2015 MKC Designed to Make Lincoln Relevant Again

Lincoln is looking to travel from obscurity to relevance with a single product: the MKC.

Sitting on the sidelines of the luxury segment, Ford’s premium brand has revealed its first offering in the ultra hot small premium utility segment, promising power, efficiency, technology, luxury and style.

Somewhat controversial, Lincoln’s new design language that was introduced on the MKZ has been “refined” for this model and features the brand’s unique “split-wing” grille up front while out back there’s an original wrap-around tailgate.

SEE ALSO: Lincoln Ad Campaign Directly Targets Lexus

To help differentiate this product from any Ford model (cough, Escape, cough) and well as from its stablemates, there’s an entirely new design for the instrument panel, though it does share the brand’s trademark push-button gear shifter. Interior materials are promised to be of the best with real wood, French stitching and even available Bridge of Weir leather. As evidence of the attention to detail in the car and, again, to further differentiate it from other products, the MKC gets an all-new steering wheel.

Another sign of Lincoln’s push into modernity, two engines will be offered, both of which will use turbochargers. The standard power plant is a 2.0-liter EcoBoost 4-cylinder making 240 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. Optional will be the first use of a new 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine in the Ford lineup, making 275 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. This same engine is expected to power the 2015 Mustang.

Designed to deliver a drive to meet each driver’s needs, the MKC will come standard as a front-wheel drive model with 18-inch wheels, while all-wheel drive can be had with 19-inch wheels and Continuously Controlled Damping. Plus, the Lincoln Drive Control system will allow a driver to select from sport, comfort and normal drive modes.

Designed to go on sale next summer, the MKC will immediately enter Lincoln into the fastest growing part of the luxury segment with luxury compact crossover sales growing 25 percent since last year and more than 200 percent since 2009.