USA - Lincoln debuts a new MKX Concept at Los Angeles.

• The Lincoln MKX Concept, unveiled at Auto China 2014 and making its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, previews an elegant update to Lincoln’s midsize premium utility vehicle
• Well-balanced proportions highlighted by wide shoulders, a sloping roofline and 21-inch wheels create a gracefully athletic presence
• Full LED headlamps with strips of dynamic LED signature lighting – which light sequentially as part of Lincoln’s updated approach detection – float within a reimagined Lincoln split-wing grille
• Projections call for continued growth of the premium midsize utility segment worldwide through 2018

The Lincoln Motor Company today unveiled the MKX Concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show, its first appearance in North America since its reveal at Auto China 2014 in Beijing this April. 

The Lincoln MKX Concept hints at a global SUV that will become the third of four all-new Lincoln vehicles due by 2016. It is designed to capture the attention of consumers worldwide.

Drawing design inspiration from airplanes and motorbikes, the Lincoln MKX Concept evokes feelings of power and agility, offering a glimpse of the American luxury brand’s future as it enters the rapidly growing Chinese market.

Several customer research clinics were held in China and the United States to gather feedback on the design to ensure the final execution would satisfy and delight luxury customers around the world.

“Great emphasis was put on the proportions of this concept vehicle,” said Andrea Di Buduo, exterior design manager of the Lincoln MKX Concept. “It’s a very emotional, athletic design. Its horizontal lines and defined undercuts are gracefully integrated and very sophisticated, yet convey a powerful and dynamic presence.”

Intensive study of the Chinese luxury customer over the past few years revealed that a medium premium utility vehicle should express off-road capability and sportiness.

Based on that, the Lincoln MKX Concept includes elements such as a separated front skid plate, heightened ground clearance and reinforced wheel arches. The floating aluminum body-side rocker molding is engraved with the Lincoln logo.

This execution communicates adaptability to different road conditions, combined with crafted execution and attention to detail.

Defined by an aerodynamic, sloping teardrop roofline, the Lincoln MKX Concept’s modern silhouette lends to its sporty personality, which is highlighted by wide shoulders flanking its recessed rear windows to heighten the design. Dynamic side undercuts, a high beltline and 21-inch machined aluminum wheels further enhance the well-proportioned design.

The roof over the rear was lowered to give the vehicle a sleeker shape. Highlighted by a panoramic glass surface that lets natural light fill the cabin and integrated roof racks, the floating rear spoiler houses the center high-mounted stop light and hides the antenna.

The Lincoln MKX Concept offers a new interpretation of Lincoln’s signature full-width taillamps.

“Concept vehicles are defined by every design detail,” said David Woodhouse, Lincoln design director, “and this MKX Concept shows how Lincoln’s thoughtful design philosophy continues to evolve. The Lincoln brand was built on vehicles with stunning design, and the MKX Concept is the latest example.”

Lincoln’s aggressive signature split-wing grille accentuates the front end. The artistic interpretation of the grille features horizontal lines that continue as strips of LED accent lights below each headlamp. These strips of light glow sequentially as part of Lincoln’s updated approach detection feature – one element of the Lincoln Experiences package.

Lincoln Experiences, a technology-driven suite of features introduced on the all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC small utility vehicle, is designed to create a warmer, more personal luxury car-owning experience. Anticipating and responding to a driver’s needs and preferences, Lincoln Experiences offers a warm embrace that begins as a driver approaches the vehicle and continues upon entry and vehicle start-up.

“With the Lincoln MKX Concept, we’re delighted to share a glimpse of the continually evolving future of Lincoln,” said Kumar Galhotra, president of Lincoln. “The transformation of The Lincoln Motor Company is under way, with sales up 15 percent in the United States year over year, due largely to the first all-new products we introduced: The MKZ sedan and MKC utility.

“The MKX Concept demonstrates the design direction for the third all-new vehicle from Lincoln, one that will capture the true essence of the brand – warm and inviting, beautifully styled, and with the promise of engaging technologies that appeal to a younger luxury consumer in a global market.”

A Lincoln MKX production model would compete in the growing, global midsize premium utility segment, a segment that represents 36 percent of the global luxury utility market and is set to rise to 44 percent by 2018.*

*Sales and segmentation data provided by IHS