Lincoln MKZ concept bows at Detroit auto show

Much has been made about the new face of Ford, which blends European styling with an upscale, sporty flair. But the next look of Lincoln goes in a different direction, harking back to the marque's long lineage with a striking combination of old-school aesthetics and borderline bling. That's evidenced in the MKZ concept, which presages the production version set to arrive later this year. The MKZ concept, which debuts at the Detroit auto show on Tuesday, borrows the split-wing grille design from one of Lincoln's most celebrated cars, the 1938 Zephyr, only this is a modern execution that shoots straight out into the piercing, wraparound headlights. Lincoln grilles historically have been among the brand's signature traits, and this interpretation uses horizontal lines in place of recent models' vertical presentation. But the MKZ concept is far from just a fancy face, closely previewing the next edition of the sedan, which has been completed. This "concept" essentially is a dressed-up version of the final car that will hit dealerships, and the proportions are considerably more dramatic than those of the present model, which has been panned for its similarities to the Ford Fusion. This concept is longer, wider and has a longer wheelbase than the 2012 MKZ. The raked roofline looks rather Audi A7-esque, though Lincoln notes that the MKZ design was finished before the Audi debuted; it just wasn't seen publicly. The concept gets multiunit LED lights, stylish brightwork around the greenhouse, flashy wheels and a stunning panoramic glass roof. Inside, the MKZ concept has a four-seat layout bisected by a sweeping center console. Striking features include a lighted push-button transmission with electric shift actuation, a 10.1-inch LED instrument panel and an eight-inch color touch-screen monitor. The seats are champagne colored, and leather, aluminum and poplar-wood materials are used in the cabin. Essentially this is the car that will be available to consumers, and Lincoln will fortify it with unique engines and an eight-speed transmission. Pricing will start just north of $41,000. Look for the production model at the New York auto show. The MKZ concept arrives as Lincoln gets considerable attention from parent Ford Motor Co., which is funneling people, money and resources into revitalizing its luxury brand. Lincoln also began work on a 40,000-square-foot design studio which will house 180 staffers, its first dedicated style facility since the 1970s. "We've made a commitment to Lincoln," Ford product chief Derrick Kuzak told Autoweek. Lincoln hopes to better compete with Lexus and Cadillac as it refreshes its products with unique sheetmetal. Kuzak says all of the sheetmetal, greenhouse and interiors will be separate from their Ford counterparts. And this time, there will be no mistaking the MKZ for a Ford, because it spells new life for Lincoln.