The Lincoln MKR concept will be introduced next month at the 2007 Detroit (NAIAS) show. We've known of the MKR for some time, but without any details. Now, thanks to a copy of the next issue of Car & Driver being delivered a week early and the recipient subsequently posting of the (copyrighted) images to the web, we have some details to go along with the name.
The MKR is a 4-door concept vehicle, with hidden rear doors similar to those of an RX-8 (or F-150!). It has the appearance of a 2-door, and it also has a grill that is enormous even for a Lincoln. It’s powered by a variant of the 3.7 liter twin-turbo direct-injected DOHC V-6 engine that is being developed for the upcoming MKS. It even has Brembo brakes (but then so do nearly all concepts - I remember seeing a PZEV Contour at NAIAS several years ago sporting a set).
What we've also now learned is that it is built off the S197 (Mustang) platform, using the IRS suspension that was developed as part of that platform from the start. It was to have been standard on the *real* Cobra, and perhaps the specialty Shelby - but was cancelled when the Cobra was cancelled (shortly after SVT itself was cancelled, leaving only the Shelby as the flagship Mustang, albeit an obese flagship). How do we know about the Cobra? Thanks to a fortuitous encounter of a development (mule) car on the streets of Detroit by a sharp individual with a camera.
A picture of the Cobra development mule with IRS, and my analysis of it, is here
So at last we have the IRS making a formal public appearance. But what about a production appearance in the Mustang? That’s where the picture becomes cloudy… we do know the performance Mustangs weight in at 4000 pounds without the heavy (but beneficial) IRS. That was a factor in the cancellation of the IRS… the simplistic and stone-age solid rear axle is lighter. But on the other hand it was developed with the new platform from the start and was referenced several times as such by Ford engineers. We also know the supercharged iron-block 5.4 is considerably heavier than the aluminum-block 4.6 – by as much as 200 pounds more (all of it at the wrong end of the car – resulting in a 58.5% front weight balance proportion). Elimination of the iron block motor and substitution of the upcoming all-new aluminum 6.2 liter V-8 (codename “BOSS” – previously known as Hurricane) would probably cut 150 pounds off the front of that car and increase mileage and emissions (the 5.4 is classified as a gas guzzler by the EPA the fine is added to the base price of the Shelby). That leaves some room to add some weight to the back with the IRS – also having the benefit of improving the front/rear weight balance.
Furthermore, with Lincoln paying the final development bills for the IRS, costs are further reduced (especially critical when you’ve taken out a $23.5B loan!). Long-time Mustang fans will remember that Lincoln paid the bill for development of the original High Output version of the 5 liter (actually 4.9 liters) OHV V-8. Historical precedence may be the practical answer here.
What about the Ford Interceptor concept, also to be shown at NAIAS? It’s also a 4-door car, also built from the Mustang chassis. As of this writing, until somebody discovers the details or a leak occurs, little is known about that car. The one hard fact is that Ford has said it was built from the Mustang chassis for convenience and that no plans exist to put it into production . That could also mean the MKR might not go into production either – assuming the two would share the same chassis and split development costs even further.
What would be nice:
· A revised 2010 Mustang with the IRS as an option. Sharing considerable development and production costs with the Lincoln MKR and Ford Interceptor (name likely to change).
What will actually happen (prediction):
· Given the $23.5B debt, there won’t be an MKR or an Interceptor – or an IRS for the Mustang. Instead, the 2010 Mustang will get some new sheetmetal, and will receive the 6.2 V-8 as an option. That’ll create some excitement, match the Challenger and Camaro engines (except for the Z06-engined Camaro), and the minimal development investment will carry the car until the Australians come to the rescue later in that decade.
When you see the issue of Car & Driver in the next week, and when you attend the show next month - remember that Ford is seriously and critically in debt. Concept cars are more often marketing statements more than production prototypes. Unless production is also announced, the MKR and Interceptor will be nothing more than yet another set of empty promises from Ford.
