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.

2013 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost - Ford is getting serious about reinventing its floundering luxury brand. For the first time since the 1970s, Lincoln has its own physical space in the Blue Oval corporate offices. To head up that dedicated design studio, the company recently poached a respected designer from Cadillac. And that new hire, Max Wolff, is just one of more than 200 Ford Motor Company employees now devoted to Lincoln.

Just 200 people to design, engineer, and market a lineup of luxury cars? Yes, it's a massively underwhelming number, but consider where the brand was only 18 months ago. Lincoln could claim a staff of just ten people.

These are merely the first steps in a marathon if Ford is genuine about its commitment to recreating a luxury marque. To have Lincoln mentioned in the same breath as Audi, BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz requires more confident styling, stronger differentiation from Ford products, and a clear brand DNA. And because of those same needs, a mid-cycle refresh won't pitch the 2013 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost into the garages of discerning luxury buyers. It does, however, paint a picture of where the brand is headed.

2013 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost

Whereas the outgoing MKS could be described as a soft-riding, well-appointed, reskinned Ford Taurus, the 2013 model sets itself apart with the comfort-increasing, performance-improving technology we've come to expect from luxury cars. It's called Lincoln Drive Control and it offers three driver-selectable modes -- comfort, normal, and sport -- affecting the steering, suspension, throttle, transmission, and active noise control.

The main act in that lineup is the suspension, thanks to the addition of adaptive dampers that allow for greater control of body roll and impact harshness. The difference between comfort and normal is about as significant and noticeable as it gets with adaptive suspensions. Without being sloppy, the MKS in comfort mode soaks up big dips and sharp impacts with large amounts of wheel travel and progressive damping. Switching to sport mode is a less substantial change from the baseline, but tangible nonetheless. Around a hilly, winding route at Ford's Michigan Proving Ground, the MKS managed big, gentle dips and bumps with more stability and recovered quicker than an Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E350. As it should; this is where the car was developed. We're eager to explore the handling on choppier pavement with higher frequency impacts and less wheel travel, where we suspect the usual German sport sedans would have a clear upper hand.

The addition of independent variable valve timing results in an extra 21 hp for the base 3.7-liter V-6, which is now good for a total of 304 hp and 279 lb-ft of torque. Our test, however, was limited to the optional twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6, which now produces 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque, which provides strong low-end grunt and impressive top-end power. A true dual exhaust enriches the soundtrack without being overbearing. Active noise cancellation is in place to mute low-frequency droning, but Lincoln engineers also tapped that hardware to pump up the engine note when in sport mode, supplementing the engine's growl with the stereo speakers as BMW does with the M5.

The all-wheel-drive system now reacts quicker thanks to new software that is now incorporated into the powertrain module. (The outgoing car had a separate computer for the all-wheel-drive programming.) The subtle tug of torque steer and the rare squeak of tire slip that could be extracted from a hard-driven 2012 MKS are now gone. A quicker steering ratio and a rack that is hard-mounted to the subframe sharpen steering responses and invite more spirited driving. The electric assistance is tuned for an even, medium-effort weight that is much more confident than the Mercedes-Benz E350.

A new lane keeping system warns the driver if the vehicle drifts from its lane with an audible alert, a vibration in the steering wheel, and a subtle steering correction. There's also a driver drowsiness alert that detects sluggish steering inputs.

My Lincoln Touch that relies on a central touch screen, steering-wheel controls, voice commands, and two instrument-cluster displays to manage the audio and navigation systems. An update earlier this year makes it more responsive, simpler, and easier on the eyes, but the touch-sensitive volume slider is still extremely fussy. It's the elephant in the room when Lincoln executives tell us the brand won't include "tech for the sake of tech." A traditional knob would do the job better.

The 2013 Lincoln MKS still suffers from uninspired styling and a general feeling of bulk, but Lincoln's adoption of adaptive dampers and attention to driving dynamics has pulled this car out of its apathetic, anonymous funk. In pursuit of true luxury, Lincoln has turned the car around, but it still has a ways to go to catch up with the pack.

Base price: $43,685/$50,675 (FWD/EcoBoost)

Engines: 3.7L V-6, 304 hp, 279 lb-ft; 3.5L twin-turbo V-6, 365 hp, 350 lb-ft

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Drive: Front- or 4-wheel

EPA Mileage: 18/27, 17/25 mpg (FWD, EcoBoost)