Ford's mullet-man, Mark Fields, strode onto the stage to introduce the 2009 Lincoln MKS... and promptly called it "MKX." Oooops.
The MKS, which is what's shown here, is intended to be Lincoln's flagship, competing with the Lexus GS, Cadillac STS and Acura RL.
Design Chief Peter Horbury took the stage to point out some of the Lincoln cues they stole from previous Lincolns. The front end is distinctly Lincoln, and the overall look is clean and understated, with perhaps too many hints of Lexus GS in the profile.
You've seen the number keypad that Ford uses on many of its cars, right? The MKS does this idea one better -- there's an invisible keypad in the B-pillar that lights up when you wave your hand over it. Pretty slick.
In introducing this feature, Horbury gave a not-subtle-at-all jab to OnStar: "There's no need to put a satellite into space and have operators standing by just to unlock your doors." Cheeky.
Interesting historical tidbit: the leather for the MKS's seats is said to be from the same Scottish supplier that made the leather for the Model T.
It looks like the MKS will be very well equipped and competitively priced. It starts at $37,985 and tops out at $48,120 for the fully loaded AWD version. -- Jason Kavanagh, Engineering Editor
11ballch says:
01:55 PM, 11/14/07
That rear looks a lot like the Maserati Quattroporte.
flicmod says:
02:05 PM, 11/14/07
Ohhhh, Mr. Fields. You're silly. See, that's why Lincoln should've stayed with real names rather than get on the alpha-numeric bandwagon. At least he didn't call it the Taurus :-)
Did this thing get a V8 yet? With styling and pricing like this, Ford could throw in a V8 and 1-up the RL. Too bad it's still FWD.
phreddkark says:
03:00 PM, 11/14/07
Please don't anybody make dumb comments on this compared to the CTS, GS, G37, or anything else this car is not supposed to be like. NO, it does not have a V8 at the moment, NO, it's not RWD, NO, I don't care. This thing was meant to compete with the Lexus ES, Acura RL, and maybe the Infiniti M35. It's a comfort car, not a sporty car. Take it at face value. Good job, Lincoln!
I'll bet they add the 4.6 after they update it for the Mustang, and then it might be able to compete with the GS and A6, maybe even E-class.
estreka says:
03:43 PM, 11/14/07
I enjoyed the quip about onStar. Any chance of getting a Scorsese short of the system at work?
The leathershop is a very nice touch. It shows you haven't forgotten your roots, even if Lincoln had nothing to do with the Model T.
jkavanagh says:
04:11 PM, 11/14/07
The MKS will have, at first, a 3.7L V6 with 270 hp and 265 lb-ft.
In a year the MKS will be the first Ford product to receive their twin-turbo direct injection V6. According to Fields, with this engine the MKS will be the most powerful and most fuel efficient entry in the AWD luxury sedan segment... which consists of the GS and the RL.
No V8.
hondacura4 says:
04:24 PM, 11/14/07
Im sure its much better than the current Town Car but I dont see this car being flagship material as the interior styling leaves a lot to be desired. Lincoln, you ever heard of Cadillac?
"In a year the MKS will be the first Ford product to receive their twin-turbo direct injection V6. According to Fields, with this engine the MKS will be the most powerful and most fuel efficient entry in the AWD luxury sedan segment... which consists of the GS and the RL".
The power sounds great but does that include good driving dynamics as well? Lexus GS, Acura RL, STS AWD, E350 4Matic, 535Xi, M35 AWD......quite a good list of cars as its competition.
billt9 says:
11:55 PM, 11/14/07
This car is great value! It's priced appropriately, and it's stylish!
hondaacura4, this is a fullsized car, not a midsized car.
Go for the S-class, 750i, and LS460 for size. Which makes it a great value!
It's like what Toyota did with the ES350, a car with no competitors. FWD and sheer size.
lexuslvr says:
04:29 PM, 11/15/07
This will never be a full luxury car until it has rwd and a V-8. And by the way why would this car compete with the ES when the MKZ already does?
ateixeira says:
09:57 AM, 11/16/07
MKZ was the Zephyr, MKX is the Crossover, MKS is the ... sedan?
You need a system just to get the names straight. Hilarious that he got it wrong.
I think the front and rear views are disctinctive, actually. Thumbs up.
estreka says:
03:19 PM, 11/16/07
Wait, I thought the MKLMNOP was the competitor to the ES?
tp660 says:
04:23 PM, 11/17/07
Woah! Check out the interior. Lincoln has actually realized it's 2007 and put round gauges in there.
zach101 says:
08:15 PM, 11/17/07
I think this car is attractive. But that grill is a bit exaggerated.
1487 says:
01:35 PM, 11/19/07
this car is a great value and full of technology. The RL starts at $50k and doesnt have everything this car does.
hondacura4 says:
11:09 AM, 11/22/07
1487, please do your homework first.
Acura RL: $46,280
Acura RL Tech:$49,900
Acura RL Tech/CMBS/Pax: $53,700
Even the base RL has a lot of features so Im wondering what the Lincoln offers that the RL doesnt? BTW Im not a big fan of the RL either. Id probably lease a 6MT 535i Sport instead.
eurofocusst says:
07:47 PM, 12/ 5/07
i like the new grill and all and I would love to have this car BUT, for some reason I can't shake off the fact that the grill looks too Pontiac-ish. If all the Lincolns had this grill before Ponitiac made the dual bow grill, then it would be a different story.