If the Lincoln brand is to do more than subsist, its pending flagship, the MKS sedan, will have to well and truly bring the fight to the competition.
These are the first known shots of the Mazda6-based luxury saloon, which debuted at the North American International Auto Show in 2006. Sources peg the car as riding on either a derivation of the P2 architecture that underpins Volvo’s S80, or a stretched version of the Mazda6 platform. And while this prototype is heavily cladded, the roofline and general shape of the car appears to be faithful to that of the concept.
The spy shooters over at KGP notes that the mule’s grille looks rather different than the showcar, with a design that is reminiscent of 2007’s MKR concept, which also debuted in Detroit. The taillamps have also been changed over to a clear element design, with what KGP calls a “neon red glow” when activated. We’re betting on LEDs.
The big difference from the concept, of course, is that it won’t arrive with a V-8 engine, a controversial move that could put a crimp in Ford’s plans to challenge the best that Europe and Japan has to offer. The saloon was originally earmarked to receive a derivation of the Yamaha 4.4-liter V-8 unit from Ford’s Swedish outpost, Volvo, but the extra cylinders were reportedly nixed out of cost concerns last summer.
(Click through to the jump for KGP’s thoughts on the subject, but be sure to check out the high-res gallery of images by clicking on the thumbnails below)
Lincoln appears to be finally preparing a credible entry above the Mazda6-based MKZ, in the guise of this prototype for the Lincoln MKS. The MKS–first seen as a concept at the Detroit’s 2006 North American International Auto Show–looks like it has made a smooth transition from show car to reality, with minimal changes to the car’s overall shape. The main character lines and greenhouse shape mimic the concept, with noticeable differences residing only in the details.
This prototype’s grille displays surface development different from
the MKS concept, leaning instead toward the sexy ‘07 MKR concept
(except for the MKR’s split-grille design). The MKS’ upswept headlight slits will reach production with minor alterations to the internal lighting elements themselves. The concept’s red tail-lights have been changed to white on this prototype, with a pleasing neon red glow when activated. The tail-light shape itself appears largely unchanged.
The MKS concept had a 114-inch wheelbase, and a 4.4-liter 315- horsepower V8, and production versions were pegged to have the Yamaha derived 4.8-liter V8, currently found in the Volvo XC90. That engine program has reportedly been scrapped, however, due to cost concerns, possibly leaving this Lincoln flagship to soldier on with only a V6 option.
We expect to see this production MKS go public next January at the
2008 NAIAS.
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