Start with what the Lincoln MK9 is: a 2-door coupé (MK9) / 2-door convertible (Mark X), built from 2001 to 2004, in the decade of stability control, dual-clutch gearboxes and the first serious hybrids. What it meant takes a little longer. The shape is credited to Gerry McGovern.
How it came about
The Lincoln MK9 is a two-door concept coupe presented by Lincoln in 2001 at the New York International Auto Show, and was intended to explore the possibility of a new Mark Series model to succeed the discontinued Mark VIII.
The MK9 was built by Italian coachbuilder Stola on a stretched version of Ford’s DEW architecture used in the Lincoln LS and Ford Thunderbird and was built to run and drive. The MK9 is rear-wheel drive, with a V8 engine paired to an automatic transmission, and four wheel independent suspension.The MK9 was designed under Lincoln design chief Gerry McGovern, with initial drawings by Marek Reichman and Adriana Monk. The design features a waterfall grille with a central Lincoln emblem; two full-length chrome accents on the vehicle's left and right shoulder and chrome accented air vents near the doors on the front fenders. The interior features lacquered wood and leather, dark cherry flooring, white leather headliner and red leather seats.The MK9 concept introduced a new naming convention for Lincoln, using letter and number combinations. The naming system is similar to that of Mercedes-Benz or BMW, without referencing a vehicle's engine size. The MK9 was auctioned off by Ford in 2010 and is currently owned by the Bortz Auto Collection.
Under the skin
The record carries the shape — a 2-door coupé (MK9) / 2-door convertible (Mark X). The engine, output and weight have not yet reached the open record, and MotorJury does not guess at them.
Family and rivals
The cars a buyer would have weighed it against include the Honda Fit, the Mazda Mazda6, the Citroën C3. Its Lincoln stablemates include the Lincoln First Call and the Lincoln Funeral Car.