Car Review: 2015 Lincoln MKC AWD

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Lincoln Motor Company’s transformation takes a major step forward with the unveiling of the all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC small premium utility vehicle, and we had the opportunity to test drive this attractive vehicle. There is no doubt that when you first see the MKC, her appealing design really stands out.

EXTERIOR

The 2015 Lincoln MKC is striking from all angles and clearly has the right look to succeed in a very crowded market. The MKC presents a sleek, sculpted body that helps it stand out among peers. Its high beltline and low shoulders create a sturdy, athletic presence, while features such as soft exterior lighting, pedestal side-view mirrors and an available panoramic, all-glass Vista Roof give the vehicle a luxurious, sophisticated personality. Our ruby red metallic MKC looked sleek with 19-inch, five-spoke wheels. From its signature split-wing grille, to its uniquely crafted, hands-free wraparound liftgate, the Lincoln DNA is evident and showing great confidence in this new offering!

MKC will greet owners with exclusive Approach Detection, which senses when an owner is near and responds by illuminating “welcome mats” on the ground next to both front doors. Simultaneously, headlamps, taillamps and door handles glow with soft lighting tuned to complement the vehicle’s exterior color.

INTERIOR

The unique design also carries through to the interior, where craftsmanship and high-tech combine to offer a warm, luxurious environment. An architecturally unique instrument panel showcases Lincoln’s signature push-button gear shifter, which provides an open, inviting interior space. Plush leathers with French stitching and available Bridge of Weir leather and real wood trim accentuate MKC’s elegance and grace. To be more consistent with the Lincoln driving experience, an all-new Lincoln steering wheel debuts on MKC and will be available on all future Lincoln vehicles. This highly tactile, leather-wrapped wheel provides better feeling and control and puts the brand’s new design DNA in the driver’s hands.

The enhanced THX II Certified Audio System, an industry-first featuring THX-distributed bass technology and 14 right-, center- and left-slot speaker assemblies, is available. The state-of-the-art audio system delivers a rich, immersive surround sound experience that reproduces music as it was mixed in the studio. SYNC with MyLincoln Touch enables drivers to personalize MKC by using voice-activated commands or simple touch controls on the class-exclusive 8-inch touch screen. Knobs and buttons on the center console provide additional and easy access to control the air conditioning and sound system.

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Car Review: 2013 Lincoln MKZ AWD

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The future of Lincoln is here, and there’s a whole bunch of style and substance that wasn’t present in their cars before the 2013 Lincoln MKZ AWD arrived this year. The new MKZ is the first Lincoln created by a dedicated team in its new Lincoln Design Studio with a sweeping profile that incorporates one of the world’s widest-opening retractable glass roofs. This new offering from Lincoln was a major test for Lincoln, and we spent a week behind the wheel to see if the folks at Lincoln delivered.

EXTERIOR

A sweeping roofline defines the new luxury sedan’s profile. The steeply raked windshield and lengthened backlight make for a sleeker and more flowing appearance that is 10 percent more aerodynamic than the model it replaces. Although strikingly modern, the design retains classic Lincoln design elements, including a more refined interpretation of the split-wing grille, first seen on the 1938 Lincoln-Zephyr. Rearview mirrors stand on door-mounted, sculpted pedestals. This fitment enables the front door glass to extend farther forward to improve visibility and to allow even more light into the interior. The crafted headlamp assemblies include bright, energy-efficient LED lighting. The front headlights turn in sync with the steering wheel, providing enhanced visibility. At the rear, LED technology enabled a thin, distinctive full-width tail lamp graphic. There is no doubt that the MKZ is a real attention grabber on the road, as the looks and compliments were coming from all directions.

INTERIOR

When I first entered the cabin of the 2013 Lincoln MKZ AWD, the striking improvements from the prior model weren’t even on my mind as I just thought that this new car from Lincoln had one of the sharpest interiors I’ve seen no matter what segment we’re testing. Design teams clearly created an inviting interior featuring bold architectural elements, rich natural materials and fine details.

This is the type of functional interior that will appeal to younger and more diverse drivers that appreciate luxury and technology. Innovation and technology abound inside the new MKZ. Replacing the traditional mechanical transmission shift lever is a contemporary five-button interface. The individual buttons of Push Button Shift engage Park, Neutral, Reverse, and forward gears in two modes, Drive and Sport. Push Button Shift gave designers freedom to create a sculptural multi-level center console with more functional storage areas.

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