EMANCIPATION

A NEW TAKE ON THE HOT ROD LINCOLN By Tommy Grafman Very rarely does an SUV or Crossover vehicle excite me, but the 2010 Lincoln MKT is an exception. With a sleek battle cruiser look, luxurious interior and a hot rod engine, this car is armed to the teeth, and ready to take on all comers. When Review Editor Harold Osmer inquired as to whether I would be interested in driving the new Lincoln MKT, I groaned and responded with an “I don’t know”, but when Harold told me “the Lincoln has the new EcoBoost Engine,” I perked up. I knew about the EcoBoost system but had not had a chance to experience it, so this changed everything.

I asked Harold why he wasn’t going to test-drive the Lincoln. He mentioned he had just had shoulder surgery (an injury he got while pitching for the Dodgers, driving NASCAR or Olympic shot-put training ... something like that, I’m not really clear on the details) and he we would not be able to drive. The first thing I noticed about the Lincoln MKT was the sleek line, and the ease with which one could climb in and out of it. I wasn’t so sure about the style, but it grew on me. The MKT shares the Ford Flex platform, which means that even folks of my stature (a staggering 5’4” in height) can slide in and out with a modicum of grace. The Lincoln MKT is a big vehicle at 207.6 inches long, 76 inches wide and a curb weight of almost 5,000 pounds, but it is a manageable size.

Now, this big heavyweight battle cruiser should not be taken lightly on the road. The MKT is armed with a six cylinder 3.5 liter ECOBoost pumping out 355 horsepower (twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve). All this power is felt immediately when your foot is on the pedal. There is no sluggishness—just the immediate response of the MKT when you want it. This car is a wolf in sheep’s wool. The MKT feels agile and extremely responsive—like a car half its size. Driving the MKT is an experience across the board. The front cabin is a perfect blend of technology and luxury. The interior of the MKT is up to Lincoln standards, with soft leather, 12-way power seats including lumbar adjustment and heating and air conditioning right in the seats. Summer driving in Southern California makes A/C seats almost mandatory. One thing the Lincoln MKT did NOT need was the addition of Paddle Shifters’ to the steering wheel. This makes it too busy.

The interior is also appointed with a leather and wood dash, changing ambient lighting, Satellite Radio, Rear view camera, and the Sync system found in the Ford Fusion. This system is voice activated (including Navigation) and can connect with Bluetooth music players and phones. One of the interior highlights is the beautiful Power Panoramic Visa Roof. The rear seat is extremely comfortable with its own A/C control as is the third row (completely foldable). Sonar parking, let the MKT park it… one of the coolest options is the APA (Active Parking Assist). With the size of this car, it’s the best option to have, and should be standard equipment. When you are ready to park the car, just press the APA button and as you drive looking to Parallel Park the MKT will tell you if it can fit into a spot. You stop the car, place it in reverse… and the MKT parks it automatically. Auto steering (do not touch the wheel) right into the spot! This is an amazing experience but your first reaction is to grab the wheel. You have to allow the MKT to do the parking for you.

Food for thought… After driving the MKT around I stopped at a restaurant to grab something to eat. While sitting there, the manager and I started talking about cars. He talked about getting a new SUV. I invited him to take a look at the Lincoln MKT to get an opinion besides my own. He started telling me he loved the outside lines and the complete interior. But his main concern was the ability to accelerate from a stopped position and at higher speeds. When I mentioned the new EcoBoost engine and what it can do, his mouth dropped follow by “I want one”! SUMMARY JUDGMENT: Like a crossover version of the SHO, but considerably more upscale.

SPECIFICATIONS Name of vehicle: 2010 Lincoln MKT Price: $44,200 (base) $49,200 (with EcoBoost and all-wheel drive) $54,590 (as tested) EPA fuel economy rating: 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway Engine: 3.5 liter twin-turbocharged, direct-injected EcoBoost V6 Horsepower: 355 @ 5700 rpm Torque: 350 pound-feet at 3500 rpm Transmission: Six-speed automatic with manumatic shifting mode and paddle shifters Drive configuration: Intelligent all-wheel drive Steering: Electric power Suspension Front: MacPherson strut and rear-facing L-shaped lower control arm and stabilizer bar Rear: Independent multi-link suspension with coil-over shock and stamped steel lower control arm Brakes: Four-wheel ventilated discs, ABS (4 channel) with AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control™) Wheels and tires: Unique 20-in. Polished aluminum. P255/45R20 A/S BSW tires Dimensions Length: 207.6 inches Width: 76 inches Height: 67.4 inches Curb Weight: 4957 pounds