2013 Lincoln MKZ shows final form for production

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the 2013 Lincoln MKZ that Ford hopes will turn around the stagnant luxury brand. Based on the FMD concept car that was unveiled in January at the Detroit Auto Show, the production version looks largely unchanged, except for practical concessions as visible door handles and larger exterior mirrors. Whether the new look, described by Lincoln Design Director Max Wolff as "elegant simplicity" will resonate with buyers remains to be seen, but it has the Autoblog team split right in the middle.

We all agree, but the enhanced interior, particularly the shift selector lever button that delivers a smooth, uncluttered center console. The FMD will of course available with SYNC and MyLincoln Touch, which are supplemented by a large 10.1-inch LCD instrument panel and 8-inch touchscreen center. The interior is covered wall to wall in leather, real wood finish and metal accents, and Active Noise Control, which negates insult audibles, is standard equipment. Optional is a unique 15.2 meters Retractable Panoramic roof canopies that takes to the extreme.

2013 Lincoln MKZ

Three engines will be available for FMD at launch. Standard is a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 240 horsepower (on premium fuel) and 270 lb-ft of torque while returning 22 mpg city / 33 mpg highway. More power is available through a 3.7-liter V6 generates 300 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, 18 mpg city / 26 mpg Hwy back. The MKZ Hybrid is also back with a combined output of 188 hp from the 2.0-liter four-cylinder and electric propulsion. EPA estimates are not available for the MKZ Hybrid, but Lincoln says it should remain America's most fuel efficient premium sedan. All-wheel drive is an option for both the non-hybrid models, which also received six-speed automatic transmission and paddle shifters, while the MKZ Hybrid front-wheel-drive only with a CVT.

Where the  2013 Lincoln MKZ  will set itself apart most from rivals are its suite of driving and safety technologies. First up is Lincoln Drive Control, which effectively coordinates every system on the car to continually refine the ride and handling in real time. The most interesting of these systems is the Continually Controlled Damping suspension system, which offers normal, comfort and sport modes and activately adjusts the dampers up to 50 times per second.

As for safety, the  2013 Lincoln MKZ may set a new benchmark for the number of sensors onboard. There's a mono-vision camera integrated into the rearview mirror to read lane markers on the road, radar sensors for the adaptive cruise control and active Collision Warning with Brake Support, and more short-range wide-angle radar sensors for help with parking and backing up. The MKZ will also class-exclusive inflatable second-row seatbelts that compliment the eight airbags located elsewhere around the vehicle.

We're very eager to see the  2013 Lincoln MKZ  in person at the 2012 New York Auto Show this week, so until we can bring you our own in-person live shots, take a look at the gallery above and scroll down for Lincoln's official press release. 

2013 Lincoln MKS and Lincoln MKT First Look - Lincoln has unveiled a thorough renovation of the two major models of cars, the 2013 Lincoln MKT crossover and 2013 Lincoln MKS sedan at the 2011 LA Auto Show. The new Lincoln grille serves as a showcase of the design direction of the brand forward, while improvements in the suspension, powertrain, and interior refinement and overall purpose of the performance.

Both MKS and MKT feature a new front with a new grille design, with all the external surface of the A-pillar forward that new on the 2013 Lincoln MKS sedan. The MKS also has new LED taillights and a new decklid design to help improve access trunk. New 19 - and 20-inch wheels for the MKS complete the exterior changes.

2013 Lincoln MKS

The headlining technical function for both the MKS and MKT for 2013 is the introduction of Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD). The feature is standard on all models and standard on the MKS MKT models equipped with the optional 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine. CCD makes use of 46 inputs the input of an electronic control unit which constantly monitors 23,000 packets of information per second. From this input, the system calculates the optimum damping to 500 times per second. Actual mechanical adjustment of the damping take place between 20 to 50 times per second, depending on the circumstances.

The rapid response, Lincoln claims the system can essentially preventive action, recognizing when the vehicle is about to encounter a pit, and turn damper control many wheels and tires to avoid crash, resulting in a less shocking event . The system also uses the input of the front wheels accordingly rear damping. Lincoln claims CCD helps reduce body roll by 20 percent and understeer by about 25 percent, resulting in a tighter, more responsive ride.

CCD is also an important enabling technology for the other major change in the two models, called Lincoln Drive Control. The system has three settings: Normal, Comfort and Sport. The Normal (default) mode balance comfort with optimum control and treatment for daily driving experience.

Sport mode brings the dampers, recalibrate the electric power steering, gas response adjusts, changes shift points to higher speed and holds gears longer in the turns and locks the sixth gear. In addition, traction and stability control settings changed to allow for more spirited driving.

On the other side of the floating spectrum, the Comfort mode adjusts the valves 10 to 15 percent softer than normal, and reduces steering force.

Also new for 2013 is the Lane Keeping System. Activated by the driver, the system uses a forward facing camera mounted behind the rearview mirror to look for job markers. When the system determines the vehicle is straying from its orbit, a vibration is transmitted through the steering wheel to warn the driver. Lane Keeping Aid, another component of the system, adds gently torque on the steering wheel of the vehicle in order to push back in the middle of the job as it detects the vehicle is too close to the edge of the web. Sensitivity settings are adjusted by the driver via the MyLincoln Touch user interface.

The 3.5 liter turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 carries over unchanged, but the standard 3.7-liter naturally aspirated V-6 gets a power boost to 300 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque for both models up to 32 hp and MKT 27 for the MKS, with the addition of two independent variable camshaft timing. The highway fuel economy rating for the 3.7-liter engine is also improved by 3 mpg on the MKS and 1 mpg on the MKT.

Most interesting for the fans, the brakes on the 2013 MKS and MKT grow by more than an inch in front and more than half an inch at the rear, to 13.86 inches for, 13.58 inches behind. Rear discs are now disposed in place of solid discs, and the front discs are ventilated with a unique "hat", a feature usually found in exotic two-piece high-performance brake system. Finally, the steering ratio of 17.1:1 to 15:1 speed for greater responsiveness. Previously standard only on EcoBoost models, electric power assist steering is now standard on all models, regardless of the engine.

The Sync system, which recently has become a distinctive feature of newer Ford and Lincoln models, gives an improved voice-interface powered by Nuance. Larger, bolder fonts, and a simplified screen design to make use of the interface easier to read. Sync also allows the interior of the vehicle with a WiFi hotspot as linked to a data-enabled mobile device.

A new option for both the MKS and MKT in 2013 is a heated steering wheel. The MKS features new interior forests, Prussian and Brown Swirl Walnut Burl, and two new leather colors, hazelnuts and Light Dune. Both models include vegetable tanned Bridge of Weir leather from Scotland.

Both models will be on sale in dealerships in spring 2012.