED tailamps that run the width of the vehicle
• Thick C-pillar that smoothly transitions into the cantilevered roof
• Pronounced cantrail / roofrails

If approved, a production version of the MKR would be launched in the 2011 time frame, most likely being assembled at Auto Alliance International in Flat Rock, Michigan alongside the Mustang, with which it shares a platform.

[edit] Specifications

• Powertrain: 3.5-liter V-6 TwinForce engine - 415 hp (309 kW) / 400 lb·ft (540 N·m)
• Chassis Dimensions:
  • Overall length: 195.7 in (4971 mm).
  • Wheelbase: 112.9 in (2868 mm).
  • Overall width: 75.4 in (1915 mm).
  • Overall height at curb: 52.7 in (1339 mm).
  • Front track width: 63.7 in (1618 mm).
  • Rear track width: 63.8 in (1621 mm).
• Brakes: Brembo power 4-wheel disc with ABS and traction control
• Front Suspension: MacPherson struts with rear-facing L-shaped lower control arms and stabilizer bar
• Rear Suspension: Independent rear suspension
• Interior:
  • Front headroom: 37.8 in (960 mm).
  • Rear headroom: 36.9 in (937 mm).
  • Front legroom: 42.7 in (1085 mm).
  • Rear legroom: 33.7 in (856 mm).
• Luggage capacity: 13.0 cu. ft.

[edit] External links

• Ford Motor Company press release on the Lincoln MKR from Media.Ford.com
• Additional fair use candidate image from Ford press kit - Media.Ford.com
• Motor Trend description of Lincoln MKR
• Lincoln MKR description from Edmunds.com
• Ford Motor Company press release on the TwinForce concept engine family