BENCHMARKING
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Mon, Oct 13, 2008
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
© All photos by Harvey Schwartz
BENCHMARKING
Finally, Lincoln has come to market with a world-class, mid-luxury sedan that is
competitive in all the right categories. This is the first Lincoln in a very
long time that hits all the right notes, but is it enough music to sway luxury
buyers away from Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi? Only time will tell but
it is a very good start from a brand known for luxury.
Lincoln designers and engineers knew that they had to produce a car that has
eye-catching appeal and an interior with high levels of comfort, luxury, and the
latest high-tech features and conveniences. On these categories, Lincoln has
come through. Unfortunately, power and performance are still lacking against the
competition but that should be taken care of in next year's model, which I will
talk about later in this review.
The most striking exterior design feature is the double-wing grille, inspired by
the 1941 Lincoln Continental. The grille sweeps up into the jewel-like HID
headlamps to form a single graphic element that further accentuates the facia. A
bright chrome Lincoln star rests prominently between the wings. Key design cues
include the sculpted hood and fast-raked windshield, which forms a sleek
roofline. The broad-shouldered Lincoln MKS also features a beltline that kicks
up slightly over the rear wheels, another modern tribute to classic Lincoln
design. Below the grille are horizontal slats that increase airflow into the
engine. Just below these is a black spoiler, and a deep wide black strip that
travels all around the sides to the rear. Underneath each door is a beautiful
aluminum strip while each front fender wears a Lincoln star fronting heat
extracting mesh to remove excess heat buildup from the engine.
Elegant details include a polished stainless steel side window surround that
finishes with a wide flourish at the front end of the C-pillar-accentuating the
tapered cantrail of the cantilevered roof. Stainless steel strips also run the
length of the car, framing the available twin-panel moon roof and flowing into
the tall decklid.
In the rear are beautifully detailed LED tail lamps that are accented by a
vertical white light strip that runs along the edge of the decklid, and a
horizontal chrome strip is inset with a Lincoln star. A rear decklid lip helps
with increasing downforce at high speeds. Just below the bumper are two, 3in
wide, polished stainless steel exhaust tips.
From the front, side and rear, this is the best looking Lincoln to come down the
road in a long time. Elegant and unique, the styling turns heads, and can hold
its own against any luxury sedan on the market.
Inside, the meticulously detailed MKS delivers a precision-crafted environment
resplendent in hand-wrapped premium leather, real wood and metal accents. The
instrument panel flows horizontally from door to door, its top portion is
hand-wrapped in durable, eco-friendly leatherette with double-stitching. With
all the leather surfaces Lincoln went further by using thicker, 30-weight
thread, seven-stitches per inch, all double-stitched. The instrument panel is
divided into upper and lower portions by a strip of sculpted wood highlighted by
a line of chrome. Trimmed at the top in real wood, the power
tilting/telescoping, leather-wrapped, steering wheel frames an elegant
instrument cluster with gauges circled with delicate chrome rings.
Details of the interior are also accented in sculpted aluminum. The inside of
each door is trimmed in leather with a matching chrome strip. I would have liked
to have seen a long, wide strip of matching wood in the middle of the door to
add to the interior elegance. Elegant and flowing surfaces create the feeling
that the interior has been sculpted, rather than constructed. The flow-through
center stack is topped with an integrated information screen that also serves as
the screen for the optional navigation system.
Customers can choose from three distinct interior options, all set off by
Lincoln's signature cool white lighting. A philosophy of 'guilt-free luxury'
means MKS uses materials and processes that reflect the finer things in life but
not at the expense of the world around us. This includes the leather for the
seats by Bridge of Weir, the same Scottish company that supplied hides for the
iconic Continental Mark II. Chosen for its high quality and its organic,
chromium-free tanning, this is the softest leather I have ever felt in a
Lincoln. Ebony wood, used for some models, reclaimed from furniture makers and
other sources offers a beautiful and rare wood with minimal environmental
impact. My test MKS came with dark burl wood trim.
The MKS offers best-in-class interior volume of 105.9cu.ft. and best-in-class
luggage space of 18.4cu.ft., nearly four-times larger than some competitors.
There is only one problem I encountered with the trunk, which is truly spacious,
it didn't have a power-opening option, and it had no handle or indentation to
safely close the lid. I am looking forward to seeing that standard luxury
feature in next year's edition.
New Lincoln front bucket seats are very comfortable, were developed first for
the MKS, and feature side bolster support designed for spirited driving fun. The
standard heated and cooled, 12-way power driver and front passenger seats offer
four-way lumbar (up, down, inboard and outboard) for added comfort on long
trips. Rear seat passengers also enjoy a luxury that begins as they enter the
cabin via the largest rear-door openings in its class, and offers
segment-exclusive standard heated rear seats.
Recessed into the front and rear door openings, cleverly-designed hidden rocker
panels allow for a lower step-over height, making it easier to enter or exit the
vehicle. This design shields the rockers from the elements, reducing the chances
of soiling shoes or pants when entering or exiting the car. Also, above each
passenger door is a grab handle to further enhance ease of entry and exit.
The all-new MKS offers the largest selection of comfort and convenience
technology features of any mid-level luxury car in its class, including:
Adaptive Cruise Control; Intelligent Access with push button start; Securi-Code
Keyless Entry which is a next-generation keypad that should be familiar with
Lincoln owners as the new system is now flush-mounted to the car's driver-side
B-pillar, using technology similar to that found on the MP3 music players to
create heat-sensitive, backlit numerals that become visible once they're
touched; Adaptive Headlamps with standard HID lamps; Auto High Beams that
automatically switch to high beam intensity when no other vehicles are in range
and automatically revert to low beam intensity when they detect other vehicle
lights: Rain-Sensing Wipers uses an advanced optical sensing system to detect
how hard rain or snow is falling and determine when to activate windshield
wipers and how fast to run the wiper motor.
The Forward Sensing System uses four hidden sensors mounted in the front fascia
and audible beeps to help drivers determine how close they are to objects in
front of the car when parking; the Rearview Camera System works in conjunction
with the vehicle's reverse sensing system and uses the navigation screen as a
display; Easy Fuel Capless Fuel-Filler System is an industry-exclusive feature
that provides owners hassle-free, odor-free and more-consistent seal than a
manual fuel cap. When fueling is completed and the nozzle is removed, the system
automatically seas shut.
The system also has an invisible benefit, too-fewer evaporative emissions; SYNC
is standard on an array of 2009 Lincoln vehicles. This award-winning,
industry-exclusive, voice-activated hands-free communications and entertainment
system developed by Ford and Microscoft, fully integrates most Bluetooth-enabled
mobile phones and digital media players into the car; Voice-Activated Navigation
System with SIRIUS Travel Link offers a host of convenient features including
more than 150-hours of music storage. Users can browse the music juke box via
touch-screen or by using voice recognition. The system also integrates the
climate control and SIRIUS satellite radio into easy-to-use, smudge-resistant,
8-in. touch-screen display.
Users can even upload personal pictures from CD to be displayed on the system's
home screen. SIRIUS Travel Link provides users access to up-to-the-minute
information including real-time gas prices at the closest stations as well as
movie listings and sports scores through the vehicle's navigation system; THX II
Certified 5.1 Surround Sound Audio System delivers true 5.1 surround sound from
DVD movies and DVD-Audio music. A 12-channel, 600-watt 'smart amp' delivers
digital sound to the system's 16-specially-placed speakers, including 10in. and
8in. subwoofers. The precision-tuned system sues state-of-the-art digital
technology to turn the cabin into a theater or concert hall.
The new MKS sedan offers exceptional quietness and comfort. The body structure
of the MKS was optimized for strength and stiffness using high-strength steel,
6-millemeter-thick laminated windshield and side glass, sound-absorbing
carpeting and acoustic headliner, and tire and bushing development focused on
further tuning out low-frequency road noise and vibration. The high-end sound
package centers on a new technology that a first for Lincoln and the MKS-an
injection-molded rubber dash panel that runs from the floor, just under the
carpet, up to the top of the dash and back over the cowl to block unwanted wind
or powertrain noise. The same technology is used inside rear wheel wells.
Standard equipment not mentioned above includes rear window defroster, power
locks, remote keyless entry with trunk release, two-person memory for the seats,
steering wheel, outside mirrors, power steering, tire pressure monitoring
system, power, one-touch/up and down windows all around, fog lamps, manual fold,
power adjustable/heated/self-dimming, side mirrors, 18in. bright, machined
aluminum wheels, premium AM/FM in-dash 6-CD/MP3/Clock and 6-speakers, dual-zone
automatic climate control, front center armrest with two separate leather tops
that each move fore and aft 6in. with storage bin/dual cup-holders and storage
with sliding security covers, overhead console with map lights and sunglass
storage, rear reading lamps, thick-cut pile carpeting, front/rear floor mats,
3-12-volt power plugs, illuminated door and steering wheel switches, courtesy
lamps, auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, rear fixed pass-through with
pull-down armrest and two cupholders, leather-wrapped shifter, universal garage
door opener, and visors with illuminated mirrors.
Key options include all-wheel-drive, 19-inch premium painted aluminum wheels,
20-inch polished aluminum wheels, SIRIUS satellite radio, THX II Certified sound
system, voice activated DVD navigation system, rear-view camera, adaptive cruise
control, dual panel power moonroof, all-weather floor mats, power rear sunshade,
and Power-Code remote start. This is quite a list of standard and optional
features befitting the best mid-luxury sedan in the segment.
Under the skin, the new MKS offers exceptional quietness and comfort and a
confident driving experience, providing intuitive feedback to drivers along with
a secure feeling behind the wheel. The car puts you in command. Its chassis
provides isolation from road noise and harshness but doesn't isolate you from
the road. Steering is precise and responsive, requiring little input from the
cockpit. The beefy, 4-spoke steering wheel feels perfect in your hands with the
perfect reach and angle that the power tilt/telescope features.
The MKS comes with a new, fully independent, multi-link rear suspension that has
been designed and tuned to deliver a perfect balance of performance, handling
and comfort. A unique design places vertically mounted, coil-over shocks at the
outboard end of the suspension arms, near the wheels. This configuration
increases the motion ratio of the suspension allowing for more precise tuning
while also facilitating the larger wheels and tires that are desired by today's
luxury customers. This setup significantly increases the efficiency of the
shocks, allowing Lincoln to tune the suspension more finely across a wider range
of attributes and deliver the optimum in both handling and ride comfort.
The MacPherson strut and rear-facing L-shaped lower control arm front suspension
was designed to maximize suspension travel and tuned to work in harmony with the
rear suspension. It attaches to the body with a subframe to minimize noise,
vibration and harshness. When I lifted the hood to photograph the engine it was
good to see that Lincoln engineers mounted a strut tower brace to enhance front
suspension performance.
Together, the new front and rear suspension design can accommodate available,
class-exclusive 20in. wheels and tires without compromising ride comfort.
When behind the wheel in the city and on the open road, I found that this blend
of performance and comfort performed well at damping when traveling over poorly
paved city streets, and remained flat when cornering. On the open road at speed,
the feel was rock solid with no drift or direction disturbance when traversing
over different road surfaces.
The MKS is powered by a new 3.7 liter DOHC, VVT, all-aluminum V6 engine. It
pumps out a healthy 273hp and 270lb.ft. of torque, and doesn't require premium
fuel. The engine is tuned to maximize the increased torque band and improve
performance where you need it most, in standing acceleration and when passing.
While the V6 performed well at slow or high speeds, it took to long to get
there. The MKS weighs 5,250lbs. for the front-wheel-drive system and 5,400lbs.
for the AWD model. What it needs now is more power-a minimum of 300hp for the
FWD, and 400hp for the AWD model. These figures are industry standards found in
the competition. Right now Ford is developing their Hurricane twin-turbo-charged
V6 engine and it should be ready for next year's edition. I hope so because it
should boost sales of the MKS.
This car looks great like it was taken from a solid piece of metal. It is very
contemporary in styling, and is geared to sell to younger buyers from M-B, BMW
and Audi owners.
All of the styling and interior amenities mean nothing if not backed up with
more power for crisper and quicker acceleration and passing power.
The V6 engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Select-Shift
that delivers smoother shifts, better fuel economy and acceleration as well as
enhanced performance feel. Select-Shift, making its Lincoln debut in the MKS,
allows you to select gears manually when desired.
The all-wheel-drive system provides for a more confident driving experience in
all weather conditions. The unit uses a sophisticated system of clutches to
quickly distribute torque between front and rear wheels-up to 100 percent in
either direction-as needed, to avoid wheel slip. All models come with standard
traction control and electronic stability control to enhance your control during
severe maneuvers.
Quickly slowing the MKS down from speed are large, four-wheel disc brakes with
ABS, and Brake Force Distribution for correct braking bias during emergency
braking.
Up front are 12.25in. vented discs clamped with dual-piston aluminum calipers,
and 12.75in. solid discs clamped with single-piston aluminum calipers.
Driver and passenger safety is of the utmost importance at Lincoln and they come
through with industry standard and new technologies. Using computer-aided
engineering, engineers and designers have developed the MKS for optimal
strength, stiffness and superb crashworthiness. Its energy-absorbing front
structure-with octagonal front frame rails, tunnel rails and 'shotgun' front
structural members-is designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the
passenger compartment. The MKS also features the class-exclusive Side Protection
and Cabin Enhancement Architecture designed to optimize side impact protection.
The body structure features ultra high-strength boron steel in the B-pillar for
added protection in a side impact and improve roof strength. The side impact
door beams also have been configured to provide optimal protection. Standard
safety features include dual-stage driver and front-passenger airbags,
seat-mounted side airbags, safety belt pretensioners and load-limiting
retractors and driver seat positioning sensor. Other key safety features include
adaptive collapsible steering column, safety canopy for front/rear outboard
passengers, Advance Trac stability control system that sensors yaw, the
vehicle's speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle and selectively
applies individual brakes to help correct skids.
Like I said before, the all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS is the best luxury sedan that
Lincoln has produced in a very long time. It has great, eye-appealing looks, a
very comfortable, luxury equipped cabin, but needs more power to run
successfully with the competition. I hope that next year the MKS will come with
the optional 400 horsepower Hurricane V6 engine. Prices for the base
front-wheel-drive MKS starts at $38,465.00 and $40,355.00 for the base AWD
model.
SUMMARY JUDGMENT
This Lincoln MKS successfully hits multiple marks: Great eye appeal, sportiness,
comfort, and better economy than what you'd expect from a luxury car.
© Words and pictures by Harvey Schwartz
For more information about Lincoln products, go to
www.lincoln.com
More photos from Harvey Schwartz can be found at www.autofotos.com
SPECIFICATONS
Name of vehicle:
2009 Lincoln MKS
Price:
$38,465.00 to $40,355.00
EPA mileage specs:
FWD - 17mpg/city, 24mpg/highway
AWD - 16mpg/city, 23mpg/highway
Engine:
3.7 liter DOHC, all-aluminum VVT V6
Horsepower:
273 at 6,250 rpm
Torque:
270lb.ft. at 4,250 rpm
Drive configuration:
Front engine/Front-Wheel-Drive
All-Wheel-Drive (optional)
Transmission:
6-speed automatic with sequential shifting
Front suspension:
Independent, MacPherson strut and rear-facing L-shaped lower control arms with
isolated subframe, 26mm stabilizer bar, strut tower brace
Rear suspension:
Independent, multi-links, coil-over shocks, stamped steel lower control arms,
cast upper control arms, stabilizer bar
Wheels/tires:
18X8 standard/19X8 and 20X8 optional/235/55R18 standard/255/45R19 and 24545R20
optional
Brakes:
Front: 12.25in.vented discs, dual-piston calipers
Rear: 12.75in. vented discs, single-piston calipers
ABS, BA, Traction Control, Electronic Stability Control
Total length:
204.1 inches
Overall width:
75.9 inches
Overall height:
61.6 inches
Curb weight:
FWD - 5,250 pounds
AWD - 5,400 pounds