Australian designer’s

The 2013 Lincoln MKS and MKT vehicles unveiled at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show give us our first indication of the Ford-owned luxury brand’s new styling direction under Australian designer Max Wolff.

The Victorian – who previously worked in design teams at Holden, GM Daewoo Korea and Cadillac –was appointed to the role of Lincoln director of design in December 2010. At the time, Lincoln said its future vehicles would build on its recent designs, with an emphasis on refining the brand’s hallmarks.

Wolff immediately went to work on cleaning up the “deliberately provocative” front ends of the MKS and MKT. He explains every exterior panel from the A-pillar forward is new on the MKS.

Above: 2013 Lincoln MKS

“The styling of the new MKS adds both refinement and elegance to the car while visually lowering and widening the front end,” he said. “The continuous bright surround linking the grille and headlamps is particularly rich and adds something significant to what is already an expressive, balanced design.”

Above: 2012 Lincoln MKS

Wolff said he also set out to change the proportions of the MKT’s face, giving it wider feel that is less vertical and tall.