Lincoln C concept (2009)

Play the word association game with an average American, and when the topic is "Lincoln," you're likely to hear words like "traditional," "big," and "limousine." Terms describing compact hatchbacks like the Concept C shown above simply won't be on the tips of anyone's tongues. So what gives? Has Dearborn finally looped it? Take a closer look, and what at first seems like a designer pet project reveals a good deal more forethought and finesse.Yes, the Concept C is small. Said to be underpinned by the next-generation Ford Focus platform, this is a C-segment car, much shorter than any current Lincoln, and indeed, much shorter than any Lincoln we can recall. But how about that width? Emphasized by its sizable fenders and the strong shoulder-line in the doors (said to be inspired by the saddle tanks on go karts), the Concept C may be as long as a Focus, but it's roughly as wide as a MKZ sedan. The extra width and the upright greenhouse (there's almost no tumblehome at all) mean that the C can accommodate two rows of three full-sized adults in surprising comfort. The bustle back shape reminds of a number of Gallic automobiles, including the previous Renault Megane, but rather amazingly, the formal roofline, twin wing grilles and full-width rear light bar that are Lincoln hallmarks don't look out of place.

Despite the traditional cues, the Concept C is not without a youthful sense of humor. Perhaps you've heard how some MINI and Jeep drivers wave or flash their lights when they are passed by someone driving the same type of vehicle. The Concept C takes this bit of roadway camaraderie and automates it: Every time a Concept C detects another Concept C driving in the opposite direction, it 'winks' one of its lights.

Open the Concept C's pillarless suicide doors (reminiscent of those employed on the 1961 Continental), and both driver and passengers alike are greeted with a wall-to-wall minimalist treat. Bench style seats are a nod to Lincoln's past and make good use of the car's width, and thanks to thin frames, they also help maximize interior space. We've seen thin seat technology for years now on showcars, and their clean lines and space savings will hopefully find their way into an actual production vehicle soon. It's also interesting to note how the Concept C's seats themselves are sculpted, as when you sit in them, your lower legs naturally kick out an almost recliner-like fashion. We were actually able to sit inside the Concept C at a special preview last week, and though we thought this might feel off-putting, in our experience it was rather relaxing and allowed rear seat passengers to make the most of the space underneath the front seats. All-in, Ford says the passenger compartment is roomier than in the aforementioned '61 Continental, which is literally no small feat.

What Does It All Mean?So, what's the point of the Concept C – is it merely some pie-in-the-sky Lincoln, a case of letting the designers blow off a little creative steam? We might have thought so, but after a recent afternoon at Ford's Dearborn Tech Center inspecting the car and talking with the Blue Oval's full slate of design gurus and executives, we began to change our mind. When we asked Ford's group vice president of Design, J Mays, point-blank if the C is a conceptual trial balloon designed to gauge if Lincoln can play as a global brand (in markets where small premium cars are already accepted), he was quick to nip that notion in the bud. Ford, Mays astutely pointed out, must focus its energies on righting its fortunes in the U.S. before it could ever entertain taking Lincoln abroad. Given the unusual width of this car, the Concept C would actually be ill equipped to drive on many European or Japanese streets anyhow, and narrowing the car would probably prevent Lincoln-specific design cues like the full-width taillights from working visually.In talking with Peter Horbury, executive director of Design, The Americas, we learned that Ford sees a real future in small footprint luxury automobiles. To this point, the U.S. market's message has been mixed, with cheeky premium cars from MINI and smart beating sales expectations, while others like the Audi A3, BMW 1-Series, and Volvo C30 have struggled to find an audience. But Horbury believes that Americans are moving away from the "value by the pound" mentality, as they are increasingly willing to pay top dollar for small, stylish, quality products like Apple's iPod and high-end mobile telephones. The recent regression of gasoline prices has certainly hurt the segment's odds for success in the short term, but whether it's fuel prices, public tastes, or emissions standards that conspire to make small cars a more viable solution, Ford sees small cars going upscale in America.