Lincoln gives the 2011 MKX a new look, starting with the revised, split-wing waterfall grille.
In its continuing quest to rebuild the brand, Lincoln rolled out a heavily updated version of its MKX crossover, setting in motion the second day of the North American International Auto Show.
The visual changes to the 2011 Lincoln MKX give the CUV a more familial look, starting with a split-winged version of the maker’s large, waterfall grille – something that has become the primary gene in what designers like to call brand DNA. One of five new products debuting over a two-year period – “the most aggressive product rollout in the companies history,” noted Ford – there’s now a strong and unmistakable resemblance between the MKX and the larger, more luxurious MKT.
“In the early days, people knew what Lincoln stood for,” proclaimed Bill Ford, chairman of Lincoln’s parent Ford Motor Co.
Ford is struggling to rebuild a distinctive identity for its Lincoln brand, and the MKX is one of five new launches for the brand.
While the exterior changes are, on the whole, relatively modest, there are significant revisions to the 2011 Lincoln MKX’s interior. The overall feel is more upscale than before, with leather-trimmed seats and a choice of two different wood trims, Olive Ash or Walnut Swirl. There’s better use of chrome – brightwork, in auto speak – but the most significant updates involving the MKX’s extensive electronic hardware.
Gone are the traditional knobs and buttons; they’ve been replaced with “haptic,” or touch-sensitive sliders. The 2011 Lincoln MKX gets Ford’s all-new Lincoln MyTouch system, which offers an extensive range of infotainment services, including satellite radio, HD Radio, navigation and the ability to connect to an iPhone or other MP3 device.
One of the most distinctive features of the 2011 Lincoln MKX is the use of touch-sensitive, rather than traditional, slider switches.
The next-generation version of Ford’s Sync will also access a variety of smartphone apps, including Pandora Radio and Twitter. The former allows a user to create a custom “radio station” by simply entering an artist or musical genre.
On the safety front, the 2011 Lincoln MKX will get Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning, as well as a system that alerts the driver to oncoming traffic when backing out of a driveway or parking spot.
The new MKX is powered by a 3.7-liter Duratec V6 with Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing, or Ti-VCT, which helps deliver not only a 15% bump in horsepower – to 305 – but 25 mpg fuel economy.
The 2011 Lincoln MKX is schedule to reach U.S. showrooms by late Summer.
There’s been some question about whether Ford might begin looking for overseas opportunities for the Lincoln brand, especially as it is ready to sell off its last foreign-based subsidiary, Volvo. But there are “no plans to take it global,” according to Mark Fields, Ford’s President of the Americas. But he adds that the subject is “very important,” and could be revisited at a later date.