Image via Complex Original
This past October, we got a chance to visit Lincoln's design studio in Dearborn, Michigan, where Ford's luxury label has been quietly plotting an automotive revolution. Today, the brand will present the 2013 Lincoln MKZ in New York City, the first in the company's roll-out of four all-new vehicles. Lincoln's brand reinvention focuses on design, and after you see our 5 Reasons the Lincoln MKZ is One of the Best Cars of 2013, you'll realize that they're succeeding in transforming the 90-year-old brand. Click through to see the major updates of the 2013 model.
The Interior
The Space
The 2013 Lincoln MKZ has a lot of added design features that actually increase the amount of space within the car. For instance, the shifter is replaced by a console, the seats were made thinner (but not at the expense of comfort), and they opened up the back of the car, exhibiting real design efficiency and attention to detail.
The Leather
The luxurious, premium, supple leather of the MKZ is apparent on first glance (and especially at first touch). It comes in unique colors that you can choose to match both traditional and modern tastes.
The Wood
Pair the leather with the wood, and you have a stunning combination. Although not everyone pays attention to this part of their purchase, even with a luxury vehicle like the MKZ, it's important to note that Lincoln is hands-on with their wood suppliers to make sure all parts of the interior are of the highest quality.
There's a Hybrid Option
There's a Hybrid Option
The Lincoln MKZ was built prioritizing sustainability and the environment, which is also reflected in the hybrid option of the car. As Lincoln's head of interiors Soo Kang noted, the idea is to "embrace the environment," and in doing so, make the consumer aware of the company's continuing efforts to promote sustainability.
The Panoramic Glass Roof
The Panoramic Glass Roof
The panoramic glass roof is probably the biggest design highlight of the 2013 MKZ, and it's one of the largest retractable sun roofs on the market. It opens and closes simply and quietly.
It's Extremely Versatile
It's Extremely Versatile
The Lincoln MKZ is clearly a luxury vehicle, but it's just as easily a ride that you can impress a girl in, listen to music in, or just take a joy ride in. Both inside and out, it has a simple sophistication that everyone can appreciate, and for a car in the $50K-$70K price range, you're getting more than what you paid for.
It Promises Excellent Design
It Promises Excellent Design
Lincoln repeats their design philosophy that "less is more," which applies to everything from the carefully crafted steering wheel of the MKZ to its leather options. As part of their refreshed commitment to design (or in the words of Ford's Group Vice President Raj Nair, "design as the promise"), they've created a model that builds on the best parts of their vehicles from the last 90 years by making them better and more innovative than ever before.
