Behind every production vehicle is a series of concepts, including some that looked incredibly similar to what ultimately made it to market. The 2012 Lincoln MKZ concept spearheaded a new direction for the marque, and it’s still around today, preserved in the expansive U.S. Heritage Fleet.
The Lincoln MKZ concept was revealed in early 2012, and “strongly hinted” at the production model MKZ that would begin arriving at dealerships just months after its release. The concept vehicle featured warm hues both inside and out, highlighted by its Cognac-inspired exterior paint color. It was “clearly identifiable as a Lincoln,” sporting features like its split-wing grille, inspired by the 1938 Lincoln Zephyr.
Outside, the MKZ sported a low-slung, curving roofline, deviating from the traditional three-box sedan shape. This helped make it more aerodynamic while setting it apart from its brethren.
“The MKZ Concept’s shape is a vision of simplicity completed with just a few strokes,” said Max Wolff, Lincoln design director at the time. “Our movement as a brand is toward something we call elegant simplicity. It’s something warmer and more restrained, which is moving away from complex designs and traditional luxury.”
A panoramic glass roof topped the Lincoln MKZ concept, integrated into the vehicle’s superstructure. It lent an open-air feel to the interior, as close to a drop-top as it could get while still protecting its passengers from the elements. Its four seats were designed to cradle its passengers in luxury, and it featured a discreet pushbutton transmission gear selector. Its cabin was furnished with poplar wood, aluminum, and leather.
When the 2013 Lincoln MKZ debuted, it looked strikingly similar to the concept seen here. Now, it’s on display in the Heritage Fleet, parked alongside the likes of the luxurious and sporty 2003 Ford 427 concept that never made it past the “what if” stage, as well as the Ford Fairlane concept that heavily inspired the production Ford Flex.
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