Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close

  • 🚗 Your People Are Here. Get In.

    The internet is full of car content. This is the community.

    Cheers & Gears has been bringing enthusiasts together since 2001. Join the conversation, show off your garage, and find your people.

  • Drew Dowdell
    Drew Dowdell

    By Drew Dowdell •

    Lincoln MKZ Concept

    Lincoln took the wraps of their MKZ Concept to be shown tomorrow at the North American International Auto Show.

    This is a styling exercise over top of what will eventually be the production version of the MKZ. At the time of this posting, no power train details have been released, but if you pick from any of Ford's larger EcoBoost 4 cylinders, the hybrid announced for the new Ford Fusion, and a V6, in front wheel and all wheel drive configurations, you'll see the general shape of things under the hood.

    We'll have more for you from the Lincoln press conference tomorrow. In the meantime, dive in and dish on the press photos below.

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    ocnblu

    Looking closely at the photo taken from the middle of the back seat looking forward at the dash, I am shocked at how sloppily sewn the front seats are. The driver's side is especially bad, the leather cover doesn't even fit the darker backing panel, and there even appear to be spots of dirt on the piping on both front seats. How this got past the people in charge of photographing this important concept for the entire future of the Lincoln brand is beyond me. This is supposed to be hand-made to perfection, not a Friday assembly line special. Jaw-dropper.

    I like the rear end of the concept. The little quarter glass is a near doppelganger for the XTS. The shoulder line recalls Lincoln strength in past designs.

    Edited by ocnblu
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Robert Hall

    Interesting...I like how small the front and rear lights are, esp. the rear...the side glass profile reminds me of the 'small' Roller... one detail I don't like is the black area at the bottom of the rear window.. Lots of interesting surfaces..

    The current MKZ is the entry-level model, but the article on Autoblog is claiming the wheelbase of the concept is 112... the MKS wheelbase is 112.9. Hard to tell in isolated photos, but it looks bigger than the Fusion.

    Edited by Cubical-aka-Moltar
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    SoCalCTS

    The rear is ugly from the side view. The headlights are going to end up much bigger in the production version which will ruin the look of the front end. I'm not a big fan of the horizontal surfaces running along the sides of the car. Its a step in the right direction but it doesn't go far enough.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    intrigued

    I really like the side profile and the rear. From head on it's fine but the front 3/4 angle it screams Sonata. I hope that with it toned down (very slightly) the design will come together. The msot disapointing thing is that there are no powertrain details. I too am asuming the 2.0t will be the base, along with a hybrid option but the performance engine is the big question. Ford has a turbo v6 in the works that's in the 2.7-3.0 liter range. I was hopeing we'd see it revealed here.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Blake Noble

    I think the front of the MKZ looks great. Its when you get to its bustled back the whole design starts to fall apart.

    I don't see this being nearly as detailed as the concept. Sure, the styling will be different from the Ford Fusion, but once again I think once this hits production and becomes watered down it will be a case of "same old, same old."

    It did, however, start smoking right in front of me.

    post-51-0-82842500-1326212991.png

    I don't know if I should laugh or be appalled, given the sloppiness of build ocn pointed out.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Robert Hall

    The MKS is much better in person. Lincoln seems to have suffered a case of "GM Press Photos syndrome".

    It did, however, start smoking right in front of me.

    post-51-0-82842500-1326212991.png

    Hmm...don't see an ashtray or a cubby so it's probably not a case of someone dropping their ciggy...something electrical gone awry in the door?

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    ocnblu

    How many cars can I spot in this design? We have XTS rear quarter glasses with a hint of R-R, A7 roofline droop and ducktail (done infinitely better on the Audi), Volvo S80 decklid sides and top of rear quarters... jeez, this is no '61 Continental for originality.

    It also shares the XTS' miniscule decklid length.

    Reminds me of 1930's aerodynamic study cars updated. And the new Lincoln front... no aggression or authority whatsoever, it's like totally blah.

    Fusion is more beautiful. I am even less hopeful for Lincoln after seeing this. Only thing I am rooting for is the strong, horizontal shoulder line that holds onto the '61 Continental for a familial connection. But even that droops at the tail end, it's not razor straight.

    Edited by ocnblu
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    smk4565

    Ford seems to be really upset that they don't have Jaguar and Aston Martin and now wants every car to copy that styling. This reminds me of the XJ a lot from the side. They can style it anyway they want, it is still a Fusion, they are still dying.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    SAmadei

    The photo album is resizing the images and getting the aspect ratio screwed up. I don't think I care much for the car, but the photos make the car seem insignificant and the aspect ratio skew is really warping them.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    NINETY EIGHT REGENCY

    The front end is all wrong on the car. The front end grille reminds of a 1982 Oldsmobile 88. The angle of the rear reminds me of the 1st generation Oldsmobile Aurora. I so want Lincoln to have a great turn around and compete with Cadillac and take on the world. The other issue is that quarter window in the c-pillar. Too many cars have that same window in the c-pillar theme. I never liked it, and it is over played. These cars listed below have that same theme in one variation or another. I wrote this elsewhere the other day:

    Too many of these new cars have that six window design I cannot stand. Cadillac XTS has it as you know, now Ford Fusion/Mondeo, Lincoln MKZ( 2013), Nissan Altima( 2013), Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Azera, Volkswagen Passat, Buick Verano, Dodge Dart and all the Audi sedans and Chevrolet Impala have that design too. Too many of these cars are starting to look like each other and the globalization is all about saving money and appealing to the masses. What happened to style, character, distinction, and identity, looking American and history and heritage?

    1982 Oldsmobile 88:

    1995 Oldsmobile Aurora:

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    ocnblu

    I prefer the vertical bars to the delicate, milquetoast horizontal situation they switched to. With less overall vertical height, I think the vertical motif could have stuck around. That concept is sexy, and maybe one day, One Ford will see fit to join the Falcon, Mustang and a Lincoln sport sedan on a new RWD platform.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×



  • Support Independent Automotive Journalism

    25 years of honest automotive coverage — because someone has to do it.

    Cheers & Gears has never been filtered by manufacturer relationships or driven by algorithm. Just real people, real opinions, and a genuine love of cars. Subscribers keep the lights on and get an ad-light experience starting at $2.25/month.*

    View subscription options

    *A small number of ads feature member-exclusive coupon deals and will still appear.

  • Posts

    • A Horse With No Name
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By A Horse With No Name · Posted

      Again, loving owning the Camry Hybrid, I plan on full EV next car.  The world's opinion will not go back, nor should it.  You do motorcycles, I do Bicycles. Riding around, even in deep red areas I am seeing a TON of EV's here in Ohio.  Its like Diesel vs Steam for railroads. At a certain point, even if you are Norfolk and Western and have tons of near free coal, or Pennsylvania with advanced steam locomotives, Diesel just makes infinite sense. Likewise, EV's. ICE is dead man walking. 
    • A Horse With No Name
      Lexus News: 2026 Lexus ES Launches with EV First, Hybrid to Follow

      By A Horse With No Name · Posted

      I am loving Hybrid, I can't wait to do full EV when I replace the truck.     
    • ccap41
      Lexus News: 2026 Lexus ES Launches with EV First, Hybrid to Follow

      By ccap41 · Posted

      I can't tell if I like how this looks or not. Part of me likes the exterior quite a bit but something stands out to me that I just don't love. I think maybe it's the greenhouse's height. It almost just looks too tall. Is this based off the Crown? 
    • G. David Felt
      Lexus News: 2026 Lexus ES Launches with EV First, Hybrid to Follow

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      2026 Lexus launches their first ever ES four-door sedan as a BEV, to be joined later in the year by a hybrid. The Lexus ES will come in two models, the 350e Front-Wheel-Drive and the 500e All-Wheel-Drive. Both models will be available in two trims, Premium and Luxury. The Lexus ES 350e FWD will start with a base MSRP of $47,500 and an EPA-estimated range of 307 miles. Let's dig into what the eighth-generation Lexus ES will offer by model and trim: Standard Equipment: All Models Latest Lexus Interface Debuts with 14-in. Touchscreen and 12.3-in. Multi-Information Display Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 (LSS+ 4.0) Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian detection Rear Pedestrian detection Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist Intersection Turn Assist DRCC or Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Eco-mode Lane Tracing Assist Lane Changing Assist Lane Departure Alert with Steering Road Sign Assist Intelligent High Beams Proactive Driving Assist Traffic Jam Assist Front Cross-traffic Alert FCTA 74.7 kWh lithium-ion battery Standard NACS charging port Lexus will include a CCS to NACS plug adapter allowing owners to access over 76,000 level 2 & 3 chargers nationwide with CCS charging cords. 11 kW AC charger controller Level 2 charger for charging to 80% in 7hrs Level 3 charger for charging to 80% in 28 minutes Dual Voltage Level 1 and 2 charging cable 2026 ES 350e and ES 500e include Plug & Charge capability with an active Remote Connect* trial or subscription which allows owners/lessees to initiate charging and payment at compatible public charging networks simply by plugging in after a one-time enrollment setup through the Lexus app. L-shaped LED running lights sit above Dual LED headlights and flank a pinched surface evocative of Lexus' spindle grille design and a prominent body shoulder line rises from behind the front wheels to meet the wraparound LED Blade taillamp with illuminated logo 2026 ES dimensions Exterior 3.1 inches longer wheelbase 2.2 inches wider width 6.5 inches longer length 4.5 inches in height Interior Front seat headroom .8 inches larger Rear seat headroom .4 inches larger Rear seat leg room 1.4 inches longer Front seat shoulder room 1.6 inches larger Front seat hip room 1.9 inches larger Front and rear seat hip ingress and egress is enhanced due to higher entry points 19-inch standard aluminum wheels Optional 21-inch wheels in various styles depending on model. OTA via 5G network Wireless device charger Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Smart Access keyless entry Active Drive Connect subscription Cloud Navigation Intelligent Assistant Remote Connect Safety Connect Service Connect Wi-Fi Connect The 2026 Lexus ES has emphasized a clean technology with elegance approach and as such they have gone with using capacitive touch buttons and bars to provide tactile feedback as they shift towards a streamline, tech driven luxury experience according to Lexus. ES 350e FWD Premium 221-hp permanent magnet synchronous electric motor powering the front wheel 10-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System Optional knee-level radiant heater for the driver and front-seat passenger ES 350e FWD Luxury 221-hp permanent magnet synchronous electric motor powering the front wheel Optional Executive package Upgrades the ES' rear outboard seats with power adjustments, heating and ventilation functions, a massage feature, and an ottoman on the passenger side Advanced Park with Remote Park Panoramic View Monitor 17-speaker 1,800-watt Mark Levinson® PurePlay Surround Sound System Auto Easy Close soft-close door latching and Digital Key 2.0 capability Knee-level radiant heater for the driver and front-seat passenger standard Dual Wireless Chargers Cold Area Package ES 500e AWD Premium 221-hp front motor, 118-hp permanent magnet synchronous electric motor to the rear axle for a combined net total output of 338 hp 0-60 mph 5.1 seconds 10-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System Optional knee-level radiant heater for the driver and front-seat passenger ES 500e AWD Luxury 221-hp front motor, 118-hp permanent magnet synchronous electric motor to the rear axle for a combined net total output of 338 hp 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds Optional Executive package Upgrades the ES' rear outboard seats with power adjustments, heating and ventilation functions, a massage feature, and an ottoman on the passenger side Advanced Park with Remote Park Panoramic View Monitor 17-speaker 1,800-watt Mark Levinson® PurePlay Surround Sound System Auto Easy Close soft-close door latching and Digital Key 2.0 capability Knee-level radiant heater for the driver and front-seat passenger standard Dual Wireless Chargers Cold Area Package ES 350h Hybrid: Details to Date Lexus' sixth-generation gas-electric hybrid system powering either the front wheels or, with available all-wheel drive (AWD), all four wheels. Hybrid battery beneath the rear seat Toyota has stated that more details closer to release later in the year but pricing was announced. Toyota has stated the following EPA-estimated total driving range per full charge: ES350e with 19-inch standard wheels 307 miles ES350e with 21-inch optional wheels 292 miles ES500e with 19-inch standard wheels 276 miles ES500e with 21-inch optional wheels 272 miles 2026 Lexus ES Pricing Model Code Model Name MSRP* 9030 ES 350e Premium $48,795 9035 ES 500e Premium AWD $51,795 9032 ES 350e Luxury $57,195 9037 ES 500e Luxury AWD $60,195 9020 ES 350h Premium $50,995 9025 ES 350h Premium AWD $52,395 9021 ES 350h Premium+ $55,795 9026 ES 350h Premium+ AWD $57,195 *Prices listed include $1,295 Delivery, Processing, and Handling fee (DPH) for ES, which is subject to change at any time. Dealer price will vary. Style is a personal issue as some will find this polarizing, others will love it. Lexus keeps a four-door sedan on the lot for those that want a car over an SUV. For a point of comparison at the top of the Lexus lineup, see our Review: 2019 Lexus LS 500 F-Sport. More Lexus ES Coverage All-New 2026 Lexus ES Gets Electrification On All Models Review: 2019 Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Avalon Hybrid View full article
    • Drew Dowdell
      Kia News: 2027 Kia Seltos: New Platform, Up to 190 HP, EV9-Inspired Styling

      By Drew Dowdell · Posted

      We're expecting the US version to debut tomorrow along with another Kia crossover. 

  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search