Detroit NAIAS 2009: Lincoln Concept C hints at Mini Cooper rival

Posted: Jan 12, 2009
Filed under: Auto Shows, Hybrids, Green News, Industry News, Lincoln

  • •  Competes with: Mini Cooper, BMW 1-Series, Mercedes-Benz B-Class.
  • •  1.6L EcoBoost inline 4-cylinder producing 180-hp
  • •  Returns a projected 43 mpg on the highway.

Lincoln today dropped a brand new concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The Lincoln C Concept is a study that offers big luxury in C-sized package for the upscale urban consumer – basically a rival to the Mini Cooper, BMW 1-Series and the upcoming Mercedes-Benz A and B-Class. You can even think of the Lincoln C as Lincoln’s version of the Ford Focus.

“Modern luxury buyers who live and work in large, urban areas want to play their part in helping the environment by moving to a smaller vehicle, but they still want to enjoy the luxuries of life,” said Peter Horbury, executive director of Design, The Americas.

Click through for more details and the high-res image gallery.

Lincoln C Concept:

   

We’re guessing that’s a good market for Lincoln to venture into since none of its rivals have aggressively attacked that demographic. Horbury said the Lincoln C Concept is designed with contemporary consumer in mind – you know those that hang out in art galleries and always play with their iPhones.

Power for the Lincoln C Concept comes from a 1.6L EcoBoost inline 4-cylinder engine that makes a total of 180-hp and 180 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a dual-clutch PowerShift 6-speed transmission, the Lincoln C returns a projected 43 mpg on the highway.

Ford is also displaying its latest Eva HMI-technology in the Lincoln C. Now production plans have been revealed as of yet.

Lincoln C Concept:

 

Related Posts:

  1. Detroit NAIAS 2009: 2010 Lincoln MKT Unveiled
  2. Detroit NAIAS 2009: 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost returns 25 mpg on the highway
  3. Detroit NAIAS 2009: Volkswagen Concept BlueSport unveiled in Detroit
  4. Detroit NAIAS 2009: Audi Sportback Concept hints at the Audi A7
  5. Detroit NAIAS 2009: 2009 Subaru Legacy Concept hints at future Legacy

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  • Smoke
    This is a C-Segment Platform. So, how does it compete with an A segment sized Mini Cooper? This car will be so much bigger, with better MPG and horsepower. This thing should kill Mini sales, theoretically. Next Gen Hyundai Accent will probably be a better competitor with the B-Segment sized Mini Clubman, and even the B-segment Accent might be too big.
  • Ivan Gutierrez
    Looks cool. I wonder how that steering wheel works.
  • Pat
    i doubt that will make it into production
  • Ivan Gutierrez
    yeah I know i was just wondering.
  • neil
    So Randy you just prefer Lincoln amke towncars that no one under 60 ever buys - as a "concept" design it physically has a laws but the idea of a Compact Luxury vehicle from Ford is an absolutely necessary if they are going to survive.
  • This car does NOT look like it would its own against a Scion XA let alone a Mini Cooper - come on Lincoln - you can do better! Or perhaps starships don't need keys... but this segment don't need you!
  • neil
    If they take the Curent Euro Focus undepinnings and engine (which are very good) and put this styling on it it should take sales away from Mini Cooper and get younger drivers into Lincoln financing!
    The Real success of Mini for BMW is really only just happening as they convert Mini owners (many female) to 3 series owners!
  • neil
    and i lik ethe way the interior shot sutlely shows a DSG style steering wheel shifter
  • Pat
    City people will buy this - but only if it screams "im going green" like the Smart Car or the Prius
  • Bobmarley
    good power and mpg's, cool suicide doors, gay seat stenciling, a love hate design, and it looks like its only got 1-2 cub feet of trunk space...if that?

    ...will appeal to a small nitch market
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