What happens when you take the rugged, trail-conquering DNA of the Ford Bronco and dress it in the sophisticated elegance of a Lincoln?
That was the exact question the team at MotorTrend brought to my desk. In my latest automotive illustration project, I set out to visualize a premium American 4x4 capable of going toe-to-toe with luxury off-road icons. Here is a look behind the design process and how this bespoke, go-anywhere concept came to life.
The Brief: Taking on the Off-Road Heavyweights
When MotorTrend asked me to draw a Ford Bronco-based Lincoln SUV meant to rival the Mercedes G-Class and Range Rover, I knew it would be a fun design challenge. The market for high-end, go-anywhere vehicles is booming, and drivers expect a ride that can conquer the wilderness without sacrificing an ounce of comfort. Combining a tough, heavy-duty off-roader with Lincoln’s smooth, elegant style is a tricky balancing act, but it is exactly the kind of project I love to tackle.
Smoothing Out the Edges
For these illustrations, my main goal was to keep the boxy shape that makes the Bronco so capable. That square footprint is perfect for off-road visibility and maximizing interior space. However, I needed to totally redesign the outside to look like a true luxury vehicle. I started by smoothing out the sharp, rugged lines. The standard Bronco wears a lot of bulky, unpainted plastic parts designed to take a beating on the rocks. I traded those utilitarian pieces for clean, body-colored panels that flow together seamlessly, making the SUV look much more solid, grounded, and put-together.
Crafting the Signature Lincoln Face
The front end was the most important part to get right, as a car's face instantly defines its character. I added a big, recognizable Lincoln grille and paired it with sleek LED lights and the glowing star logo right in the center. This bold setup connects the concept instantly to current luxury models like the Navigator and Aviator, making sure nobody mistakes its lineage when it appears in the rearview mirror.
Hiding the Donor Car
One of the biggest traps in automotive illustration is making a design look like a simple copy of its donor platform. To make sure it looked like a unique, high-end vehicle and not just a rebadged Ford, I paid special attention to the profile. I cleaned up the sides and doors, removing the hardcore modular hinges and exposed hardware. To finish off the side profile, I added crisp chrome trim around the tall windows to give it that premium, tailored look.
Ready for the Dirt or the Driveway
Stance is everything, so I placed the vehicle on large, classy multi-spoke wheels wrapped in thick all-terrain tires. The final design shows an SUV with a split personality in the best way possible. It looks just as good parked with the valet at a nice restaurant as it does out splashing through a muddy dirt road. It’s always great working with MotorTrend to show readers what future cars might look like, and designing this tough but upscale Lincoln was a perfect way to see how a rugged 4x4 looks when it gets dressed in a luxury suit.
Read the complete story on MotorTrend here.
