Lincoln MKC Concept

Lincoln MKC Concept With the dramatic unveiling of Lincoln's new MKC (two black-draped models slowly pulling off the scrim as the car rolled down its fashion-inspired runway), marketing veep Jim Farley promised it would offer unprecedented levels of customization. More even than Mini offers, Jim? That's a tall order, but it'll go far toward separating Lincoln from the luxury herd.

 Lincoln MKC Concept

Lincoln MKC Concept

 Lincoln MKC Concept

Lincoln MKC Concept

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Lincoln MKC Concept

Lincoln's crystal-ball gazers predict the small-luxury vehicle segment will continue to grow as it has -- nearly 60 percent in 2012, and 200 percent over the last four years -- as newly affluent customers enter and established customers downsize. Some of Lincoln's growth will be in China, where the brand will begin selling in the second half of 2014. Rather than trying to out-tech the Germans or out-cush the Japanese in the segment, Lincoln is targeting its coming Lincoln MKC small crossover at younger "progressive" buyers who think for themselves and are less wowed by brand cachet. It hopes to land them with warmer, more personal product and dealer interaction, plus "creative uses of technology." With that feel-good preamble, the sheet was whisked off of the MKC Concept that looks, on first glance, like it shares its basic size, proportions, and visual sense of worth with Range Rover's Evoque. (It will probably share that former SUV of the Year's 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine too, but no powertrain info has been released.)   The compact crossover's nose is dominated by Lincoln's split-wing grille, complete with slats that subtly change their shape about a third of the way out from the center, forming a vertical character line that aligns with the edges of a power bulge on the hood. In this case, the material also changes, with a satin chrome inboard and an argent silver after the transition. Slim LED headlamps resemble the MKZ's, but here their basic shape is echoed in mirror image below the bumper for the LED foglamp openings below the bumper, as if reflecting in a still pool of floodwater. The MKC Concept's body side graphics are minimalist but sculptural, with a single strong character line up high that wows out over the wheels, almost fading away in between. Below this are very subtle swells for the wheel arches and a strong kickup above the rocker panels. Around back, the Audi-like hatch accommodates the entire full-width taillamp assembly, meaning a production car would need redundant lighting when traveling with the hatch open. This LED light pipe is racetrack-like, but with a subtle bluish-white outline around the inside of the track. As in the front, the lamp shape is reflected in the full-width surround that incorporates the dual exhaust outlets.   Inside is where the serious coddling -- and clever, if excessive Lincoln branding -- takes place. Lincoln's bulged vertical rectangle, sans cross-bars, is embroidered repeatedly on the seat cushions and door trim. It forms the speaker-grille mesh; it's embossed on the floor mats; it's echoed on the satin-chrome pedals' rubber traction elements, etc. There probably are thousands of these rectangles sprinkled about the interior. The materials are rich and inviting, from the crimson-stitched winter-white leather swathing everything from the A-pillars down, to the unique wood trim (dark, edge-grain wood plies separated by lines of metal flake). The way the front grille strakes change shape is echoed in the dash A/C vents and in the cargo-area rub strips. And of course miles of white LED ambient lighting loop through the car. Concept-vehicle touches include a completely clear glass roof (perhaps with electrochromic dimming) traversed by a pair of ambient-lit satin-chrome bars running the length of the vehicle, and a champagne cooler with two flutes in the rear console. Lincoln was cagey about the MKC's technological creativity, except to say it would provide a new level of driver personalization, especially as pertains to the way the car wakes and comes to life upon recognizing its driver. We expect the production version to slim down to nearer the Escape's width, as it will share that platform and probably the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine--perhaps tuned a bit closer to the Focus ST's level of output? The C-Max's basic hybrid system could present another option for differentiating the MKC from the Escape. Expect more details to be revealed later in this auto show season.