Ford's Kate Pearce
Ford's Kate Pearce
Consumer Guide spent a few minutes at the Chicago Auto Show talking with Kate Pearce, Lincoln MKT marketing manager. MKT is a dramatically styled six- or seven-passenger crossover SUV from Lincoln. Expect to see it on sale in late summer of 2010.
Consumer Guide:
How is Lincoln’s market positioning changing and what is MKT’s role in that change?
Kate Pearce:
Lincoln is reshaping its product line. If you compare the Lincoln showroom of 2005 and today you see a tremendous change. The MKZ, MKX, and MKS were introduced within the last few years. The MKT will further solidify Lincoln’s position. Lincoln is committed to new design and technology. For example, an MKT styling study was the same from the windshield back as its platform partner, Ford Flex. Only the grille, hood, and front fenders were unique to Lincoln. That concept was rejected in favor of completely different styling and body panels for the Lincoln. The Lincoln even has a more steeply raked windshield than Flex--an expensive structural body change. Ford Motor Company realizes that Lincoln must have its own unique and distinctive styling to compete. Job one for the company is the revitalization of the Ford line. Job two is a strong Lincoln. Money will be spent to make Lincoln models special.
Lincoln is also pushing ahead with cutting-edge technology such as adaptive cruise control, automatic parallel parking, music hard drive, blind-spot- and cross-traffic-alerts, and keyless starting.
CG:
What MKT design features, such as the grille, can we expect to see on future Lincolns?
KP:
The grille will be the new face of Lincoln. Also expect to see the bodyside chamfer that runs along the shoulder and then haunches over the rear wheel arches. The horizontal band taillight might also be a theme on future models.
Interiors will be the hallmark of future Lincolns. With MKT, Lincoln has reached the standard it wants for future cars. The design is integrated. On six-passenger models the center console flows uninterrupted from the dash through the 2nd-row bucket seats. The interior features quality materials and soft-touch surfaces. The doors are distinctive in that the panel appears to float on the door.
CG:
Will the MKT replace or supplement the Lincoln Navigator?
KP:
MKT will supplement the Navigator. Many customers like the feel and extra utility of the Navigator. Although the MKT has ample towing capacity for most buyers, the Navigator is for those who need to tow up to 9,000 pounds.
2010 Lincoln MKT
What are the chief mechanical differences between MKT and its platform partner Ford Flex?
KP:
The Flex has a 262-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine, while the base MKT uses a 270-horsepower 3.7 liter V6. The Flex is quiet, but the Lincoln has extra sound insulation for a quiet-tuned ride. Suspensions are similar, but the Lincoln has different tuning for a softer, more-refined ride. The MKT also has different tires.
CG:
What fuel-saving technology is featured on the turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine?
KP:
The EcoBoost has V8 performance with 355 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, yet it delivers V6 fuel economy with 22 mpg on the highway. In fact, the MKT base 3.7-liter engine and the optional 3.5-liter EcoBoost have similar fuel economy, but the EcoBoost has better performance. EcoBoost is one of the few engines that combine turbocharging and direct injection. Turbocharging gets more power from smaller engines. Direct injection squirts precisely-measured fuel directly into the combustion chambers for better mileage and greater power. To improve fuel economy without sacrificing performance, Ford expects 90 percent of its engines to use the EcoBoost system by 2013.
CG:
Compare MKT’s optional Active Park Assist to the Lexus self parallel park feature.
KP:
With Lincoln’s Active Park Assist, you control the brakes and gas, therefore, you decide the speed at which you park. The Lexus system parks at a set speed that might be slower than some drivers desire. Active Park can park on either the car’s right or left side, while the Lexus only functions on the right side. Park Assist is controlled by radar rather than cameras that can be affected by dirt on the lens.
CG:
What do you see as MKT’s chief competitors?
KP:
Acura MDX and Audi Q7 have the largest share of MKT’s target market. The Cadillac SRX will offer a smaller, two-row vehicle for 2010 and will not be a direct competitor. With the MKT, Lincoln hopes to play a niche role appealing to buyers looking for something different.
2009 Ford Flex
03.02.2009
