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

  • “¢  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: