Lincoln, First Look: Lincoln C Concept Car Mini Cooper-owner style - Automotive News

Lincoln C Concept Car Mini Cooper-proprietor style

BMW has proven that rear-wheel-power c-segment length luxury works, with its 1 Series, Lincoln is popping next to the 2011 Ford Focus' platform for submit-international warming luxurious. To prepare us for a CAFE-friendly world, Lincoln rolled out the C concept (for c-section, and to date, with out an "MK" prefix) at Detroit. Looking similar to a Renault with Lincoln's "flying wing" 'forty one Continental unfashionable cue grille, the C is about the duration of the 'eleven Focus, but about 2.75-inches wider for three-abreast seating thru flat benches. Ford designers cite the '39 Lincoln, 'fifty six Continental II and '61 Continental as inspiration. But the a-pillar is curved just like a Renault Espace's, and the c-pillar leads to a Clio-esque bustle trunk. While there's no tumblehome, a deep shoulderline accents the profile.

Lincoln C Concept Car Mini Cooper-proprietor style

The stainless steel-like top is actually aluminum with a metalized paint, and the gray interior wood trim is recycled driftwood veneer. The Lincoln C has more interior space than a '61 Continental, J Mays and Freeman Thomas proudly note. The engine, theoretically - Lincoln didn't open the hood -- is a planned 1.6-liter EcoBoost four with central direct injection, variable valve timing on both cams and an interesting stop/start system to shut down the engine for red lights and stop signs.

Lincoln C Concept Car Mini Cooper-proprietor style

Restarts use a fraction of the starter energy required for a cold start by injecting and igniting fuel in the cylinder closest to top-dead-center on the compression stroke. The six-speed, twin-clutch "Powershift" transmission uses more efficient dry clutches (Audi DSG's wet clutches require an oil pump). It gains 9-percent better fuel economy than a conventional automatic transmission, Ford says. Including some key weight savings, Ford expects the EcoBoost-powered C would get about 25-percent better fuel economy than a similar car with a 2.0-liter.

Lincoln C Concept Car Mini Cooper-proprietor style

Other interior features include no b-pillar (which Mays insists is approaching production viability, even if the "suicide door" feature that accompanies it is only for show), a hubless steering wheel rendered in Apple-computer white plastic, thin-seat technology for better interior room (another near-production feature), hand-drawn floral patterns laser-etched into the otherwise stark white leather seats, weight- and height-sensing power head restraints, and stereo speakers in the headliner, which surrounds a Lincoln-symbol glass sunroof.

Lincoln C Concept Car Mini Cooper-proprietor style

North America design chief Peter Horbury says his favorite feature, though, is a device in the car's grille that recognizes other Lincoln Cs and automatically "winks" the left headlight, Mini Cooper-owner style.

Lincoln C Concept Car Mini Cooper-proprietor style

Question is, can Lincoln build a c-segment car with so much appeal that owners "wink" or wave at others voluntarily? We may have to ask that question again when Lincoln markets a c-segment car, in as little as two or three years.