Lincoln MKT
Encyclopedia
The Lincoln MKT is a full-size luxury
crossover utility vehicle, first unveiled as a concept vehicle at the 2008 North American International Auto Show
. It entered production at the Oakville Assembly
plant in July 2009 as a 2010 model. It shares the same crossover D4 platform
as the Ford Flex
and Explorer
, with seating for up to seven people in three rows. It has an entirely different body with design cues from the Lincoln MKR
concept car, and the Lincoln MKS
.
The MKT is positioned as a more fuel-efficient alternative and eventual replacement of the similar-sized but truck-based Lincoln Navigator
.
The concept MKT vehicle was announced with a 415 hp 3.5 L V6 version of Ford's new EcoBoost engine family - a turbocharged
gasoline direct injection
system, which features the horsepower capability of a larger displacement engine, with the fuel economy of a smaller engine. The production version is to be launched with a normally aspirated 268 hp 3.7 L Duratec 37 V6 as used in the MKS sedan, and a twin turbocharged
3.5 L EcoBoost engine rated at 355 hp (also from the MKS). Both engines are mated to a 6-speed 6F
automatic transmission
.
The MKT features electric power steering, replacing the traditional hydraulic power steering. The electric steering system is combined with ultrasonic sensor
s to form a hands-off "Active Park Assist" system that steers the vehicle into parallel parking
slots.
The fuel economy of the MKT is enhanced by many advanced weight saving developments. The liftgate of the MKT is manufactured from an inner panel of cast magnesium
and an outer panel of stamped aluminum. The MKT also utilizes magnesium in the radiator support and rear seat back and cushion frame.
According to Lincoln, the "T" in MKT, stands for Touring. The MKT is the second Lincoln crossover in the lineup, slotted above the midsize MKX
crossover. In October 2010, Ford announced the development of livery and limousine variants of the MKT as potential replacements for the Lincoln Town Car
, and in mid-February it was displayed to the Livery/Limousine trade with the name MKT Town Car.
Luxury vehicles
Luxury vehicle is a marketing term for a vehicle that provides luxury — pleasant or desirable features beyond strict necessity—at increased expense ....
crossover utility vehicle, first unveiled as a concept vehicle at the 2008 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
. It entered production at the Oakville Assembly
Oakville Assembly
Oakville Assembly Complex is a Ford Motor Company automobile factory in Oakville, Ontario, Canada spanning . This landmark occupies the same site as, and combines, the former Ontario Truck plant and Oakville Assembly Plant and is clearly visible from the Queen Elizabeth Way and the Lakeshore West...
plant in July 2009 as a 2010 model. It shares the same crossover D4 platform
Ford D3 platform
The Ford D3 platform is a Ford global full-size car automobile platform. It was designed by Volvo before the Ford purchase and debuted with the Volvo S80 sedan in early 1999. The platform is designed for either front- or all wheel drive with an extended wheelbase option.-Overview:Ford's D3...
as the Ford Flex
Ford Flex
The Ford Flex is a full-size crossover manufactured by Ford Motor Company. Its styling is based on the Ford Fairlane concept unveiled at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. The production vehicle made its debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show. Sales of the Flex began in...
and Explorer
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a sport-utility vehicle sold in North America and built by the Ford Motor Company since 1990, as a replacement for the smaller but related Ford Bronco II. It is manufactured in Chicago, Illinois...
, with seating for up to seven people in three rows. It has an entirely different body with design cues from the Lincoln MKR
Lincoln MKR
The Lincoln MKR concept car was a premium four-door coupe design, as introduced during the 2007 North American International Auto Show. It's chassis was based on the Ford D2C platform as used in the Ford Mustang. The MKR signaled the next-generation of premium Lincoln vehicles, introducing the...
concept car, and the Lincoln MKS
Lincoln MKS
The Lincoln MKS is a full-size luxury sedan from the Lincoln division of the Ford Motor Company. The MKS first appeared in concept form at the North American International Auto Show in January 2006 with the production version, a 2009 model, appearing later at the Los Angeles International Auto...
.
The MKT is positioned as a more fuel-efficient alternative and eventual replacement of the similar-sized but truck-based Lincoln Navigator
Lincoln Navigator
The Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV built by the Ford Motor Company for its luxury division, Lincoln. Introduced as a 1998 model, production began May 14, 1997 with sales beginning in August. The Navigator was Lincoln's first SUV as well as its first four-wheel drive capable vehicle...
.
Features
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
gasoline direct injection
Gasoline direct injection
In internal combustion engines, gasoline direct injection , also known as petrol direct injection or direct petrol injection, is a variant of fuel injection employed in modern two-stroke and four-stroke gasoline engines...
system, which features the horsepower capability of a larger displacement engine, with the fuel economy of a smaller engine. The production version is to be launched with a normally aspirated 268 hp 3.7 L Duratec 37 V6 as used in the MKS sedan, and a twin turbocharged
Twin-turbo
Twin-turbo refers to a turbocharged engine, in which two turbochargers compress the intake charge. There are two commonly used twin turbo configurations: parallel twin-turbo and sequential twin-turbo...
3.5 L EcoBoost engine rated at 355 hp (also from the MKS). Both engines are mated to a 6-speed 6F
GM-Ford 6-speed automatic transmission
General Motors and Ford Motor Company cooperated in 2002 to create a new automatic transaxle, designed for transverse engine applications in cars and light trucks...
automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
.
The MKT features electric power steering, replacing the traditional hydraulic power steering. The electric steering system is combined with ultrasonic sensor
Ultrasonic sensor
Ultrasonic sensors work on a principle similar to radar or sonar which evaluate attributes of a target by interpreting the echoes from radio or sound waves respectively. Ultrasonic sensors generate high frequency sound waves and evaluate the echo which is received back by the sensor...
s to form a hands-off "Active Park Assist" system that steers the vehicle into parallel parking
Parallel parking
thumb|250px|right|Parallel-parked cars in [[Washington, D.C.]]thumb|250px|right|A motorist gets assistance parallel-parkingParallel parking is a method of parking a vehicle in line with other parked cars. Cars parked in parallel are in one line, parallel to the curb, with the front bumper of each...
slots.
The fuel economy of the MKT is enhanced by many advanced weight saving developments. The liftgate of the MKT is manufactured from an inner panel of cast magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole...
and an outer panel of stamped aluminum. The MKT also utilizes magnesium in the radiator support and rear seat back and cushion frame.
According to Lincoln, the "T" in MKT, stands for Touring. The MKT is the second Lincoln crossover in the lineup, slotted above the midsize MKX
Lincoln MKX
The Lincoln MKX is a mid-size luxury crossover from Ford's Lincoln division and a de facto successor to the Lincoln Aviator luxury SUV. It debuted as a 2007 model in December 2006 as a production version of the Lincoln Aviator Concept shown at the 2004 North American International Auto Show...
crossover. In October 2010, Ford announced the development of livery and limousine variants of the MKT as potential replacements for the Lincoln Town Car
Lincoln Town Car
The Lincoln Town Car is a full-size luxury sedan that was sold by the upscale Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company; it was produced from 1981 to the 2011 model years...
, and in mid-February it was displayed to the Livery/Limousine trade with the name MKT Town Car.
Sales
| Calendar Year | American sales |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 2,580 |
| 2010 | 7,435 |