Fine Lines: Lincoln designs

JIL MCINTOSH FOR THE TORONTO STAR

The design of the new Lincoln MKS flows from its bow-wave grille, directing the eye to its clean profile.

John LeBlanc

SPECIAL TO THE STAR

With most new vehicles on a level playing field when it comes to features, reliability, safety and performance, exterior styling becomes vital in differentiating cars and brands in a crowded and competitive market.

One premium brand trying to separate from the herd is Ford's Lincoln.

Left behind decades ago by luxury car customers migrating to import brands, Lincoln was once an icon of sophisticated American luxury.

But according to Ford design director Patrick Schiavone, the brand's new MKS sedan and MKT large crossover are just the beginning of a new styling direction for Lincoln that he hopes will bridge the past and address the future.

WHEELS: As recently as the 2002 Continental and 2004 MK9, Lincoln's styling concepts hearkened back to the iconic President Kennedy Continentals.

At the core, how does Lincoln's new design direction deviate from that tradition?

SCHIAVONE: Starting with the new MKS, we set out to do something completely new.

We recognized that a lot of things with the brand had to be changed, to reinvent what Lincoln was all about.

But at the same time, we had to keep that classic look and feel of a Lincoln. With the MKS, we absolutely wanted a completely modern vehicle.

WHEELS: How is this different from other luxury brands?

SCHIAVONE: I think what we are trying to achieve is a sophisticated look, what designers believe is basic good design.

Some competitors are in a wild and wacky place – design-wise – to separate themselves from looking like mainstream cars.

We believe in being a bit more restrained in some of the exterior surface development.

WHEELS: Describe some of the specific new design elements that make up this new look for Lincoln.

SCHIAVONE: A great starting point is the new bow-wave grille (introduced on the MKS), a modern take on Edsel Ford's custom Lincoln from 1939. The design of the MKS flows from there, and then directs the eye around to the car's silhouette and a clean side profile.

The newer MKT is really where we want the new look to be. Anyone can tell it's a modern-looking luxury cruiser. It's sophisticated as in the best Lincolns.

There's the lean body side from the '61 Continental but with more of a gentle haunch from the MKII to make it visually stand out. Then, in the rear, and unlike the older MKS, we have a full-width tail lamp – something we continued with our C Concept.

WHEELS: Okay, let's talk about the C that debuted at this year's Detroit Auto Show. This has to be one of the smallest Lincolns I've ever seen.

SCHIAVONE: We loved the whole idea about such a modern take on the Lincoln look – but on a small car. The concept's low shoulder, high beltline, centre-opening doors and cantilevered roof extending from a strong C-pillar are classic Lincoln traits straight from the 1960s.

In the end, we wanted to prove to ourselves that we could make an incredibly modern and futuristic Lincoln and keep it in a rationally sized vehicle.

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