All-New 2017 Lincoln MKZ Makes Surprise Debut at LA Auto Show

The completely redesigned 2017 Lincoln MKZ made its world debut at the L.A. Auto Show and will likely be one of the show’s most surprising reveals.

Sporting a stunning new look that takes everything we liked about the Continental concept and applying it to a production car, the new MKZ will set Lincoln in a new design direction in hopes of finding more fans with drivers under the middle aged mark and customers in China. The biggest stylistic change is the grille; the split wing design is gone in favor of a strong rectangular mesh grille that gives the mid-sized luxury sedan a more mainstream look. (If you squint, the MKZ looks like the American lovechild of an Audi and a Jaguar, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.) The front end also gets new adaptive LED headlights.

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The elegant design continues in the back, where Lincoln opted to keep the signature light bar that spans the width of the entire back end.

Under the hood, the Lincoln MKZ will have two engine/powertrain options: a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque with AWD and torque vectoring, or a 2.0L four-cylinder hybrid with 245 hp and front-wheel drive. Lincoln promises that both options focus on “smooth, refined power” and “quiet luxury.”

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The MKZ also gets a lot of new tech and safety features: collision assist, adaptive cruise control with the ability to drive in stop-and-go traffic, park assist for parallel and perpendicular parking (driving in and driving out), an auto holding brake, quick charge USB ports, pedestrian detection, and active noise control.

Inside, there is also a push-button gear shift, new storage cubbies, an available fully retractable panoramic sunroof, and the option of two new Revel audio systems, one with 14 speakers and one with 20 speakers.

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ, which is the highest volume seller for Ford’s luxury brand, goes on sale in summer 2016. Pricing will be announced closer to launch.

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