In a few days' time, we'll know exactly how much the Lincoln MKZ gained or lost in the transition from concept car to production model as the Ford group will lift the veils off its new premium mid-size model at the 2012 New York International Auto Show next Wednesday.
One feature of the car that Lincoln is willing to share with us before its grand premiere is the 2013 MKZ's huge glass roof that measures 15.2 square feet or 1.41 square meters, which if not the largest, is one of the largest of its kind in a production sedan.
“People are in a place today where they want to bring the outside in,” C.J. O’Donnell, Lincoln marketing manager, told Bloomberg News in an interview. “There’s a trend in architecture and design of increasing natural light in offices, homes, restaurants, hotels. Now that’s being translated into the vehicle.”
The panoramic roof, which slides back on the rear windshield (we've no idea yet if and how this will affect rearward visibility), will be offered as an option on the 2013 MKZ. O’Donnell didn't say how much it would cost but he believes that most buyers will tick the option box.
“We think there will be good demand for this feature,” said O’Donnell. “This is a good business opportunity for us.”
Lincoln said that the self-adjustable glass top includes a wind deflector and that moves eight inches (203.2mm) forward at speeds above 40mph (65 km/h) to "maintain a quiet riding environment and a watertight cabin in the face of the most demanding conditions."
O’Donnell added that Lincoln has tested the 5-mm thick glass top in all sorts of conditions.
"We tested that roof for over 14 months under the worst monsoon conditions. The roof also has an SPF factor of 100, so there’s no reason to worry about getting sunburned," he said.
The MKZ was previewed in concept form at this year's Detroit Motor Show. It uses the same platform as the new Ford Fusion (Mondeo in Europe).
9 Comments:
Looks to be a longterm problematic area of the vehicle with those exterior, although slotted, rear tracks. Plus, look at the height that the variable wind deflector can attain. Weird.
I like it. It looks good but I hope it opens up more than that otherwise what's the point. Then they should have went with a regular panoramic roof. Also, I hope there's a safeguard inplace incase the tracks accumulate ice or a small twig or something else that could jam the track without damaging anything.
I can imagine having the MKZ as a car or taxi in the middle of Winter in Toronto. The tracks would get so dirty and ice up to the point of jamming. I assume getting rust protection in that area would also be a pain considering the rails would probably be filled with crap anyways. I'd rather have a 500C style roof so it almost becomes a landaulet style type of car.
all these gimmicks to hide from the fact that its not a real rear wheel drive credible luxury car. lincoln needs its own platforms like cadillac in order to compete.
Probably one of the more interesting design/engineering features on a new American car, about time they tried something new.
FWD doesn't seem to be a problem for Audi. And they're even nose heavy.
Didn't Porsche have something similar on some 911s? It seemed to work OK and would be a nice touch on a luxury sedan.
Am I the only one that finds it strange that people are worried about ice jamming it from opening? I've had plenty of cars with moonroofs and have never opened any during the winter. Why exactly would you be opening this when there is ice around?
That's because only an idiot opens the sunroof in winter.
If you wait until spring, when the ice has melted, you won't ever have to worry about ice jamming in the sunroof tracks.
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