2013 Lincoln MKZ spotted beside its predecessor

We've seen the 2013 Lincoln MKZ on the road before sans camouflage, but it's the company that this particular MKZ is keeping that makes these photos notable.

Snapped by Autoweek reader Jon McCrary in Traverse City, Mich., the pictures show the upcoming 2013 MKZ next to a current-generation MKZ. The contrast is striking.

Whether or not you're a fan of the new MKZ's styling, this side-by-side comparison makes the current model look like little more than a glorified Ford Fusion—which, of course, it is.

The 2013 Lincoln MKZ also shares a platform with the Ford Fusion, but it is longer and wider than its predecessor. Expect to pay at least $36,800 for the MKZ when it goes on sale later this year.

By Graham Kozak