I mean, Holy Jesus, look at the thing! This could be the one example of a concept car whose drama shouldn't make it to production. Automobile Mag has Brenda Priddy's spy shots of the camo prototype, whose see-through bra reveals that the model's most hideous aspect– the cetacean snout– will be offending eyeballs everywhere. Well, not everywhere; the three-row Flex-based luxury CUV is bound to be a sales disaster. Once again, the "Reach Higher" brand has reached deeper into Ford's parts bin to devise a low-cost (for them) alternative to a "real" Lincoln. What is a "real Lincoln" you ask? Whatever it is, it's not an alphanumerically-named vehicle with about as much suave sophistication as Hooters' Bikini Contest 2008– only with a lot less aesthetic appeal. And does this MKT step all over the MKX? Yes. And does Lincoln sell six vehicles? Yes. And did I, a professional automotive journalist, have to visit the Lincoln website to make sure I remembered them all and got the nomenclature correct? Yes.
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It is not often I use this word, but this is a perfect time. That thing is repulsive!
Not to mention that the overpriced bread-box that is the Flex…IS NOT SELLING. Ford has a huge inventory (134 days) and is cutting back production. What makes them think that people are going to fork over “luxury car” money on a “near luxury” brand? If this Lincoln Flex used the Flex’ price scale…it may have had a chance.
Oh well, another ugly Ford that people won’t buy.
I kind of think it’s awesome. Like some kind of H. R. Giger skull.
I still wouldn’t buy one.
My addled mind read “Mark LT” before realizing it was this crossover thing by the time the page opened.
If I’m confused, how is the average customer supposed to get it straight? Continental, that sticks in my mind.
Lord, did they hire H.P. Lovecraft as an artist?
Mercedes-Benz tried to approach luxury buyers with the R-Class, a minivan/SUV alternative, and that was a sales failure in the US market. What makes Lincoln think that they can do any better with this?
I don’t why this is so difficult to understand. Make a good RWD sports sedan and the world is your oyster. Ask Infiniti and BMW.
I wonder if the money wasted on this and the Flex could have been devoted to development of an IRS version of the Mustang platform?
One of the gasoline companies has had ads with grinning cars, this reminds me of those ads.
John
As I’ve said before, this is perhaps the best vehicle Lincoln could launch right now. Think of it as a Reboot of sorts, not only of the brand itself, but of the way that luxury is percieved. This is a modern interpretation of the Mark V.
I think the flex is still a good product, launched at completely the wrong time.
The MKT however, is just wrong all around. Who’s going to buy this over an X5, a GL or even a Caddy?
Ha! A design that evokes references to Giger and Lovecraft in the same blog post! It will be a hit with the goths.
Good God that is ugly and more importantly stupid looking. Luxury buyers don’t like to look stupid in their cars. If this is a more expensive Flex, how much does it cost $60,000, who would pay that much for a Lincoln, they realize it’s a Lincoln they are selling or did they forget they don’t own Jag anymore. Man that is one stupid grill and confusing with the naming, lettering whatever they call it.
Just when I was starting to think Ford was getting their act together.
What is a real Lincoln? It certainly isn’t anything sold with the name on it today.
I saw plenty of real Lincolns this past weekend at the Dream Cruise. Like the suicide-doored Continental of the 1960s, or the massive personal luxury coupe Mark VII.
Lincoln concepts from years ago had the right idea on styling, but it’s never been implemented into production. All the names the brand was known for were killed and replaced with new, meaningless alphabet soup names with new styling that doesn’t capture the style that made the brand of yore.
Pretty much the same story with every American brand.
Personally, I can’t wait to see the entire product in the flesh. I’m tingling with anticipation …
From the Automobile link: Although a concept MKT debuted at the 2008 North American International Auto Show to mixed reviews, much of the concept’s styling seems to carry over to production. Expect the MKT to keep the concept’s face, distinctive C-pillar, and strong beltline.
Mixed reviews. Mixed reviews! Replace “mixed reviews” with “screams of horror.” And Lincoln is going to “carry over” the styling. What a disaster. My eyes hurt. My camera would explode if I tried to take a picture of that grill.
Why can’t automakers make beautiful, reasonably priced cars anymore? The Ford/Lincoln team obviously spent much time & effort on distiguishing this design from the Flex, but the result is at best disastrous (and at worst, well, something far below disastrous).
Perhaps a QOTD: Where are the beautiful and cheap cars? Our market seems perfect for a cheap and cheery (Chery?) car. I’m thinking something like the Mini (it’s not “MINI” – I don’t care what BMW says), minus the Mini premium. Maybe the next gen Focus and Fiesta will fit the bill (fingers crossed).
While I do not find this vehicle attractive, I believe that there actually are fans of this new design direction. An uncle of mine was driving with me and as a Lincoln MKZ passed, he remarked what a nice looking car it was. I was kind of surprised that ANYONE would find it attractive, but there you go. This will appeal to some people that believe that luxury is a ton of chrome.
Lets wait to see the production model to judge it. It already looks quite a bit longer and more upright than the concept.
mocktard :
I kind of think it’s awesome. Like some kind of H. R. Giger skull.
You’re right. Don’t be anywhere near the front of it when it opens it’s mouth to reveal that mouth-within-a-mouth!
I still wouldn’t buy one.
Me neither. I’m waiting for the one with tendacles!
I think the concept is wonderful…really innovative in style. That it turns off so many people is mere testament to how rigid people can be about new styling–and why focus group designed cars are so boring.
That said, Lincoln has ruined the MKT. Where the concept is bold and in your face and evocative of past Lincoln designs, the actual car in spy photos has been blanded down within an inch of its life. I know that some of you will celebrate that, but 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.
The MKT concept photos are absolutely beautiful, the camo shots, eh, not so much, but all cars look hideous in camo.
As for sales success of this, I could see it being popular. The MKX is already a hit, but a lot of people want something with more space, but not the thirst for fuel that the Navigator provides.
What makes a Lincoln a Lincoln? In my mind it is distinctive yet somewhat reserved styling, interior comfort with high grade materials, a ride that balances coddling with hints of sportiness, technology implemented with perfect ergonomics, and good value when comparing features/price against other luxury brands. These are what made the Continental, Mark VIII, and now the MKS success stories. The days of the big boat Town Car are over, with the model hanging on simply to satisfy livery fleets and octogenarians who want to buy one last vehicle before they give up on driving altogether.
Lincoln is not going to be as cutting edge, over-engineered, or over-priced as Mercedes, not as sporty but more comfortable than BMW, and more American than Lexus/Infinity/Acura (which does help to sell a good number of cars).
Everyone who has commented on the Flex from the driver’s seat seems to have great things to say, so with superior styling, more features, and even more refinement inside (and the Flex starts out with a damn nice interior) this has success written all over it.
The Lincoln version is not for me but I look forward to the Mercury McDLT.
I don’t why this is so difficult to understand. Make a good RWD sports sedan and the world is your oyster. Ask Infiniti and BMW.
They did. It was called the Lincoln LS.
Of course, Ford kneecapped it from the factory by giving it junior-Town Car styling, the world’s soggiest automatic transmission, an anemic six, no V8/Manual halo model and innumerable quality and reliablility glitches, but fundamentally it was could have been a great sports sedan.
This is pretty typical of Ford. Unlike GM, which seems to benchmark 80% and reach it consistently, Ford develops what could be a 110% car, and then shoots itself in the foot.
The Lincoln Fusion will have a grille similar to this MKT thing. So it will be hideous as well.
Actually…looking at the MKT…it could be the Joker’s car…I think we have it’s calling.
Aw, c’mon; tell me this is a joke – like rubber dog turds.
I don’t know….at least on looks/presence/style, I gotta say I like this thing quite a bit. Its very different, has a great stance for a vehicle like this, and really stands out. I was surprised how much I liked it when i saw it at the Detroit show.
As far as how well it will sell…who knows. Cars like this aren’t selling worth beans now, no matter how good they are. On one hand, maybe it being a more lux brand will help? Even so, I suspect even crossovers like the Acura MDX or the Lexus RX are struggling, so this might too.
But I gotta disagree with you on the looks. I really do like it.
This might give the Aztek a run for it’s money. Yikes!
Giger, Lovecraft as inspirations? I wish. Think more in terms of Hallowe’en pumpkin – seriously, stare at it head on for a minute.
It is from the new Batman IX, The Joker Returns From Bareback Mounting.
It replaces the car destroyed in the last movie.
I don’t think it would stop me from buying one if the fundamentals were good, i.e, no anemic V6, no slushbox automatic trans, and no floaty isolated road feel. Unfortunately, these things seem to define Lincoln.
I absolutely like that look. Masculine-very. Batmanesque-somewhat. Will it sell-at a trickle.
At least it doesn’t look like a rebadged Ford, like all the other lincoln’s-save the clown car. I’d like to see the back end. Ford just refuses, like GM to ‘GET IT’…copy Toyota and that includes quality. However, it may be too late to do any of that. The sun is setting ever so fast on Detroit.
Okay I know where they got the “inspiration” for the grill, Wahoo the Cleveland Indians long time logo, the Indian with the big grin. Look it up, same thing.
By the way, nice house.
why is everybody hating on this? bmw makes an x6 and wtf is that? it looks like a hatchback x5 and cost 70k. people may b buying it. but they r badge hoes. so y is everyone bashing this? cuz its domestic? i think this is a much neede vehicle for lincoln to compete wit the luxury brands
Is that one of those Jefferson Starships I hear so much about?
“Hideous-looking” would be a farfetched compliment. Lincoln, go back and look at your 1938 Zephyr. That is how to do a whale-mouth grille–if you must.
Looks like a bug eyed evil alien from the Independence day movie.
And in keeping with the lovecroft theme:
“Ride of Ctulhu”
A face only a Mother could love.
The front end reminds me of the face carved into a pumpkin for a jack-O-latern after it’s been sitting outside for a couple of weeks. in case you haven’t guessed it; that’s not a compliment.
Don’t know if I like it or hate I just can’t stop looking at it. Little creepy.
Lincoln station wagon? Has this ever happened before?
NickR:
Exactly.
A jack-o’-lantern was the first thing I thought of when I saw it.
Maybe Ford can build a Mercury version of the Flex that looks like the Easter bunny.
From a long ago episode of The Simpsons:
Clown Car. Will. Eat. me.
My God, it looks like a sperm whale. Who the hell
allowed that to be built??
SteveKBLeitch
You guys can tell all this from a couple of camo’ed spy shots?
Thought it was a picture of a salesman in front of a time share condo.
Customer would be the same for either the MKT or the time share, though.
Epiphany. Gonna invest all my retirement funds in derivatives…
whatsanobeen :
August 19th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Mercedes-Benz tried to approach luxury buyers with the R-Class, a minivan/SUV alternative, and that was a sales failure in the US market. What makes Lincoln think that they can do any better with this?
And the R-Class doesn’t look like…like…whatever the hell that thing is. That has a front end that will scare small children. And their parents.
@John R,
Yeah that was called the LS. As psarhjinian said, it was a great car but was styled like a Mitsubishi Diamante and had quality issues. The chassis was awesome. My dad had 2 and they would give a Bimmer 5 series a run for its money with that sweet Yamaha V8 and nuetral handling. Ford only managed to get the LS, the Jag S-type and the T-Bird out of that $1B platform, then they scrapped it in favor of the cursed D3.
The only good thing I can say about the MKT is that it would be the first Lincoln in the last 4 new models to have the same grill as another model in the lineup.
Mullaly has the business acumen, there is no doubt, but the on thing he doesn’t have is a sense for what makes a great car. In fact, nobody at Ford does. Mark Fields and Jay Mays are supposed to be those guys, which is why they should be fired right now.
Well, at least it’s not a badge job.
This thing is so wrong on so many levels.
From the spyshots it looks like there’s some type of Continental bulge on the back that’s been subject to a modern interpretation.
That grill may be one of the worst ever. That weird funky/retro grill on the MKX at least has some heritage to it, but this thing is just bad for the sake of bad.
They should put that grill on their tombstone.
Number 6:
They should put that grill on their tombstone.
I think it is bad enough to scare even ghosts away…
I was going to write that I didn’t think this was that bad… then I went to Lincoln site and looked at more pics.
It’s hideous.
Still there is a market for ugly and expensive, in fact Chris Bangle has made a living off of it.
The true head-scratching comes when you think, Ford needs a low-consumption, high-volume product. This is a high-consumption, low-volume product.
Wrong car, wrong time, too bad they can’t trade it to GM. I’m sure it would have made a great Aztek 2.0
Why so serious? The front countenance reminds me of the Joker in the new Batman movie.
A car called the Flex, the problem starts there for me. Flex what?
guyincognito : Mullaly has the business acumen, there is no doubt, but the on thing he doesn’t have is a sense for what makes a great car. In fact, nobody at Ford does. Mark Fields and Jay Mays are supposed to be those guys, which is why they should be fired right now.
Yup, nobody has the stones to admit that the D3 platform is a lost cause. Its too big for a fake-truck, FWD based and too boring. Maybe EcoBoost will help, but this application is still a nose heavy station wagon with a Lincoln badge.
Since I’m one of the resident history buffs: Lee Iacocca took the 1980s Mark VI and tried a wagon version based on the Crown Vic (it was already based on the Panther coupe and sedan chassis)…it was much, much uglier than the MKT.