1988 Lincoln [5] Machete - AllCarIndex

Official press release:

CHICAGO, Feb. 12 — A striking new concept car that explores sculptural forms in aerodynamic design will be previewed by Ford Motor Company tonight at the Chicago Auto Show.

The Lincoln Machete, a luxury four-passenger coupe, will be featured in the Lincoln-Mercury display. The auto show is at McCormick Place and will be open to the general public daily during February 12-21.

’’The integrated sculptural design exploration of the Lincoln Machete enabled the Design Center team to achieve a totally unique look, while simultaneously improving road-handling characteristics," said Jack Telnack, Ford's vice president -Design. "We undertook this design study to prove that not all concept cars need to look alike. The Lincoln Machete is just one more shape that future aero designs can take."

The coefficient of drag (a measurement of wind resistance) of the Lincoln Machete is approximated at 0.25, using fluid dynamic techniques. The car is equipped with sculpturally integrated deployable lift control devices located at both the front and rear of the vehicle. When the devices are deployed, they provide increased down force which improves handling at high speed. They also provide increased drag which aids braking.

An all-glass greenhouse and roof provides superb visibility. In a fully-engineered version of the Lincoln Machete, Switchable Privacy Glass, a development of the Ford Glass Division, would be used. This unique glass, which was installed in the Ghia HFX Aerostar concept vehicle, employs liquid crystal technology to control light transmission. In the viewing mode, 85 percent of ambient light passes through the glass. When a switch on the instrument panel is activated, less than five percent of the light passes through, offering privacy and protection from the sun.

The headlights and taillights utilize a technology called Thin Film Lighting. Benefits of this design technology are increased trunk and underhood space through component size reduction (50 percent less than today's headlight and taillight assemblies), lower cost, weight and superior light distribution which surpasses government standards.

A highly sculptured passenger compartment carries the exterior theme inside for total concept continuity. The interior environment is spacious and ergonomically sound with all surfaces blending together. The driver's seat and center console are one assembly. The relationship of the transmission selector, door lock, hood release, and stereo sound controls to the driver remain constant regardless of the seat position.

Rear vision miniature television cameras mounted on both doors would replace conventional outside rear view mirrors that increase wind drag. Through fiber-optic transmission, side and rear view images would be displayed on two small cathode ray tube screens located directly in front of the driver.

"We believe that form and function have been joined together in a very innovative and exciting manner," Mr. Telnack said. "All of us at the Design Center are extremely interested in seeing how auto show visitors react to this new shape."