Lincoln Straightline Archives

If you can stand the promotional tone of the voiceover, this video offers the most detailed look yet at the MyLincoln Touch interface that will be standard in the 2011 Lincoln MKX. As we noted, the setup isn't operational in the 2011 MKXs Lincoln is showing in Detroit.

Categories: Car Tech,Crossovers,Detroit Auto Show,Ford,Lincoln,Luxury Cars

#NAIAS We'd anticipated the 2011 Lincoln MKX would get Ford's 350-horsepower, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, but Lincoln officials evidently decided that the normally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 would get the job done. This V6 will make 305 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque -- respectable increases over the 2010 MKX's smaller 3.5-liter V6 (265 hp, 250 lb-ft). The refreshed 2011 MKX goes on sale this spring.

Chief engineer Elaine Bannon cited the 3.7-liter's combination of power and fuel economy as factors in the decision to use it over the twin-turbocharged EcoBoost. But given that the larger, seven-passenger MKT has the same fuel economy rating (16/22) with both the 3.7-liter and twin-turbo 3.5-liter, we suspect the decision had more to do with keeping base prices near the $40K mark. Lincoln hasn't announced 2011 pricing, yet, though.

As a consolation, the control layout should feel a lot more modern than last year's MKX, since the MyLincoln Touch interface is standard in the 2011 model (the system was non-operational in the hand-built showcar in Detroit's Cobo Arena). Also, we spent quite a few minutes walking around the MKX, and it wears the waterfall grille a lot better than it did last year's harmonica.

2010 Detroit Auto Show: 2011 Lincoln MKX

Categories: Crossovers,Detroit Auto Show,Lincoln,Luxury Cars,SUVs

What comes after Ford's Sync voice control technology? It's called MyFord Touch, and soon MyLincoln Touch (and if you're really optimistic, MyMercury Touch) and it debuted at this week's 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

It's basically a new control interface that gives you dominion over nearly feature in your Ford. MyFord Touch doesn't replace Sync; rather, it integrates with Sync. Ford has recently announced new features for Sync, including in-car WiFi capability, smart phone apps and iTunes tagging when you're listening. More crucially, Ford has made a round of improvements to Sync's often fallible voice recognition and command capabilities.

Edmunds.com tech guru Doug Newcomb walks you through the major features of MyFord Touch in this video.

For a more detailed look at MyFord Touch and the new Sync features, check the Edmunds CarPool blog.

Categories: Car Tech,Ford,Lincoln,Mercury,Trends

Toyota recalled nearly 4.9 million vehicles in 2009 -- the most of any automaker in the U.S., the Detroit Free Press reports. This is the first time Toyota has ever led in annual recalls, and of course this milestone is the result of the floor mat debacle during which 4.3 million vehicles were recalled.

Free Press writers crunched the numbers on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Web site. Ford came up second with 4.5 million recalled vehicles -- most of them covered by recalls for cruise control switches that can catch fire, a chronic defect in older Fords.

Next up was GM was 2.2 million recalled vehicles, followed by Hyundai with just over 1 million and Nissan with 700,000+. Chrysler rounded out the top five with 590,000.

You can see the full list in the Free Press article.

Categories: Buick,Cadillac,Chevrolet,Chrysler,Dodge,Ford,GMC,General Motors,Hyundai,Infiniti,Jeep,Kia,Lexus,Lincoln,Manufacturers,Mercury,Nissan,Toyota

This semi-regular column is written (in his own blood) by an automotive sage and noted malcontent, known as The Mechanic. Mercilessly beaten as a child with rolled-up back issues of old car magazines, our free-spoken hero developed a unique "for your own good" take on cars and the auto industry, along with an unfortunate habit of setting himself ablaze. Later, after a distinguished career as an automotive journalist and magazine editor, he cast off the reins of his musty oppressors, carved out his superego with a plastic spork and became The Mechanic.

As 2009 hits the Great Dumpster of Memory, I've decided to binge on the wife's hard egg nog, reflect on what I've learned over the last 12 months and tell you what it all means for our future. Your future. Now self-reflection doesn't come easily to me, so when I do reflect I don't get nostalgic or weepy. I usually just get pissed off all over again.

Not that 2010 isn't going to be a great year. It is. But it ain't all going to be beers on the beach either. In fact, the auto industry has a critical 365 days ahead of it. It's sink or swim time for everybody.

Anyway, here's what I see clogging our automotive sewer line over the next 12 months. Happy New Year.  

Continue reading The Mechanic's Fearless Forecast for 2010.

Categories: Acura,Auto Industry,BMW,Chevrolet,Chrysler,Coupes,Crossovers,Ford,Future Vehicles,General Motors,Hatchbacks,Honda,Hybrids,Hyundai,Lincoln,Luxury Cars,Mercury,SUVs,Sedans,Sports Cars,Subaru,The Mechanic,Trends

Mechanically, the 2010 Lincoln MKT shares a lot with the Ford Flex. That's a good place to start because we love our 2009 Ford Flex long-term test vehicle. 

Both offer a choice of front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. You can get the 355-horsepower EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 or the normally-aspirated Duratec V6 in either one, and the fuel economy numbers are identical right down the line.

They also share a 117.9-inch wheelbase and their front and rear tracks are likewise identical. If I were to do a 2010 Lincoln MKT suspension walkaround you'd say you'd seen it all before.

The difference comes down to body styling and interior layout, something broadly referred to as the "top half" by a Ford engineer I recently spoke with. Or maybe he said "top hat".

Top Hat would be more appropriate in this case because the 2010 Lincoln MKT comes across as much more stylish and formal than the Flex. It also rides more quietly and the standard and optional equipment lists are more generous.

But the more well-appointed 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost also starts at $49,995, some $7,000 more expensive than a top-line 2010 Ford Flex Limited equipped with the same EcoBoost V6 and all-wheel drive system.

Turns out the differences make all the difference, and in our mind the 2010 Lincoln MKT doesn't add up. Click on over to 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost Full Test to read the full story.  

Categories: Crossovers,Ford,Lincoln,Wagons

We've shown you spy shots of the 2011 Lincoln MKX before. Back in July we ran three shots showing a heavily covered prototype cruising the street of Los Angeles.

Now we have these seven shots that really show the goods. As you can see, Lincoln's midsize crossover is basically getting a facelift that will mimic the styling of the newer Lincoln MKT. The current model's harmonica grille is out in favor of the vertical, waterfall look used by the larger 7-passenger MKT.

There are changes to the rear end as well, including new taillights with a heavy chrome surround. Surprisingly, they are individual units and not full width taillights like Lincoln uses on the MKT. And the doors are recontoured at the bottom; gone is that carved in character line with always seemed a little forced. It's hard to tell, but the door handles look new, too, with a slimmer design and a chrome finish.

This MKX will also introduce Ford's Ecoboost V6 to the MKX range, so expect something in the neighborhood of 350-horsepower for this mid-size crossover. Sales are expected to begin next spring. 

Six more pics after the jump.

Continue reading Spy Shots: 2011 Lincoln MKX.

Categories: Crossovers,Future Vehicles,Lincoln,Luxury Cars,SUVs,Spy Photos

Now it is true that we are an unusually hearty crew here braving, as most staffers do, the radically unpredictable and inhospitable climate of Santa Monica, California. Once tiny pellets of water actually rained down from the sky, slightly dampening freshly washed Porsches and freshly groomed small dogs. It was like a lawn sprinkler, but it came from the sky!

So you can see why we'd be so excited about Ford Motor Company's announcement today that it would begin offering heated steering wheels on some models (first on the 2011 Lincoln MKX). Because cold hands suck.

Also, the company announced that it would begin selling a factory-installed remote starter, which has got to be one of the all-time finest inventions known to man. Now, it is true that General Motors and little-known "carmaker" Chrysler have previously produced such items. But owners of Ford Motor Company vehicles had to either start their cars while in the vehicle or have some dude with face tattoos cut into their car's wiring to install an aftermarket unit. And, like other factory systems, Ford's is integrated with the vehicle's available automatic climate control system and heated/cooled seats and, yes, heated steering wheel to bring the cabin to a comfortable temp.

The system will eventually be offered for every Ford Motor Company vehicle (Yes, even for Mercury). It will debut on the 2011 Ford Super Duty pickup.

Oh, and Ford doesn't want to hear your whining about letting a cold engine idle and increased emissions, etc. Ford says its engineers estimate that the remote start could reduce hydrocarbon, CO and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 75 percent because it preheats the catalytic converter on cold starts before those first few emissions-rich accelerations.

Update: Chevrolet just sent us a press release that says just about exactly the same thing as the Ford press release sent a couple hours earlier. Difference is, Chevrolet got to point out that it has offered factory remote start since 2004. Maybe it's just a cold day in Detroit today or maybe this is just good old cross-town bickering. Whatever. Can't you two just get along and get to work on the electro-shawl that Detroit Editor Daniel Pund has been asking for?

Categories: Ford,Lincoln,Mercury

Curious whether the new 2010 Honda Accord has an optional neck massager? How about the tow rating on the Ford F-150? And what about those European cars, they're always adding some new totally nonessential technological "feature."

Now there's an easy way to find out. Our 2010 Buyer's Guide lists every model change from every manufacturer. From colors to options to full redesigns, it's all there.

2010 Buyer's Guide 

Categories: Acura,Aston Martin,Audi,BMW,Bentley,Bugatti,Buick,Cadillac,Chevrolet,Chrysler,Dodge,Ferrari,Fiat,Ford,GMC,General Motors,HUMMER,Honda,Hyundai,Infiniti,Jaguar,Jeep,Kia,Lamborghini,Land Rover,Lexus,Lincoln,Lotus,MINI,Maserati,Maybach,Mazda,Mercedes-Benz,Mercury,Mitsubishi,Nissan,Pontiac,Porsche,Rolls-Royce,SMART,Saab,Saturn,Scion,Subaru,Suzuki,Tesla Motors,Toyota,Volkswagen,Volvo

Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.

With the base 3.7-liter V6 engine, the Lincoln MKS is a pretty ordinary luxury car with an uncomfortably large price tag. In our full test of an all-wheel-drive 2009 MKS, we came up with a 7.5-second 0-to-60-mph time (7.2 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a dragstrip) and a 15.4-second quarter-mile at 90 mph. These are hardly the numbers of an elite luxury sedan, and the fact that the engine feels and sounds strained while moving the 4,300-pound MKS certainly doesn't help.

But Ford's twin-turbocharged and direct-injected, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, newly available for 2010, is supposed to change all that. If you've seen the Loveland Pass advertorial, you know that this is trumpeted as the V6 engine of tomorrow -- the one that performs like a V8 without the fuel economy penalty.

Frankly, it better perform like a V8. The EcoBoost option is only available on AWD versions of the 2010 Lincoln MKS, and it adds $5,000 to the price tag right off the bat. Additionally, our fully loaded MKS EcoBoost tester has the $3,500 Ultimate Package (Rapid Spec 201A), which includes a dual-pane sunroof, hard-drive-based navigation with real-time traffic and weather, plus a rearview camera; and a THX 5.1 surround-sound audio system. It also has the EcoBoost Appearance package ($2,995), which provides 20-inch chrome wheels and all sorts of additional flair inside and out, plus adaptive cruise control with collision mitigation ($1,310) and active parking assist ($535). Total damage? $56,625. That easily puts it in the price territory of the Mercedes-Benz E550 and Jaguar XF. Granted, the EcoBoost V6 works miracles in the Ford Flex, but that wagon only costs $40K.

We didn't attempt a hill climb in our Lincoln MKS EcoBoost, but we did take it to the Inside Line test track. Follow the jump to see how it did.

Continue reading IL Track Tested: 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost.

Categories: IL Track Tested,Lincoln,Luxury Cars,Sedans

The July sales numbers are in, and the Ford Motor Company is looking pretty good.

Taken together, sales for the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands were up 9% over the same month last year. It' also posted the first year-over-year sales gain since November of 2007.

Highlights of the numbers include:

Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sales up 66% and 60% respectively.

Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner sales up 94% and 71% respectively. 

Ford Focus sales up 44%.

Strangely, Ford Ranger sales were also up 65% in July, so Ford's claim of having the "freshest lineup in the business" is always the reason for its big numbers.

AutoObserver: Cash for Clunkers Produces July Sales Boost

Categories: Auto Industry,Ford,Lincoln,Mercury

Spotted roaming the streets of L.A., this prototype of the 2011 Lincoln MKX reveals a few of the changes in store for the midsize crossover.

It's basically getting a facelift that will mimic the styling of the newer Lincoln MKT. The current model's harmonica grille is out in favor of the vertical, waterfall look used by the MKT. There are changes to the rear end as well, but the heavy camouflage makes it hard to tell if the MKX will get full width taillights like the MKT.

This MKX will also introduce Ford's Ecoboost V6 to the MKX range, so expect something in the neighborhood of 350-horsepower for this mid-size crossover. Sales are expected to begin next spring.

First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKT

Categories: Crossovers,Future Vehicles,Lincoln,Luxury Cars,Spy Photos

A little backyard engineering and any ol' clunker can be converted to central air conditioning.

Looks like the owner of this "Lincoln" may have seen the un-aired pilot episode of Top Gear USA as it too featured a junker with a similar setup.

Photo courtesy: Rednecks Unlimited

Categories: Car Tech,Lincoln,Sedans,Tuners and Modifications

We haven't had a chance to strap our test equipment to any EcoBoosted Lincoln MKS (or any other EcoBoosted product from FoMoCo, for that matter). But, last night, we did the next best thing: We took the twin-turbo V6 Lincoln to the local drag strip, in Milan, Michigan.

The direct injection 3.5-liter makes a substantial 355 horsepower (on premium fuel, anyway) but it also has a big ol' all-wheel-drive sedan to pull around. Nonetheless, the car rips off 14-second runs all night long. In the cool of the evening, the MKS EcoBoost posted one 13.9-second run, but earlier in the 75-degree afternoon repeated runs in three different cars yielded near-identical runs in right at 14 and about 104 mph. Good stuff.

For perspective, in our more formal testing the 2006 Shelby GT-H Mustang ran a 13.9 @ 101.1 mph. A 2010 Mustang GT ran the quarter in the mid-13s. The MKS nips anything that could be considered a competitor by at least a few tenths. Both the Caddy STS V8 and Infinti M45 get it done in 14.4. Keep in mind, the MKS figures are are not subject to our weather correction, as the other numbers quoted here, but we don't expect the numbers would change significantly if they were.

A Flex EcoBoost, on hand for giggles, will do the deed in 14.5. Presumably, an MKT woud do pretty much the same.

Incidentally, Milan Dragway is pronounced "MY-lin," not "mee-LAHN," like some kind of fancy-pants Italian Mercury sedan.

Categories: Crossovers,Ford,Lincoln,Sedans,Wagons

It's no understatement to say that the future of the Lincoln brand hinges on how much you end up like the 2010 Lincoln MKT and its twin-turbocharged, direct-injected, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. This is the only Lincoln model of the last decade that has had any real character, even if that character goes no deeper than the sheetmetal.

Fortunately, as Senior Editor Dan Pund writes, the MKT is actually pretty good, especially if you like its one-of-a-kind styling. As for the EcoBoost V6, well, it just might live up to all the advance billing it has gotten from Ford, too, as it offers ample mid-range torque during when you peg the throttle at highway speeds -- no small feat on a Lincoln that weighs nearly 5,000 lbs.

Of course, in large part, the 2010 MKT drives like the Ford Flex that it really is underneath. And it's not quite so good at seating 6 people as the Flex -- because the dramatic roofline that makes it distinctive from the Ford also restricts headroom in the rearmost row.

Does the MKT's relationship to the Flex really matter? Will this crossover be interesting and likable enough to give Lincoln a future? And would you pay $49,995 to buy a nice one with the EcoBoost V6?

2010 Lincoln MKT First Drive

Categories: Crossovers,Lincoln