A concept car is generally used to demonstrate a brand’s future vision. As a result, most automakers have reflected elements of a concept car in future production cars. If we look at the concept car from this perspective, we can get a rough idea of what direction the brand will develop its vehicles.
Of course, quite a few concept cars do not make it to production. A representative example is the Lincoln concept car Mark X, unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in 2004. However, looking at the concept car again now shows a modern design that is not outdated. This time, we will look closer at Lincoln’s concept car, Mark X, from that time.
The Lincoln concept car Mark X was revealed as a two-seater convertible
The Lincoln brand’s Mark series is a long-running model that began production in 1956. It went through a long period of production and discontinuation until the 8th generation when it was finally discontinued in 1998. Afterward, a related concept car was unveiled in 2001, and the X concept car was unveiled in 2004.
The Lincoln concept car, Mark X, is a two-seater convertible. Looking at the exterior of the car body, the car body is an appropriate mix of straight lines and curves, and there is a large grille on the front. There are lamps on both sides of the grill, and the Lincoln emblem is applied on the bonnet.
At the rear, horizontal tail lamps and a bumper-integrated muffler were applied. It also features a hardtop, which is rarely seen these days. The interior differs from the general style of US-made cars launched in 2004, and the beige color expresses luxury. The instrument panel has the feel of a square clock, and a display is located in the center console.
Equipped with a 280 horsepower V8 engine
Overall performance is decent
The Lincoln Mark X concept car is powered by a 3.9-liter V8 engine, generating a maximum of 280 horsepower. Although it may not be a very outstanding output by current standards, it can be considered an acceptable level of performance at the time. It will be easier to understand if you refer to the fact that the Benz W220 S-Class, which was sold around the same time, was equipped with a V8 4.3-liter engine and generated a maximum output of 275 horsepower, and its 5.0-liter engine produced 307 horsepower.
It was also equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive was applied as standard. 0-62 mph acceleration is unknown. Lincoln was expected to continue the lineage of the Mark series with an overall neat design, a convertible that could open, and a V8 large-displacement engine that demonstrated acceptable performance.
Unfortunately, it didn’t make it to production
and the concept car was sold at auction
Unfortunately, the concept car, Mark X, was not launched as a production car. At the time, demand for sports cars gradually decreased in the US. This is because Lincoln judged that it had no chance of winning as there were strong competing brands such as BMW and Benz. Since then, Lincoln has drastically reduced its existing sedan lineup and continued its successful transformation into an SUV-specialized brand.
Lincoln kept the Lincoln concept car Mark X and put it up for auction in 2010. James Powers, who designed this car, won the bid and kept it until he passed away last year. On March 8th, this concept car will be auctioned again.
