Lincoln MKR
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.
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 pound-feet 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 and 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 next rear-wheel drive flagship sedan, the production version of the Lincoln MKS, is due for launch in 2008, and borrows heavily from the MKR concept. The MKR represents an expression of Lincoln future design strategy, which includes seven primary design features:
* 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.
