In penning the 2015 MKC, Lincoln’s design team was faced with the dual challenge of creating a standout vehicle in a competitive segment while further refining the brand’s design DNA that started with the 2013 MKZ. Overall, the brand’s first-ever compact crossover entry has been received remarkably well by the automotive media at large, with some even going so far as to say that this it the first “modern Lincoln that actually appeals to them”. What makes the MKC’s design so special? For starters, the 2015 MKC sports a sleek and sculpted body, while a high beltline and low shoulders create a sturdy and athletic presence.
Up front, the MKC features the signature split-wing grille that flows elegantly into the two headlights, which feature a wave-shaped accentuating light and a projector beam main light. An LED light strip below serves as the day time running lights. The hood features tasteful surface styling and windshield washer nozzles are neatly tucked away under it. Below the grille and headlamps lies a secondary grille; it’s finished in black, contains two horizontal stripes, and is in the general shape of what we have come to know here at Motrolix as “the smiling mustache”. Notably, the front fender flares feature a bulge of sorts, adding to the MKC’s sculpted appearance. Additionally, the bottom of the MKC’s front end is finished in a black plastic cladding, while an aluminum-look skid plate adorns the rest of the front end.
The side profile reveals front and rear quarter windows, with the front units being placed center of pedestal-style side-view mirrors with an LED-based turn signal indicators on the outside. The aluminum roof rails are sleekly built right into the roof. The rear units curl back into the rest of the greenhouse using a unique “reverse-C kink” treatment.
The side profile also reveals that the doors feature several surface styling elements. These are most evident in the shoulder line as well as the “bulging” area approaching the black plastic cladding. Importantly, the MKC’s doors extend all the way down to the bottom of the body, adding a measure of convenience for those who drive in wet and dirty environments and risk getting their pants, dress, or leg dirty when opening a door and stepping in or out of a vehicle that has just driven through those unfavorable conditions. The “bulge” first seen in the front fenders is also present, albeit in a slightly different form, in the rear fenders. A sloping roofline rounds out the profile of Lincoln’s new luxury compact utility, while the available panaromaic all-glass Vista Roof gives the MKC a luxurious and sophisticated personality.
In the rear, the hands-free wraparound liftgate features an interpretation of Lincoln’s rear tail lamp treatment, with an uninterrupted light strip running the width of the vehicle. The think LED-based light strip is flanked by C-shaped tail lamps, which are also LED-based. Depending on the engine configuration, dual or single exhaust pipes make themselves present from what is made to look like an aluminum skid plate. A roof-top spoiler continues the sloping roofline, while a centrally-mounted body-color antenna manifests itself immediately before the spoiler. The rear is rounded out by red reflector lights enveloping the MKC’s reverse lights.
“Our design team worked tirelessly to create a vehicle that attracts new customers to the brand while meeting the expectations of longtime Lincoln drivers,” said Max Wolff, director, Lincoln Design. “The execution of the new liftgate is a prime example of how a premium design element can create a better customer experience.”
The Motrolix Take
It would seem that Mr. Wolff’s team has succeeded in its mission. Congrats on a job well done, ladies and gents! The MKC will need it, as it is entering a very hotly-contested segment.
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