Dressed To Silence

The production version of the Lincoln MKS was unveiled to the public in November 2007 at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The MKS went on to make its sales debut in the summer of 2008 as a 2009 model. A number of changes occurred to the MKS during its transition from concept to production vehicle. While the MKS' greenhouse and overall exterior shape was kept, the front fascia received a significant update in the form of a new, bolder grille. The new grille was a chrome, split-wing design inspired by the grille used on the 2007 Lincoln MKR Concept, which was in turn inspired by the grille design of the 1941 Lincoln Continental. In a smaller change, the dual trapezoidal-shaped chrome exhaust tips of the MKS Concept gave way to more common circular chrome tips in the production version.Inside the production MKS, many of the design elements seen in the MKS Concept were carried over, though with some revision. While much of the design and shape of elements in the production MKS' interior is shared with that of the MKS Concept, the production MKS differs in the types of materials used. The concept's Aniline leather, used in seating surfaces, is substituted with Scottish Bridge of Weir leather in the production version. The suede used to cover door panels, interior panels, and dashboard top in the MKS Concept is replaced with soft ThermoPlastic Olefin for the door and interior panels and leatherette for the top of the dashboard. The real wood instrument panel applique from the concept was kept but used olive-ash or ebony wood instead of maple. One of the only other obvious interior changes from the concept was the steering wheel, which was changed to a design similar to that of steering wheels in other, similar model year Lincolns."

A 2014 Lincoln MKS displayed at the Rochester International Auto Show 2014.