Lincoln introduces SUV based on the Ford Escape

FordFordUnited States of America, 1903 > present92 models
2522 photos
11 videos
's luxury brand in the United States, LincolnLincolnUnited States of America, 1917 > present26 models
475 photos
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, is getting ready to enter the SUV market. In Detroit the brand will unveil the MKC concept, a pre-production version of the model with the same name.

The MKC is based on the Ford EscapeFord Escape Gen.3United States of America, 2012 > present10 versions
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(or KugaFord KugaUnited Kingdom, 2008 > 201226 versions
49 photos
in other markets) but receives a distinctive exterior design and a more polished interior. The concept has a longer wheelbase and is lower than the Escape. The production version will see some details of the prototype removed but the final version of the MKC is virtually identical to the vehicle shown in Detroit.

The SUV's interior has room for four passengers and gets its own dashboard, different from all Ford's models. It's equipped with an unusual set of selection buttons on the left side of a touchscreen with P, R, N and D buttons just as you see in large commercial passenger vehicles.

Models such as the MKC or the future MKS and MKX want to regain the prestige that Lincoln had in the 90s in the United States when it was the leader of the luxury segment. The brand aims to attract new and younger clients and also plans to successfully enter the Chinese market in 2014.

The production version of the MKC will be launched by the end of 2013.