Lincoln is in the midst of a styling renaissance, of which the Ford Edge–based Lincoln MKX was one of the forefathers. Now that Lincoln’s corporate style is galvanizing around the split-waterfall grille, our spy photographers have captured evidence that the company will wrap the MKX’s nose with the now-familiar look for 2010.
While the family schnoz is the most immediately recognizable element of the redesigned MKX, perhaps the more important updates will take place inside, where the Lincoln’s somewhat stodgy interior gets a needed injection of pizzazz. As Ford and Lincoln try to spin themselves as technology leaders (witness the equipment list available on the new MKS and MKT), both the style and substance of their technologically advanced offerings become increasingly important.
To that end, the MKX gets a new stitched-leather dash that cascades around a wildly edgy new center-console design. The touch-screen nav system is nestled in a sculpted console that appears to sport tactile sensors—rather than traditional buttons—for the HVAC and audio controls. The smoothing of interior shapes also will reach to the new steering wheel, which loses a spoke and the previous blocky styling for a more upscale shape reminiscent of an Acura wheel, but without the button overload.
While nothing is confirmed yet, the new EcoBoost twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 is proliferating through Lincoln’s lineup and could endow this crossover with a serious performance edge. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the 355-hp mill powering the MKX somewhere down the line.
Regardless of powerplant, the interior of the upcoming MKX looks like it will take on a more space-age look in line with Lincoln’s new, high-tech image. Although the jury is still out on the brand’s new corporate grille, the inside of the 2010 MKX is shaping up to be a pleasant place to pass the miles.
While the family schnoz is the most immediately recognizable element of the redesigned MKX, perhaps the more important updates will take place inside, where the Lincoln’s somewhat stodgy interior gets a needed injection of pizzazz. As Ford and Lincoln try to spin themselves as technology leaders (witness the equipment list available on the new MKS and MKT), both the style and substance of their technologically advanced offerings become increasingly important.
To that end, the MKX gets a new stitched-leather dash that cascades around a wildly edgy new center-console design. The touch-screen nav system is nestled in a sculpted console that appears to sport tactile sensors—rather than traditional buttons—for the HVAC and audio controls. The smoothing of interior shapes also will reach to the new steering wheel, which loses a spoke and the previous blocky styling for a more upscale shape reminiscent of an Acura wheel, but without the button overload.
While nothing is confirmed yet, the new EcoBoost twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 is proliferating through Lincoln’s lineup and could endow this crossover with a serious performance edge. We wouldn’t be surprised to see the 355-hp mill powering the MKX somewhere down the line.
Regardless of powerplant, the interior of the upcoming MKX looks like it will take on a more space-age look in line with Lincoln’s new, high-tech image. Although the jury is still out on the brand’s new corporate grille, the inside of the 2010 MKX is shaping up to be a pleasant place to pass the miles.
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