Lincoln Rolls Out the Carpet for New 2015 MKC SUV at LA Show [w/Video]

The new 2015 Lincoln MKC making its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show this week could prove to be one of the most important vehicles for Ford's troubled, near-premium brand, as it competes in a category that continues to grow and hasn't yet been conquered and saturated by Japanese and European (German) firms.

As Lincoln points out, sales in the compact luxury crossover category have grown by 25 percent since 2012, and by over than 200 percent from 2009.

Lincoln says it developed the MKC mainly with the German competition from Audi (Q5), BMW (X3) and Mercedes-Benz (GLK) in mind.

First introduced as a concept vehicle at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, we'd say that the production model looks modern all around (with a hint or two of Audi on the profile), sans the front end where the "mustache" grille reminds us of Lincolns inglorious styling past.

You'll be able to get the MKC with either a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder turbocharged engine, projected to produce 240-horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 270 lb.-ft. or Ford's all-new 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four estimated to deliver 275 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 300 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm. Notably, the same unit, with a different tuning, will be used on the next Mustang.

As standard, the MKC will come with front-wheel drive and 18-inch wheels, but Lincoln will offer optional all-wheel drive and 19-inch wheels.

North American sales of the car will begin in the second quarter of 2014.

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Veil Falls off 2015 Lincoln MKC SUV, Gets New 2.3-Liter EcoBoost with 275 HP [w/Videos]

The MKC, the second of four all-new vehicles Lincoln plans to launch to facilitate the brand’s “reinvention,” has just been revealed (likely ahead of its debut at the Los Angeles motor show – the automaker didn't say).

First shown in concept form in Detroit earlier this year, the MKC changes little from show car to production model, and retains the stylish edge it has over the more mundane Ford Escape (Kuga in Europe) on which it’s mechanically based.

So, since it basically looks the same as the concept which we already know, we’ll try to focus on the more practical stuff, like engine choices. The MKC’s basic power plant will be Ford’s 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that delivers 240 hp, however, it will also serve as the rollout vehicle for the new 2.3-liter EcoBoost unit that will also be found under the bonnets of the new Ford Mustang and new Focus RS. It makes a claimed 275 hp in this application at a lowly 5,500 rpm, as well as 300 lb-ft (406 Nm) at 3,000 rpm.

As standard, it will come with front-wheel drive, though Lincoln’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive and 19-inch wheels are available to enhance the driving dynamics.

On the tech side of things, it offers frontal collision warning and mitigation, lane-keep assist and a smart parking system that not only steers the car into a spot, but also out of it. A Blind Spot Information System is also available, as is cross-traffic alert, “which detects traffic as the vehicle backs from a parking space.”

It can even be specified with a new system called Approach Detection, which as its name so evidently suggests is aware of the driver’s position, and once he or she gets close enough it “issues a warm welcome that includes illuminated welcome mats next to both front doors and soft lighting in the door-handle pockets” – it’s one of the videos linked below.

The rest is pretty much what you’d expect from a production version of the MKC, coming with all the gadgets already offered on other Fords and Lincolns and the inherent image problem that the latter brings about. However, they’re hopeful with this one, as it is set to go into production in the second quarter of 2014, with first showroom deliveries beginning next summer.

Finally, along with the new posh crossover, Ford’s luxury arm is also launching Lincoln Experiences “to cater to today’s progressive luxury car buyer,” that feature “highly crafted new products, luxurious automotive features and an enhanced dealership experience.”

By Andrei Nedelea

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