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2016 Lincoln MKX images and details hit the web

Well, what do we have here? In what we're assuming is an accidental leak, a live URL from Lincoln Canada has been brought to our attention, and it's chock full of information on a new 2016 Lincoln MKX that we figure will most likely see an introduction at the Detroit Auto Show right around the corner. "Inspired by airplane design," says Lincoln, we see a good bit of the smaller MKC in the design of the next MKX, and that's a good thing. We note HID lights with LED accents, a Panoramic Vista Roof, a hands-free power liftgate and a 360-degree camera mounted behind the front Lincoln emblem as tasty exterior details to look forward to. Inside is what appears to be a pretty darn beautiful cabin, with available Bridge of Weir leather seats with optional heating and cooling, plus 22-way adjustability. Open-pore wood in either walnut swirl of olive ash looks classy, and the newly available Revel audio with 13 or optionally 19 speakers ought to work well with the car's active noise control to provide a serene driving experience. We're not entirely sure what infotainment system the 2016 Lincoln MKX will boast, but the images appear to show a version of the much-maligned MyLincoln Touch interface, and not the upcoming Sync 3, although at least there is more physical switchgear for the HVAC, as on the MKC. As far as the vehicle's engine and chassis, we see mention of an available twin-turbo 2.7-liter EcoBoost, but there's no power rating just yet – we know it will be more than 300 horsepower, but how much more is still unknown. There's no mention of the 2016 MKX's transmission, which makes us think it will probably offer the same six-speed unit as the Ford Edge. On the plus side, there will be adaptive steering to go along with three driving modes – Normal, Comfort and Sport. Lincoln Drive Control with continuously controlled damping also sounds beneficial. That's all we know so far, but we're looking forward to getting all the details, hopefully in just a few days, since the vehicle is said to be hitting showrooms in the summer of 2015. In the meantime, check out the image gallery above, and feel free to read a lengthy discussion about the leak at the FordInsideNews.com forum. Featured Gallery 2016 Lincoln MKX Leaked Images View 14 Photos News Source: Lincoln Canada via Ford Inside NewsTip: Michael Detroit Auto Show Lincoln Crossover Luxury 2015 Detroit Auto Show lincoln mkx

2020 Ford Explorer nabs IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating after updates

The 2020 Ford Explorer has been named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the agency's best rating. The redesigned Explorer initially fell short of that mark, however, only making the grade after Ford introduced a running change to the vehicle's design starting in May 2020 — a change made to the 2020 Lincoln Aviator as well. To achieve a Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must have a Good performance rating in all six of the agency's crash tests. It also must have Acceptable or better ratings for all of its available headlamps and must earn Advanced or Superior ratings for its automated collision avoidance systems in tests of their performance against pedestrians and other vehicles. The 2020 Explorer initially achieved only an Acceptable performance in the IIHS's driver's-side small-overlap crash test, as the agency found a risk of injury to the driver's left foot due to intrusion into the footwell. Ford subsequently modified the design of the front subframe in a running change to Explorers and to Lincoln Aviators built after May 2020. The modified Explorer was re-tested, and this time the model achieved a Good performance in the driver's small-overlap test. That, combined with a Superior performance in both tests of the standard collision-avoidance system plus Acceptable ratings for both headlight systems, pushed the 2020 Explorer over the goal line to Top Safety Pick+. The Aviator, which shares the Explorer's platform, has received the same modification and achieves the same crashworthiness ratings. However, its standard headlights are judged Marginal, and therefore the 2020 Aviator achieves only the Top Safety Pick rating (even though its optional curve-adaptive LED headlights are judged Good). Related Video:

Lincoln Continental to end after one-and-done generation?

After only 18 months on sale, the vultures of rumor have begun circling above the Lincoln Continental. Ford Authority says "sources intricately familiar with Ford Motor Company's future product plans" for the domestic luxury brand say the Continental won't get another chance at life after this generation. Those sources didn't detail Ford's reasons for dispatching the executioner on another sad task, but if this is true, even the reasons we can only guess make enough sense to justify the move. The Continental launched into a crossover mania still mushrooming in strength like some Marvel villain, the equivalent of a new dinosaur hatching a few months before the Chicxulub Impact Event. In 18 months, the Continental sold 18,846 units, 12,012 of those sales happening in 2017. In the U.S. this year, sales amounted to 1,573 units through February, about 25 percent down on the annualized monthly rate. It could be worse: The Lexus GS has found 1,009 U.S. buyers so far this year, the Acura RLX, 285. Conversely, the Cadillac XTS — yes, a fleet darling — secured 3,163 sales in the same period. And the German kingpins live in another dimension, with BMW scooting 5,641 5 Series models off dealer lots, and the Mercedes E-Class boasting 8,411 sales of all three variants. Even the much more expensive and much more profitable Lincoln Navigator rang up 2,351 sales in the first 60 days of 2018. That's disheartening reading, especially after Ford reportedly spent more than $1 billion to bring the Continental to market. Sedan segment woes look to have killed the Continental's platform siblings, too, making the Lincoln's demise simply part of the cull. The CD4 architecture also underpins the Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ. Ford canceled the Fusion redesign and won't commit to making either vehicle after 2020. Lincoln's passenger car sales declined more than 30 percent last month; meanwhile, Lincoln needs to spend its money on the crossovers that are selling, and investment in the coming three-row Aviator that will replace the MKT. Ford has a CD6 platform in development that suits front-, rear-, and all-wheel-drive vehicles. Under previous CEO Mark Fields, a new Fusion, Mustang, and MKZ would ride on the CD6, as well as the new Explorer and a Lincoln brother. Those plans left with the previous administration, and company sources told both Ford Authority and The Truth About Cars not to expect a Continental revival on that architecture. Related Video: