We first saw spy photos of the Lincoln MKT concept only a week ago, and it’s now here as a concept at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.Based on the fact that a development mule was spotted already, you can ignore Lincoln when it says the MKT is a potential new vehicle for the brand. It is a new vehicle for the brand.

The new premium CUV is believed to be based on the platform of the Ford Flex and follows the Explorer America concept in being powered by one of Ford’s new EcoBoost engines. Like its sedan sibling, the MKS, this one gets a turbocharged 3.5L V6 that allows you to choose between either E85 or premium grade petroleum-based gasoline.

The premium requirement is the result of the engine being optimized for the higher octane ratings of the biofuel. The upside is that output jumps from 340 hp/340 lb-ft to 415hp and 400 lb-ft. All of that twisting force is transmitted through a six-speed automatic transmission and distributed to all four wheels for propulsion. Read more »

Ford is reporting that its Lincoln luxury brand will overtake Mercury in sales sometime in 2008. Now, if you replaced ‘Mercury’ in that last sentence with a word like ‘Cadillac’ or ‘Lexus’, then we might have some news to talk about.

Instead, this appears to be further evidence that A) Lincoln’s sales are improving, but too slow to overtake any of its competitors, and B) Mercury is destined to remain nothing more than a well-defined trim level for Ford.

Don’t get us wrong. We’re not saying Mercurys are bad vehicles, we’re just saying they’re Fords. Read more »