There Can Only Be One WORST of Detroit Auto Show And We've Found it!

The Spies have been covering the Detroit Auto Show since 2002.

And as time has gone on, it has become harder and harder to pick a 'WORST Vehicle' at the show because for the most part, most cars out there are pretty good because they have to be in this competitive marketplace.

But every once in a while, one comes shining through and makes our job extremely easy.

And for 2009, we have our winner, er, we mean LOSER.

And can you believe it comes from one of the big three? ;)

It's SO bad in our opinion it could be the WORST EVER at Detroit during our tenure of covering the show.

When I first saw it I thought it was a joke...but as my eyes began to burn as if acid were thrown in them, I realized this was the concept they had birthed.

In my opinion EVERYTHING about this vehicle is wrong on SO many levels, I don't even know where to start.

How would I describe it to someone if I just had to use words?

How about a Honda Element gone WAY wrong. And as you know we think the Element is WAY wrong as it is. So to make something worse is REALLY saying something!

Or maybe it could be the LADA tribute vehicle.

Or, if you're a Communist, have we got the vehicle for you!

Or, GM had the Aztek, so we needed to make a competitor.

Or, the boss said make a coyote ugly edition.

Even the color is ridiculous!

I could go on and on and on....

But it hurts just to talk about it.

So the 2009 AutoSpies.com choice for WORST vehicle at the Detroit auto show is unanimous.

Presenting the Lincoln 'C' Concept:

Lincoln designers please turn in your designers licenses. Your services are no longer needed.

Is it me or does it look like it's wearing a hat?

Hey, I have an idea...We have the name for the production version if GOD forbid they actually build it.

The Lincoln ASS Hat.

WHAT in the name of GOD are you people thinking over at Lincoln?

Like you're not in enough trouble!

Shouldn't this one have been in the Chinese manufacturers booth?

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Type707 - 1/13/2009 2:12:32 PM

+3 Boost

Uhh...the wannabe model next to the BMW Z4....just killed it. The first picture of that mini green booger...what the heck is that???

HSCenterconsole - 1/13/2009 2:12:32 PM

+1 Boost

I wholeheartedly concur 001. Does it look as French in person as it does in these pics?

Agent001 - 1/13/2009 2:23:50 PM

-1 Boost

Sandra Bernhard is prettier than this...

veyron1001 - 1/13/2009 5:36:24 PM

0 Boost

Its already on the road. Its called the Renault Megane. Chrysler and now Lincoln have been doing this lately. Steal a Euro body design, put a face of their hideous brand and call it their car.

THESCOOTER - 1/13/2009 2:40:22 PM

+9 Boost

Wow, way to step outside the boundaries of convention here people. This is a radical step for a brand that is trying to reinvigorate itself. A clearly different C car from a company that is burdened with the image of large boat-like landships. Not a bad venture in terms of a concept I would say. I am sure the astute and impartial Agent001 understands that paint color can be changed pretty easily, but take a look at the specs of the vehicle and the overall proportion and usability - very timely I would say given the overwhelming desire to be more efficient in terms of vehicle design overall. The EcoBoost 4 sounds great and the package looks good -- hey this is better than the Acura attempt at a warmed over Civic that appears in Canada called the CSX. I like the design effort here and the different take on this size vehicle, the only thing that is weird is that notched back - does not accentuate the rear profile or create athletic stance or strong shoulder which may have made it look more imposing.

Agent001 - 1/13/2009 3:05:00 PM

-2 Boost

Lincoln should do what the brand was built to do...build better Cadillacs.

The 'C' should have NEVER been a Lincoln.

A really ugly Ford, but NOT a Lincoln.

001

inspirion7 - 1/13/2009 11:21:20 PM

+2 Boost

Great point Thescooter you are a thinker, not a knee jerk responder.

theoptimisticpessimist - 1/13/2009 4:09:00 PM

+2 Boost

You're right. What the hell is up with Lexus, a $40,000 hybrid Corolla leathered up.

Lemonade - 1/13/2009 7:52:51 PM

+2 Boost

Yet, it will sell like hot cakes.. Can't say the same about any Infiniti, no matter how much horsepower you give it.

PlanB - 1/13/2009 4:09:56 PM

+4 Boost

I actually didn't think it looked that bad. No worse than a Mini Cooper, just a bit different. They just need to change that horrible green color into something else that can do that design justice.

dhkss2002 - 1/13/2009 5:01:01 PM

+1 Boost

Errm, why not show us the back of that Audi concept? Simply nasty-IMHO.

DaHarder - 1/13/2009 5:13:13 PM

+9 Boost

As usual, 001 finds a vehicle that he dislikes, and starts another trash-talking thread with the hope that his few minions will follow his lead...

Whatever! I, personally, don't care for some elements of this vehicle's design, but it is nowhere near as unattracive as this highly exaggerated 'so called' article/opinion would have one belive.

LauderdaleDriver - 1/19/2009 10:39:02 AM

+1 Boost

I think it's an interesting car. It is obviously influenced by Renault's Megane, but selling a two-box luxury car has been risky. The Renault Velsatis and Avantime were debacles.

Still, it's worth exploring new shapes and paradigms for a future with smaller cars needing bigger interiors.

All luxury cars don't have to look like a BMW three box design to be attractive.....but they may have to have that look, to sell......

S4cabriofoxone - 1/13/2009 7:23:44 PM

+3 Boost

I don't think that this is really so awful? The color is all wrong but as a design it flows much better than the Lexus HS250. Looks like a good interpretation of the new Lincoln design philosophy in a small SUV/hatch package.

The other pictures you posted are stunning... The A7 looks amazing (is that its interior with the quilted seats and matte wood?), the Z4 looks fantastic, that VW concept, the S60 concept, the Lambo, the Maserati!

mini22 - 1/13/2009 8:11:47 PM

0 Boost

Sounds like Ford contacted Renault to ask if they could copy one of their previous designs of their Megane Hatchback.Since Renault is not selling cars here perhaps Ford felt it was ok to show it.Seriously the front half of the car is fine.Ford just needs to make it illegal to look at the rear half. The interior is ok. I really think Mini need not worry.

commander104 - 1/13/2009 8:40:40 PM

+1 Boost

if that's what they wanted, they should have just stolen the A3 design and called it a day, maybe we would have had a little bit of respect then.

Jordanski - 1/13/2009 9:37:37 PM

+1 Boost

well
it sure looks a HELL of a lot better than that excuse for a crossover-wagon thing-a-mabob lincoln calls the MKT. sorry but what ever happened to the navigator... i hope they dont even plan on mutilizing that either MKN or something jeez lincoln its time to call it quits.
everybody would much prefer if they stuck to making those drab-shab excuse of a crown victoria airport taxis.

LauderdaleDriver - 1/19/2009 10:41:11 AM

+1 Boost

The Navigator will not be able to comply with CAFE standards in the very near future. The MKT will be much more fuel efficient, even if it's not a hybrid.

kornholio - 1/13/2009 9:58:49 PM

+2 Boost

Agent 001, you need to pull your head out of your arce. That is one cool looking concept, and is a better platform for many of the cues of the Explorer America concept. Just admit that you just really hate all American cars and that this was a biased decision.

Agent001 - 1/14/2009 2:31:36 PM

+1 Boost

I just bought an 09' F-150 supercrew for myself so that couldn't be further than the truth.

001

kornholio - 1/14/2009 7:02:26 PM

+1 Boost

I stand corrected.

Ricks2Dogs - 1/13/2009 11:14:49 PM

+1 Boost

The year is 2009...TWENTY O NINE...Not all that long ago I thought we'd be flying around in our cars by now. Lets give this 'C' a chance.

inspirion7 - 1/13/2009 11:18:17 PM

+1 Boost

Everyone has an opinion and a lot of times, a design that is so different, can shock you into rethinking the ordinary. I'm glad Lincoln did the Concept C. It challenges what we think is standard fair. I've seen worst, like Toyota's IQ that no one has mentioned how weird it is because we are use to see Japanese freak mobiles. This car could very well be a Mercury, and the ingenuity that has gone into it can't be over looked.

Krazeeddd - 1/14/2009 11:17:53 AM

+1 Boost

Questionable whether it should be built as a Lincoln, or as anything for that matter but definetly a great concept car. Lincon shows something that certainly isn't badge Engineered and gets beat up for it. With a lot of modification I can see this concept as viable. I give Lincoln at least an A for effort. Even in it's present form it's way less ugly than a Smart for Two and that thing is in producton.

Agent001 - 1/14/2009 2:32:39 PM

+1 Boost

You mean I should spend more time with hot chicks and work less ;)

001

thstone - 1/14/2009 2:36:06 PM

+1 Boost

I'm sure that Henry Leland is turning over in his grave! To put the Lincoln badge on a vehicle like this is nothing short of heresy.

M53R - 1/14/2009 2:46:45 PM

+1 Boost

Hmm... It's not as bad as you make it seem Agent001. I mean, even though the design isn't that great, it looks very practical and roomy. The only grudge I have against it is the rear profile.

For me, the ugliest car in the show is the HS250h. I don't know what the Lexus designers were thinking when they designed that thing.

M53R - 1/14/2009 3:20:46 PM

+1 Boost

Well I respect that. I really find the HS250h hideous though IMO!

EL34 - 1/14/2009 7:12:17 PM

+1 Boost

The worst car in Detroit is the new Lexus funny car.

The best is the new crossover Lincoln MKT.

That will be all and please close the thread.

macbjg - 1/17/2009 1:58:06 PM

+1 Boost

I don't think this vehicle is to be taken seriously. It looks like a PT Cruiser that overdosed on fugly pills, and that is something!

audihater - 1/17/2009 10:12:45 PM

+1 Boost

Lincoln Designer 1: "Hey, did we get any bailout money?"
Lincoln Designer 2: "Yea, but we didn't touch it yet. Mullally doesn't think we need it right now."
Lincoln Designer 1: "Have you seen the dashboard in the MKX "luxury" crossover? We need it. Well, there's only one thing to do. Let's spend millions designing a concept that resembles the monster that was in my dream last night. That way, Mullally will have to tap the funds and we'll be able to designing cars that we intend to sell!"
Lincoln Designer 2: "Brilliant!"

Porschinator - 1/19/2009 8:43:12 PM

+1 Boost

MB Blue Zero got my Worst of Show vote...

gormanwvzb - 2/3/2009 3:43:01 PM

+1 Boost

You think this is ugly, you should see the Porsche museum! Its in Stuttgart and looks just like Boba Fett’s ship from Star Wars.

I saw a series of pictures in an article title “A Matter of Taste” found at http://cleanerairforcities.blogspot.com/2009/02/matter-of-taste.html