2012 Lincoln MKS Preview

New for the full-size luxury class for 2009, the Lincoln MKS debuted with a powerful turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 engine, the first EcoBoost engine in the Ford and Lincoln lineup. Moving 3.5 liters and generating 355 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, while achieving 25 mpg highway, the MKS 'engine supposedly made the need for a V-8 option obsolete. With a large number of trick technology, MKS carved out a niche as a sporty, but not particularly sporty, full-size sedan, the struggle to do in the market against the established names in Germany and Japan in the heart of the $ 50,000 lux segment. Coming with optional all-wheel drive atmospheric 3.7-liter V-6 models and standard on the EcoBoost four-wheel drive cars, the MKS is a willing handler, but does not expect a new track lap record. That said, it's not so much a competitor to the establishment of foreign luxury car manufacturers as much as it is for your own Ford Taurus SHO sedan, which is much the same car with 10 horsepower and cost about $ 8000 less. Except for some noise and isolation, the biggest difference between the two are the badges on the front of each, so the SHO seem much more cautious buying.

Body style: Four-door sedan

Engines: 3.7-liter V-6, turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 (EcoBoost)

Transmission: six-speed automatic

Models: Lincoln MKS, Lincoln MKS AWD, Lincoln MKS EcoBoost

Optional navigation and Ultimate packages is the Blind Spot Information System, that drivers of other vehicles in their blind spots warning. New colors are Cinnamon Metallic, Crystal Champagne Metallic, Dark Blue Pearl Metallic and Silver Metallic Diamond Premium jacket. A remote starter pack and smokers are now available for 2012 models.

Large and in charge, the more gracefully integrates MKS Lincoln split grille and appearance than some of its stablemates. Available to the MKS is a large dual-panel moonroof that brings in plenty of sunlight, 20-inch wheels and chrome borders on the windows. The MKS comes standard with HID headlights and LED taillights, and the package comes across as smooth, powerful and purposeful.

Lincoln's THX audio system is great, and Sync keeps hands on the wheel with hands-free calling. Pampered rake and plush leather chairs, travel is a breeze, and parking is even easier with the optional park assist, which uses radar sensors to park parallel to the MKS little more than brake modulation of the driver.

Like muscle cars of yesteryear, the MKS is a lot of the engine in the EcoBoost equipped, but not much of anything else when a bend in the road. The steering is light and numb and the brakes are mushy. Remove the motor and the drive is just ho-hum. Not that it's terrible, but there are $ 40,000 cars from the likes of Chrysler and Hyundai with similar space and power to the MKS EcoBoost, which give the driver more feedback for less coin.

Using a Volvo-derived platform, you know that the MKS is safe. Standard features for the MKS is AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, dual front and side airbags, Safety Canopy system, tire pressure monitoring system, SOS Post-Crash Alert System, LATCH child seat anchors, child safety, passive anti-theft system, MyKey programmable car keys, Securicode keyless-entry keypad system, and Intelligent Access with push button start.

MKS: 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway (FWD), 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway (AWD)

MKS EcoBoost: 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway