MKC comes standard with a 2-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine and front-wheel-drive.
The floundering Lincoln Motor Company will attempt to prove it has a pulse as it partners this evening with a firm Automotive Rhythms to show the all-new 2015 Lincoln MKC during an “Evening of Style” at Siren Studios in Hollywood. Hosted by actress Nia Long, with musical acts from BLACK WAAT3R and DJ B-Hen, guests will see Lincoln’s newly revealed small utility vehicle that is a long way from introduction late next year. Through October, Lincoln has only sold 67,000 vehicles during 2013 for a -3% decline from 2012 in a market that has grown more than 8%.
The regional ‘wanna be’ upscale brand badly needs a clean launch of the MKC in the fastest growing luxury segment after the botched introduction of the mid-size MKZ sedan that resulted in six months of delays that are only now being resolved after 22 service bulletins and two recalls for fires and electrical shocks. On paper, the Escape-based compact SUV is the right vehicle in the SUV happy U.S., if customers accept the badge engineering approach that previously led to Mercury’s demise, a dubious proposition that has history against it.
Sync with MyLincoln Touch enables drivers to personalize MKC by using voice-activated commands or controls on the 8-inch touch screen. Knobs and buttons on the center console provide additional access the a/c and sound system.
MKC comes standard with a 2-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder turbocharged engine, projected at 240 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 270 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm, according to preliminary test data. When equipped with the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine, MKC offers a projected 275 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 300 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm. Class-exclusive (so far) Active Grille Shutters are designed to help improve MKC fuel efficiency at highway speeds.
MKC comes standard with front-wheel drive and 18-inch wheels. Buyers can opt for all-wheel drive and 19-inch wheels. The AWD system also includes Continuously Controlled Damping with sport, comfort and normal drive modes. CCD constantly monitors the road, and the suspension reacts on average within 20 milliseconds, providing what is claimed to be a smooth ride with enhanced handling.
MKC also offers technology long available at Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz such as collision warning with brake support, a Lane-Keeping System and driver assist to help avoid accidents. The collision warning system is designed to alert the driver if it detects a potential front-end crash. The system issues an audible alert in the cabin, a visual alert on the windshield and automatic brake assist sensitivity. It also has optional park-out assist technology, a class-exclusive feature that enhances the vehicle’s active park assist capabilities. Where active park assist helps guide drivers into tight parallel parking situations, park-out assist steers drivers out of tight parking spots. (See Porsche Macan Compact SUV Debuts in Los Angeles)
