Lincoln prides itself on being a showier brand than others. This label is built on cars that have carried presidents, that stock the town car fleets of all the prestigious hotels, and that look downright fashionable on the street. The Beijing Auto Show is an event that calls for more than showy, though. Artful design isn’t enough to stand out midst the glitz and tumescence of the Chinese elite. No, in Beijing cars have to take a road not traveled by Frost and stay gold.
Photo: Autoblog
The new MKX Concept is not content with gilded accents or flaxen hubcaps. Its whole body is aureate, a shimmering gold and chrome crossover standing on its pedestal.
Photo: Autoblog
A modern Lincoln is often best defined by its front end, and the MKX Concept once again refines the split-wing grille. More slender, elegant headlights fit within the chrome gates, and a thick, articulated length of chrome spans the vehicle’s jawline. Lines on the hood draw the viewer’s eye down and to the center, where the Lincoln badge sits.
The sides avoid the rotund look of other crossovers thanks to a couple of crisp character lines, and another chrome accent bar bolsters the bottom edge of the doors. The side mirrors are slim and angular, extending off of the door itself rather than the flag of the a-pillar, which usually decreases turbulence along the window and reduces wind noise inside the cabin. As for the interior, you can see in the pictures that there are no door handles. The concept’s innards were not on display in Beijing, neither in the cabin nor under the hood, so details there will have to wait. Knowing this brand’s designers, they surely want to get it just right. If it isn’t a masterpiece, it isn’t a Lincoln.
Photo: Autoblog
Up top, the roof is more demure in trademark tuxedo black. There’s a distinct inner depression that we would want to see on a production model of this car, running from near the top of the windshield all the way to the rear hatch, at which point the golden panels from the c-pillars extend over the integrated spoiler.
Photo: Autoblog
Clearly a car as dressed up as the MKX Concept will feel at home in China, and Lincoln should feel confident with its plans for expansion in that market with this in their lineup. We can’t help but feel a bit selfish, though, for we would be honored to offer such a fine vehicle at Leith Lincoln. For more pictures and the press release, we recommend you visit Autoblog. Rest assured, we will keep you informed of its development and availability.