Box Autos

Some luxury car buyers seek elegance. Others desire superb comfort. And others crave performance. Now, drivers in the small premium utility segment can have it all in one vehicle.

The Lincoln Motor Company revealed this morning the elegantly sporty 2015 Lincoln MKC.

Entering as the rapidly growing small premium utility segment, the Lincoln design team faced the dual challenge of meeting the ever-changing demands of younger luxury vehicle consumers while further defining the Lincoln design DNA. The result is a vehicle that stands out, both in how it looks and how it performs. From any angle, it is unmistakably a Lincoln.

From its signature split-wing grille flanked by High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps to its hands-free, wraparound liftgate featuring full-width LED tail lamps, MKC’s design is a convergence of elegance, sportiness and customer-focused technology.

Continuing a design ethic that was first introduced on the all-new Lincoln MKZ midsize sedan, the sleek, sculpted body of the MKC stands apart from other small premium utility vehicles. Its high beltline and low shoulders create a sturdy, athletic presence, while attributes such as pedestal side mirrors add a dash of elegance. Features such as soft exterior lighting and an available Panoramic Vista glass roof add to MKC’s luxurious, sophisticated personality.

“We’re confident we’ve created an all-new vehicle that will attract new customers to the brand while meeting the expectations of long-time Lincoln drivers,” said Max Wolff, director, Lincoln Design. “The execution of the new liftgate is a prime example of how a signature premium design element can create a better customer experience.”

The MKC Concept, shown at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, introduced a uniquely crafted wraparound liftgate, a design feature that carried over to the production model after an enormous collaborative effort from the Lincoln design and engineering teams. Its side-cut design gives MKC an uninterrupted rearview to epitomize elegance, while its hands-free feature is another example of Lincoln’s commitment to build customer-friendly vehicles.

Those aspirations also carry through to the interior, where the merging of craftsmanship and technology combine to offer a warm, luxurious environment. Featuring an architecturally unique instrument panel that showcases Lincoln’s signature push-button gear shifter, MKC creates an open, welcoming interior. Inviting leathers and available Bridge of Weir leather and real-wood trim accentuate MKC’s elegance and grace.

“We gave attention to every detail to convey a stylish, luxurious vehicle,” said Soo Kang, Lincoln interior design chief. “The structure of the interior allows for openness, and that space contributes to the overall ambience. We want this vehicle to not only meet but often exceed the expectations of the new Lincoln customer.”

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 Lincoln nameplate was built around high-quality, luxury vehicles that were instantly recognizable, and MKC continues that legacy,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president of Ford Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln. “Today’s luxury customer is looking for something different, something unique. MKC is further proof that Lincoln is intent on providing that unique driving experience.”

Production of the Lincoln MKC is slated to begin in the second quarter of 2014 at the Louisville Assembly Plant in Louisville, Ky. Vehicles are due in showrooms next summer.