The upcoming
MKT is a Lincoln like no other. An exercise in technology and style, the unique-looking 7-seat crossover is penned in a way that brings the brand's presence on the road to a new level.
The MKT will be available with some high-tech, high-class features, including an advanced parking assist system and a twin-turbocharged
EcoBoost engine. It's also got a unique-looking backside that's sure to go down in the books.
Justin Pritchard spoke to Pat Schivone, Ford's Design Director, at the Canadian International Auto Show (CIAS) in Toronto. Here are some excerpts from the interview, where they discussed some of the challenges of applying Lincoln's sleek new styling language to the new Crossover.
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| Interview with Pat Schivone, Ford's Design Director |
JP: What is the challenge of applying Lincoln's sexy, sleek, elegant new sedan design to a vehicle that's much larger than a Lincoln sedan?PS: That was the challenge. We were re-inventing the Lincoln DNA with this vehicle. It's the epitome of where Lincoln is going to go. We're growing our design, and making it more modern.
We really wanted to get to the essence of what Lincoln's always meant. Throughout history, despite being understated and sophisticated, there was always a really classy character. Think of John F Kennedy, or the fifties Mark 2 Lincoln. There was always a really classy element to the Lincoln brand.
We wanted that to be a part of the new vehicle, but it's also the 21st century-- so it had to be a very modern looking car, too. Ultimately, we didn't want it to be retro in any way though, but rather to have a combination of pure, sophisticated elegance and modernity.
JP: Your split-waterfall grille is a unique styling element. What's going on with that?PS: The face of a vehicle is important, especially when you're creating a new design and a new DNA. What we discovered was that the split 'bow wave' grille was present throughout history. Even back in the thirties, the original Continental had this type of grille.
We thought that we could re-interpret it in a new, modern way-- and that it would allow the design to grow. We loved the way the was surrounded by body-color between the grille, rather than just having a chrome emblem on a chrome grille. We knew it was a good starting point to take the new look.
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| 2010 Lincoln MKT |
JP: You mentioned that the face of a vehicle is its most important design aspect. The rear of this vehicle looks like nothing else on the road, though. Can you tell us a bit more about that?PS: We have what we call 'zero-offset' bumpers on here, which is where the modernity comes in. In front and rear, you won't see a conventional bumper 'shelf'. It's just a really smooth shape that makes it modern looking.
There's still a bumper beneath it, and the car meets five-star crash ratings and all federal regulations- but we were able to fool you a little bit with a pure, clean and simple shape that looks like it has no bumpers.
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| 2010 Lincoln MKT |
JP: So who's buying these? What's the Lincoln MKT customer looking for?PS: I think it's somebody that wants to give themselves a bit of a reward. They've been successful, they still have a family and they still need to carry a lot of people. So the third row of seats and extra functionality is important. But this buyer doesn't want to compromise, and wants to give themselves a bit of a gift.
JP: How do you come to a conclusion on which paint colors to offer? Why couldn't you order this MKT in bright orange?PS: This is a long, drawn-out selection process. We argue about it, look at trends, and so on. Color selection has to be what the brand is all about.
You'll see deeper, more burgundy reds than bright reds. You'll see different types of silvers, because silver looks very sophisticated. We're even using a new 'tuxedo black' which has no metallic flakes in it, but glass beads instead, for this unique rainbow effect when the sun hits it. The colors on a luxury vehicle have to reflect the nature of that brand.
photo:Matthieu Lambert, Lincoln
