In a few days’ time, we’ll know exactly how much the Lincoln MKZ gained or lost in the transition from concept car to production model as the Ford group will lift the veils off its new premium mid-size model at the 2012 New York International Auto Show next Wednesday.
One feature of the car that Lincoln is willing to share with us before its grand premiere is the 2013 MKZ’s huge glass roof that measures 15.2 square feet or 1.41 square meters, which if not the largest, is one of the largest of its kind in a production sedan.
“People are in a place today where they want to bring the outside in,” C.J. O’Donnell, Lincoln marketing manager, told Bloomberg News in an interview. “There’s a trend in architecture and design of increasing natural light in offices, homes, restaurants, hotels. Now that’s being translated into the vehicle.”
The panoramic roof, which slides back on the rear windshield (we’ve no idea yet if and how this will affect rearward visibility), will be offered as an option on the 2013 MKZ. O’Donnell didn’t say how much it would cost but he believes that most buyers will tick the option box.
“We think there will be good demand for this feature,” said O’Donnell. “This is a good business opportunity for us.”
Lincoln said that the self-adjustable glass top includes a wind deflector and that moves eight inches (203.2mm) forward at speeds above 40mph (65 km/h) to “maintain a quiet riding environment and a watertight cabin in the face of the most demanding conditions.”
O’Donnell added that Lincoln has tested the 5-mm thick glass top in all sorts of conditions.
“We tested that roof for over 14 months under the worst monsoon conditions. The roof also has an SPF factor of 100, so there’s no reason to worry about getting sunburned,” he said.
The MKZ was previewed in concept form at this year’s Detroit Motor Show. It uses the same platform as the new Ford Fusion (Mondeo in Europe).
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