2013 Lincoln MKZ
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.
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| 2013 Lincoln MKZ |
Where the 2013 MKZ sets itself apart most from rivals are its suite of driving and safety technologies.
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
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.
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| 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
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.
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| 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.
2013 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost
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)
2012 Lincoln Navigator Summary
2012 Lincoln Navigator Overview
If the world is your ocean, the 2012 Lincoln Navigator is not a bad ship to you on your daily trips to work, shopping, or extensive set of U.S. highways. With a leather-and wood-paneled interior, the Navigator is as luxurious as it is accommodating. And seven-passenger seating and a length that varies between 208 and 223 cm depending on the model, it is very accommodating. Power comes from a 5.4-liter V-8 capable of 310 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque, allowing administrators the ability to draw as much as 9000 pounds when properly equipped. Entering the sixth model year, the current Navigator cases behind its competitors by nearly 100 horsepower in the full-size SUV segment. While Lincoln's words dropped in favor of alphanumeric names in the rest of its lineup, the Navigator as the last of an era where Town Cars, Continentals, and marks the Lincoln lineup ruled. The body-on-frame construction is still common in the luxury off-roader class, but it goes out of style in favor of lighter unibody construction. The Navigator has an impressive list of available technology, but it will not save a growing list of newer, more modern rivals.
2012 Lincoln Navigator The Range
Body style: five-door SUV
Engines: 5.4l V-8
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Models: Lincoln Navigator, Lincoln Navigator L
2012 Lincoln Navigator What's new
The 2012 Navigator will AppLink Sync technology that allows users to program their favorite phone applications in the award winning Sync infotainment system. It will allow drivers to not only speak through a speaker phone, but it must also allow them to check for delays, book reservations, and many other activities to achieve without their hands off the wheel. Also new were the Autumn Red Metallic and Black exterior colors and swirl walnut and olive ash wood trim optional.
2012 Lincoln Navigator Outside
Big, bold and brash, the Lincoln Navigator outside of harkens back to the style of the Lincoln Continental in the 1960s. With a cross-grille and chrome galore, the Navigator was no different than the American. Helping wealthy passengers in and out of the car running boards that automatically deploy when the doors open and climbing back into the body when the doors closed. Perhaps more helpful, however, is the standard power tailgate only a push of a button on the keyfob up or down to.
2012 Lincoln Navigator Interior
Accordance with the retro theme, Lincoln dashboard finished in swaths of satin finish aluminum and wood, which was decorated with Lincoln in the year 1960 in mind. Seats are wide and stuffed with massive center console separating the passengers in the front two rows. The same passengers also enjoy heated leather seats, and rear passengers can enjoy two optional seven-inch monitors integrated into the driver and front passenger headrests. The Navigator has a THX audio system, and power-adjusting pedals are optional.
2012 Lincoln Navigator Performance & Handling
With three tons of mass to move, feel the Navigator up to speed. But once it gets to the intended speed, highway cruising is a breeze, and the ride is smooth. Despite a four-wheel independent suspension, the Navigator is not a sports car when the road gets twisty. The ride is soft, and the great Lincoln is experiencing a large amount of body roll. However, the stability, traction and roll stability control, the treatment is not scary.
2012 Lincoln Navigator Safety
The Navigator helps AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, Traction Control, Safety Canopy curtain airbags for all three rows, tire pressure monitoring, SOS post-crash Safety Alert, dual-stage front and seat-mounted airbags and anti-theft detection and the electronically programmable MyKey to limit speeds and radio settings as standard equipment. Also optional Sync is a system that alerts the police in the event of an accident.
2012 Lincoln Navigator EPA Fuel Economy
Navigator: 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway (2WD), 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway (AWD)
Navigator L: Not rated
Sticker Price: $57,665
L Sport Utility
Sticker Price: $59,830
2012 Lincoln MKX Summary
2012 Lincoln MKX Overview
The 2012 Lincoln MKX is a technology-filled medium luxury utility vehicle based on the Ford Edge platform. With a few new enhancements to the new 2011 model, the 2012 Lincoln MKX objectives established input, such as the Lexus RX. Under the hood is a standard 3.7-liter V-6 and reached a good-but-not-great 26 mpg on the highway on FWD models, and a comfortable and stable ride with a host of safety features, the severity is pronounced with a plethora of acronyms. The inside cabin is like a spaceship, but not with buttons and knobs and levers, but with touch screens and voice command. MyLincoln Touch This feature has proved controversial as some people find it confusing. Cargo space and comfort are good for the class, and the MKX seats five.
2012 Lincoln MKX The Range
Body style: five-passenger, 4-door SUVEngine: 305 hp, 280 Nm, 3.7-liter V-6
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Models: FWD, AWD
2012 Lincoln MKX What's new
The 2011 mid-model refresh had an extensive list of improvements, but there is no need to fix what is not broke, so little has changed for 2012. Visually, new turn signal indicators in side mirrors and four new exterior colors: Crystal Champagne Tri-Coat, Cinnamon Metallic, Mineral Gray Metallic, Dark Blue Pearl Metallic and. At the heart of the factory audio option, a new THX-certified 14-channel audio system is now the powers of the infotainment and tunes.
2012 Lincoln MKX Outside
MKX is a pretty buggy-like crossover dressed in a suit Lincoln fit with lots of chrome. The big chrome grille looks like a mustache set up 18 - or 20-inch chrome wheels. It comes with chrome door handles and chrome exhaust tips, LED taillights, HID headlights, and an available panoramic moonroof.
2012 Lincoln MKX Interior
Lincoln MKX offers heated and cooled leather seats, Lincoln Sync and MyLincoln Touch, Ford voice and touch-screen infotainment system for integrated iPod and Bluetooth using an available 14-speaker THK-certified audio set and Intelligent Access with push button start and Remote Start system. Comfortable and spacious for medium premium ute class, the 2012 Lincoln MKX surrounded by a techno-widgets and touch-screen gadgets, stripped of the familiar buttons and keys of past Lincolns.
2012 Lincoln MKX Performance & Handling
The 305 hp 3.7-liter V6 has enough power for decent performance straight line, reaching 60 mph in just 7.2 seconds, not bad for a car filled with luxury and electronic equipment. The finger-tip shifted six-speed automatic works well for sporty driving, the brakes are firm and respond well, and a firm suspension provides a smooth ride, which clouds the perception of speed. It's not a song writer, but it is not unbearably boring and slow.2012 Lincoln MKX Key Safety
Lincoln MKX is a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and AdvanceTrac with RSC, an electronic stability control, available Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning, BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), and an optional reversing camera. MKX also features a perimeter anti-theft alarm, keyless entry and remote start, SOS post crash alert system, and a tire pressure monitoring system.2012 Lincoln MKX EPA Fuel Economy
FWD: 19 mpg city/26 mpg highwayAWD: 17 mpg city/23 mpg highway
2012 Lincoln MKX Prices
Base Sport Utility
Sticker Price: $39,4152012 Lincoln MKS Summary
2012 Lincoln MKS Overview
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.
2012 Lincoln MKS The Range
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
2012 Lincoln MKS What's new
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.
2012 Lincoln MKS Outside
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.
2012 Lincoln MKS Interior
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.
2012 Lincoln MKS Performance & Handling
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.
2012 Lincoln MKS Key Safety
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.
2012 Lincoln MKS EPA Fuel Economy
MKS: 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway (FWD), 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway (AWD)
MKS EcoBoost: 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway
Sticker Price: $41,500
EcoBoost Sedan
Sticker Price: $48,390
