Lincoln Shakeups Continue as Ford Lays Down the Law for its Luxury Brand

After rejuvenating Ford and euthanizing Mercury, FoMoCo is finally ready to take its top-tier brand seriously. This means it will set standards for Lincoln by taking cues from true premium marques.
Ford recently spoke with its remaining 1,100 Lincoln dealers and spelled out a plan - or provided them with an ultimatum - that will hopefully please and attract customers while allowing for time to re-characterize and rebuild the ailing luxury brand. If these requests aren't met by October 1st, Ford just won't think dealers are committed enough to continue selling Lincolns.

Some of these "strongly recommended" premium touches include a loaner car should a customer need to leave their car at the shop, as well as a car wash (both free of charge). Dealers will also have to erase all evidence of Mercury and, if they are paired with Ford lots, have their own unique service managers and staff so as not to contaminate the pool.
Ford also wants Lincoln dealers to have 30% or more of their pre-owned inventory be certified vehicles. To make matters worse, Ford announced that over 100 more dealer spots will be gone this year in order to drive sales in the direction of dealers who have earned the right to survive.
Naturally, Lincoln dealers aren't exactly thrilled with the concept of spending extra cash while not having any hot new product. However, if people are patient, things might just end up well; with Cadillac's former exterior design chief Max Wolff at the helm, Lincoln could finally get away from its toothy, Ford-derived designs and give Cadillac a run for its money.

Lincoln Presents MKT Town Car and Limousine Editions to Replace Panther-Based Town Car

For the past 30 years, Lincoln's panther platform-based Town Car has offered its services to a great number of limousine and chauffer operators throughout the country and abroad, but production of the current model will finally come to an end this fall leaving a gap in the company's range.
But FoMoCo isn't about to let go of this financially prosperous niche segment. At the 2011 International LCT (Limousine, Charter, and Tour) show in Las Vegas, Lincoln unveiled the car's successors in the form of the chauffeur-dedicated and MKT-based Town Car Livery and Limousine editions.

“Livery operators are looking for a leading livery solution that is reliable and stylish, and the new Lincoln livery and limousine solutions fit the bill in every capacity,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “The new MKT Town Car will be the best available in the livery industry, working off a solid base as the perfect way to achieve the versatility needed for executive transportation or a night out on the town.”
The company said that the Lincoln MKT Town Car Livery version uses a standard MKT chassis and is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, while the heavy-duty Limousine chassis will feature standard all-wheel drive for stretched wheelbase limousine conversion of up to an additional 120 inches (10 feet).
Notable changes on the MKT Town Car Livery include the redesigned rear seating that been moved rearward by 1.5 inches for additional legroom and improved comfort, while there's also a switch on the rear passenger side door that allows a rear seat passenger to control the front passenger seat ahead. Key features include a USB charging port, a 110-volt power socket in the rear seat center console, and Wi-Fi hotspot capability for mobile tablets, laptops and other devices.
Lincoln said that the MKT Town Car Limousine chassis incorporates several heavy-duty components, such as upgraded suspension, electric power-assisted steering system (EPAS) and transmission, plus unique wheels, tires and wheel bearings and an upsized brake system. The Limousine also has the standard MKT's third seating row removed, and comes equipped with a full-size spare tire.
Both variants of the MKT Town Car will be manufactured at Oakville Assembly Complex with production set to begin next spring.

2011 Lincoln Luxury Sports Sedan MKZ Hybrid

NEW YORK, March 31, 2010 – Lincoln today introduces its first hybrid – the new 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid – a premium midsize car poised to be the most fuel-efficient luxury sports sedan in America.

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

“Today’s luxury customers do not want to make sacrifices. Lincoln has found a way to deliver a luxury sports sedan with the comforts they expect, the technology they want and the environmental responsibility society demands,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford Group Vice President, Global Product Development.

Ford’s latest hybrid sports sedan, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ has finally lifted off its covers at the New York Auto Show. Using its second generation of hybrid technology, the company aims to ‘further broaden its aggressive electrification plan.’ From the Department at Ford Motor Company comes the new hybrid version of the Lincoln MKZ. The MKZ hybrid is fitted with the same gasoline-electric system found in the hybrid versions of its corporate twins, the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan.

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid powertrain combines a 156-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine and 106-hp electric motor for a total system output of 191 hp; it’s rated for 41 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway in the Fusion and Milan variants. Ford cited its hybrid as “the most fuel-efficient luxury sports sedan in America” as it returns 41  miles per gallon of average fuel consumption.

In pure electric mode, the MKZ Hybrid can reach 47 mph. While we have yet to match those numbers (the Milan hybrid we tested returned 32 mpg combined), Ford says it expects similar EPA ratings for this MKZ. The company goes on to name the car’s Public Enemy No. 1, the Lexus HS250h, and says that the MKZ will offer the best fuel economy of any luxury sports sedan.

Lincoln's first-ever hybrid model is expected to deliver at least 41mpg (5.7 lt/100km) in the city and reach speeds of up to 47 mph (75 km/h) in pure electric mode.

Lincoln’s take on the Ford hybrid theme, of course, will be much better equipped than either of its less-expensive brethren. It will include swiveling HID headlamps, cushy heated and cooled leather seats, and, of course, a slightly snazzier version of the nifty, configurable EcoGuide instrument cluster. In the Milan and Fusion hybrids, a screen-based botanical garden grows leaves and vines as a reward for fuel-efficient driving; the Lincoln adds pretty flowers!

The loads of standard features in the hybrid include, SmartGauge with EcoGuide, Lincoln SYNC, 10-Way Power Passenger Seat, Genuine Wood Trim, Reverse Sensing System, Keyless Entry Keypad, Easy Fuel Capless Fuel-Filler, Personal Safety System, MyKey, Integrated Spotter Mirrors, Acoustic Laminated Windshield and standard Bridge of Weir leather seats.

Other standard goodies include Sync voice-activated controls; sustainable wood trim for the dash, doors, and steering wheel; and reverse and cross-traffic sensors. Pricing has not yet been announced, but we speculate it will cost around $38,000 to start. Sales will begin later this year.

Lincoln Continental 460 V8 - Classic Car

Lincoln Continental 460 V8 - Classic Car

For the past few months Best of Show has been expanding our collection of ''60s muscle luxury specializing in Cadillacs and Lincolns from an era where they were the ONLY way to travel if you were a high roller. Sinatra had a 4-door Continental like this one and used it to cruise through Vegas and Hollywood. Today they are great drivers that still carry a ton of cachet and are quickly gaining momentum among collectors as worthwhile investments. If triple black is just too formal for you take a good long look at this 29000 original mile 2-owner Arizona Continental in Turquoise over a white leather interior. It''s tight clean well-sorted and ready to cruise the strip today. If Sinatra''s Continental was triple black I bet Sammy Davis Jr. had one exactly like this. Yes it has been repainted recently. Having lived the first 39 years of its life in Arizona the sun eventually took its toll on the admittedly primitive paint technology Lincoln used in ''69. Today it has a fresh coat of 2-stage urethane that will stand up to anything Mother Nature can throw at it and looks about 10 times better doing it. Glossy deep with just a hint of metallic it''s an eye-catching hue that makes this big car look trim and fit. I''m not seeing any signs of major surgery on any of the original body panels and as an Arizona car you know rust just isn''t a factor. Trim and other bright pieces are excellent and the bumper guards have just returned from the chrome shop where they were refinished like new to match the excellent original bumpers. Those long wide taillights are in excellent condition as are the unique reverse lights above each bumper end and the unique Continental trim along the tops of the fenders is in beautiful shape. The white vinyl top is new and positively sparkles in the sunlight the perfect complement to the turquoise paint. Given the overall condition I have to say that living out west definitely helped preserve this gorgeous car. Mechanically this is a 29000 mile car low enough to be well-preserved but enough exercise to keep it healthy. I know a lot of guys get excited about 40-year-old cars with 250 miles but cars like that often need substantial mechanical reconditioning to put them back into service. Not so with cars with what I call realistically low mileage (as opposed to ''crazy'' low mileage). Cars like this Lincoln have been well maintained driven regularly but not often and are usually someone''s fair weather toy. That means that the mechanicals stay in tip-top condition and highly original throughout. Our own VP of Consignments GK Kerr who is also our resident expert on these cars and who has extensive experience owning and driving 4-door Continentals reports that this turquoise Connie is the tightest quietest most solid one he''s ever driven and I believe him (he''s also honest to a fault so if it didn''t drive perfectly he wouldn''t have said as much). The engine bay is original and clean and shows that it has been maintained since day one. Tip that big hood forward and you''ll find a 460 cubic inch big block Ford V8 nestled between the fenders still radiant in its original Ford Blue paint and Powered by Ford valve covers. The air cleaner decal is still clinging to the lid for all it''s worth and even the emission control decals are still in place. Standard service items have obviously been replaced which means that this car is 100% road worthy and ready to travel cross country. Easy western living means that all the fittings are unblemished there''s no corrosion on the connectors and wires and even the firewall is incredibly clean. Turn the key and it fires up breathing through what appears to be its original dual exhaust system emitting a muscular exhaust note that is completely unobtrusive on the road but doesn''t let you forget that there are 365 horses under the hood. The chassis is like the engine compartment: serviceable and clean but not specifically detailed for show. As I mentioned I''m pretty sure that exhaust system is original and it is still usable and sounds great. The 3-speed transmission clicks through the gears unobtrusively and everything is quiet and smooth. Floors are clean with no signs of tinworm or rust again a credit to the warm western climate in which it was stored. I''m also going to go out on a limb and suggest that the shock absorbers are original too but I bet the brakes have been serviced-they work exceptionally well. Tires are recent 235/75/15 whitewall radials on the original 15-inch steel wheels with cool-looking turbine-style hubcaps which I like a lot more than the plain wheelcovers on our black 4-door Connie. The leather interior is a real treat and white was probably a smart choice out west where a sun-heated black interior would easily defeat the air conditioner in a fair fight. I believe the seats have been restored with new seat covers and the headliner has been replaced but everything else is in excellent original condition. Door panels are decent although the driver''s side is showing some signs of age (but after 41 years who wouldn''t?). The dashboard is excellent and all the gauges and equipment are fully functional. The A/C is ice cold the power antenna goes up and down and this car even has power vent windows. An FM converter has been added under the dash augmenting the factory AM radio. If this were my car I probably wouldn''t change a thing-it''s perfect for driving and enjoying as-is. The icing on this turquoise cake is the original window sticker which lists cool options like a high torque axle individually adjustable seats tilt steering wheel and power door locks. We also have the original build sheet which is an incredibly rare find on a car like this. If previous sales are evidence I think we are seeing the emergence of a new trend. As muscle car values escalate collectors are looking around at other vehicles from their past.

Lincoln MKZ, 2010

Lincoln MKZ, 2010

The new 2010 Lincoln MKZ mid-size sedan was designed for customers who have come to equate Lincoln with elegant, modern design, unparalleled comfort, unrivaled features and top quality.

New for 2010, the Lincoln MKZ features a new sport version with special sport suspension tuning with stiffer springs and larger stabilizer bars, 18-inch Euroflange polished wheels, darkened grille and headlamps, and an interior with contrasting piping and unique appliqués.

The new Lincoln MKZ also offers segment-exclusive features, including first-in-class Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA), which makes navigating traffic and parking lots safer and easier.

BLIS tracks vehicles in the blind-spot zones on either side of the vehicle using two multiple-beam radar modules behind the rear fenders. Indicator lights in the outside rear-view mirror on both sides of the vehicle warn the driver when a vehicle enters the defined blind-spot zone, extending from the side mirror to 10 feet behind the vehicle and 10 feet away from the vehicle.

CTA uses the BLIS radar sensors to alert the driver of approaching traffic while in reverse and backing out of a parking spot. The CTA tracks up to 65 feet on either side of the vehicle and warns the driver through both audible and visual alerts.

In addition to this new technology for mid-size sedans, Lincoln MKZ offers SYNC, Next-Generation Voice-Activated Navigation, keyless entry, EasyFuel capless fuel filler, THX-branded audio and adaptive HID headlamps.

The new MKZ also features Lincoln signature design elements, including the split-wing grille and thinner wraparound head lamps for a wider, sportier look. Its chamfered front fascia also shares a family resemblance with the Lincoln MKS, with a sculpted hood and ridges flowing into the A-pillar. In the rear, the Lincoln MKZ features a new decklid with wider LED taillamps accentuating the width of the car and separated by the Lincoln star.

The Lincoln MKZ's presence is enhanced by 17-inch aluminum wheels, available 17-inch chrome wheels, and available 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, which are included in the Sport Appearance Package with sport-tuned suspension.

Inside,
MKZ's cabin reflects an even more upscale look featuring genuine aluminum and wood depending on the trim package, an all-new instrument panel, detailed touches including new welcome lighting, chimes, tuxedo stitching on luxury leather seats and Bridge of Weir leather.

The world-renowned luxury leather from Scotland, pioneered on the classic Lincoln Continental Mark II and used on the MKS, wraps the MKZ seats. The Lincoln MKZ leather is unembossed, allowing the natural beauty and character of the grain to shine through.
The leather is milled for up to 12 hours to ensure a buttery soft hand, and Bridge of Weir uses a chromium-free tanning process, which makes it easier to recycle.

Additions or improvements to the 2010 Lincoln MKZ interior :
* Armrest clamshell storage
* New daytime lit and 3-dimensional instrument cluster layout with center speedometer
* New door trim with 360-degree door handles
* Redesigned center stack with high-mounted, Next-Generation Navigation system
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel with real wood insert
* Interior schemes include Dark Charcoal or Steel Gray with Swirl Walnut accents, or Light Camel with Olive Ash wood accents

Technology and information at your fingertips
The new Lincoln MKZ is more than just a pretty face and striking new interior. New technology features help Lincoln's new mid-size sedan stand out, too. They include:

* SYNC: The voice-activated hands-free in-car communication and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft. The system fully integrates most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players, providing customers hands-free cell phone and music selection capabilities - plus new 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report provided with no monthly fees.
o 911 Assist: When a phone is properly paired, turned on and connected to SYNC, the system is ready to assist in placing a call directly to a local 911 emergency operator in the event of an air bag-deploying accident. The key advantage of SYNC 911 Assist is speed, as calls are placed directly to local 911 operators.
o Vehicle Health Report (VHR): SYNC gathers relevant information from the major vehicle control modules and packages diagnostic data into a usable format in a matter of minutes. That data packet is sent to Ford via an 800-number automatically dialed using the customer's paired and operable mobile phone.
* Voice-Activated Navigation, which integrates several functions including voice recognition destination entry, climate control and SIRIUS satellite radio into one easy-to-use system, displaying them on an 8-inch touch-screen display. The navigation system's text-to-speech function calls out street names while in route to a destination and reads incoming text messages when the system is linked to SYNC. The integrated DVD player is capable of reading CD-Audio, MP3 CDs, DVD, DVD-Audio and DVD-ROM (for digital map updates). A music jukebox function stores more than 150 hours of music. The screen even can be customized with personal photos.
* SIRIUS Travel Link, an industry-leading technology that, when combined with the voice-activated navigation system will provide users with real-time traffic data with accident and incident information, coast-to-coast weather data including current conditions and five-day forecasts, and fuel price information for over 120,000 gas stations.
* Travel Link also offers sports scores and schedules and a listing of more than 4,500 movie theaters with movie times, theater addresses, movie synopses and more.
* Reverse Camera System mounts a small camera on the decklid that is activated when the Lincoln MKZ is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a clear view behind the vehicle.
* The video image is displayed in the navigation screen on Lincoln MKZs equipped with that option or in the self-dimming rearview mirror on vehicles without navigation.
* Ambient Lighting System is displayed around the footwells, cup holders, door map pockets, door release handles, door and instrument accents and scuff plates - plus special "Welcome" and "Farewell" sequential lighting.
* THX II Premium Certified Audio System with 5.1 Surround Sound, which is provided by a 12-channel amplifier that delivers 600 watts to 14 strategically placed speakers, including two subwoofers. A center channel speaker array features THX Slot Speaker™ technology, which allows for a wider sound image and better control of how music is distributed throughout the vehicle's acoustically engineered cabin. In addition, the system features a 10 GB hard drive jukebox, allowing Lincoln owners to store up to 2,400 of their favorite music tracks.

Other features for the 2010 Lincoln MKZ :
* Rain-sensing wipers, which detect moisture on the windshield and activate automatically.
* A new cabin air filter, which removes respiratory irritants and toxins caused by traffic and industrial pollution. Additionally, the air filter protects the HVAC/climate control system by blocking water and moisture.
* Adaptive HID headlamps, which rotate according to speed and steering inputs to allow greater visibility around turns
* SOS Post Crash Alert, which activates the horn, emergency flashers, automatically unlocks doors and turns on the interior/puddle lamps when an air bag is deployed. The system activates the emergency flashers when a spinout is detected.

Faster engine performance, strong fuel economy
The award-winning 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engine powers the 2010 Lincoln MKZ, delivering 263 horsepower and 249 pounds-feet of torque. The 3.5-liter uses a compact, lightweight dual-overhead cam valvetrain for peak power and smooth operation at high RPMs.

The 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, which is front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive available, is standard on the 2010 Lincoln MKZ. Powertrain performance is improved dramatically, with 0-60 mph times dropping from 7.7 to 7.1 seconds.
The engine - and the Lincoln MKZ itself - is quieter. Every piece of sound packing was redone.

A high 10.3:1 compression ratio and aluminum cylinder heads designed for high air flow and optimized combustion help complete the package, supporting the engine's ability to deliver great performance and fuel economy, along with low emissions.

The 6-speed transmission allows for lower early gears for better acceleration and taller high gears for better highway mileage. The new standard SelectShift provides the driver with manual gear selection for enhanced sportiness. Downshifts are locked out to protect the engine from over-revving. The "enhanced overdrive cancel" mode locks out the fifth and sixth gears, allows shifts at higher speed for more engine braking and downshifts for "grade assist" functionality.

The 2010 Lincoln MKZ was completely revised and uniquely tuned for ride comfort.
The team changed the rear suspension lower control arm control point to move the roll center closer to the center of gravity, which improved the ride-handling characteristics. A hydraulic variable-flow steering pump changes the flow rate at lower speeds to give better response, improving the turning circle and easier parking efforts.

The Lincoln MKZ's available all-wheel drive (AWD) system has been retuned for better traction and lower noise, vibration and harshness. The system uses an electro-mechanical clutch and employs two basic modes of torque transfer - pre-emptive torque (before wheel slip) and slip-control torque (after wheel slip). This dual system gives the driver confidence in any situation, while the suspension has been specially tuned to be more neutral when cornering.

The AWD system works in harmony with brake traction control to deliver more confidence to Lincoln MKZ customers. Ford's AdvanceTrac electronic stability control keeps drivers in command as well.
The 2010 Lincoln MKZ is built at Ford's Hermosillo (Mexico) Stamping and Assembly Plant and will be in dealer showrooms in spring 2009.