Big Rigging in a Lincoln
The Mark LT concept truck, soon to become a 2006 model when it goes into production next year, is Ford's second attempt to launch a full-size pickup truck in its Lincoln Mercury division. The poor-selling Lincoln Blackwood, which was based on the old F-150 pickup, was discontinued after two years of production. Still, it didn't deter the company from trying again, this time off of the new F-150.
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| Unfazed by the poor results of the Lincoln Blackwood, Ford is introducing another full-size pickup truck in its Lincoln Mercury division. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
The Mark LT will combine Lincoln's luxury features and the usefulness of the new F-150, O'Connor said.
"The Mark LT has functionality which, for whatever reason, (the Blackwood) was designed with little functionality--it wasn't offered as a 4x4," he noted. "Pickup drivers want functionality. So, it's got a full bed and a full interior. Nothing is compromised in it and we've learned from experience."
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| Unlike the Blackwood, the Mark LT has been designed not just for looks, but functionality. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
The pickup will be called a "Mark" because that's the name that Lincoln has traditionally reserved for vehicles that offer the ultimate in personal luxury transportation to its customers, added Lincoln Mercury President Darrel Hazel.
At the front of the Atlantic Pearl colored Mark LT concept is a chrome waterfall grille, with a Lincoln star that gets illuminated at night. It also has other touches of chrome on the exterior, from the shiny bumpers, to bright body side cladding that looks like "shining armor," to the 20-inch spokes wheels, door handles and mirror caps. Even the truck's box has chrome rail moldings, a styling enhancement that is carried over to the twin exhaust tips.