14 Jan 08
Ford's upmarket Lincoln brand is to offer a version of the upcoming Ford Flex luxury MPV-crossover.
The Lincoln MKT will be offered with a different engine, however: Ford's twin-turbo, direct-injection EcoBoost 3.5 V6 (340bhp), as also previewed in the Ford Explorer America concept, with six-speed automatic transmission and electronic four-wheel-drive. This engine is also E85 (85% ethanol) compatible: when running on this fuel, or on higher-octane premium gasoline, it can deliver 415bhp and 400 lb ft.
Equipment is expected to include intelligent cruise control, xenon headlamps, advanced communications system with hard drive and Ford's Sync kit, reversing cameras, voice-activated controls, a surround-sound audio system, and no-expense-spared wood trim and leather upholstery in its roomy cabin.
The concept car shows a four-seat layout with "executive-sized" chairs and a full-length centre console, footrests and heated/cooled thigh rests for second-row occupants, ambient lighting, rear-view cameras for 'conferencing' with passengers, instruments with 3D projected images, LED displays and an instrument cluster inspired by Swarovski crystals.
Ford is pitching the MKT as an environmentally-friendly alternative to gas-guzzling V8-engined SUVs, in keeping with the MKT's tagline of "responsible luxury". So the cabin incorporates recycled plastic resins, made from soft-drink bottles and polyester wastes, a banana-silk floor rug, reconstituted oak veneer and chromium-free leather.
Pricing and specification will be pitched higher than for the Flex - a starting point of $45,000 has been rumoured.
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