Lincoln MKZ Full Modelchange

Over the years, Lincoln is Ford's luxury marque that sometimes didn't go quite well against its rivals from Europe and Asia. Even General Motors' own Cadillac brand trounced this brand quite easily because they think they are better than them. Thanks to such downturn, it seems that the fate of the Lincoln brand is pretty much on the line but in order prove that Lincoln still have to get up from its knees and rise above the odds, Ford decided to give Lincoln life anew as Lincoln Motor Company. A new company name that was been sacred from the 1950's promises that it will have its own product development team, designers and salespeople. For Chapter 1 of the new Lincoln Motor Company, here's this opening salvo...

2013 Lincoln MKZ

It's the second generation Lincoln MKZ and despite started out in life as a Ford Fusion just like its previous incarnation, it tries to shave off its image as a Ford Fusion with a fancy name and bigger price tag because everything you'll see on the all new MKZ is far more different from the all-new Ford Fusion as well as the 3.7L Duratec V6 engine, unique to the new MKZ.

Apart from its all-original Lincoln look that proves that they're not just a bunch of Ford cars with posh names and posh pricetag, this new model tries to have that new feeling, a feeling that every time you're driving this, it gives you some sort of an esperanza feeling, something that feels like you're listening to the song Esperanza. He he he...Esperanza...I'm a 90's kid, I always remember that show...Esperanza...

Anyway, while backing off to this whole Esperanza analogy, there are some engine choices offered on the new MKZ. There's a turbocharged 2.0L EcoBoost engine derived from the all new Ford Fusion, a 2.0L Hybrid variant that gets me up to 19.2kmpl as rated by EPA, and a 3.7L Duratec V6 engine, which I said it is unique to the new MKZ. With a recommended Michelin tire (see: Michelin Pilot Super Sport), it promises stopping distance from 100kph to a dead stop of 06 feet to stop from 160 mph, 0.91 g on the skidpad and a 26.5-second time in our figure eight. Some say that such tires can stop better and handle better than our favorite Ford muscle car, the Mustang.

2013 Lincoln MKZ interior

I once read an article from Motor Trend and they said that if they fit the new MKZ with conventional tires (see: Michelin Primacy MXM4), this car would have been more quieter and conventional because when they test it with the Super Sports tires, here comes an excessive tire noise which is bad for the passengers, bad for the lazy boys, bad for your boss, and worst of all...bad for your Sir Chief. He he he...sorry about the Sir Chief bit.

One of the craziest things about this new model is that there is no gear lever. That's right, Lincoln tries to get mad with the styling details and made some very complicating changes to the typical car interior, knowing where to start an engine, where to set to drive, where to change the volume of the radio, air condition, so on, so forth. In here, you have to rub those silver linings from left to right to adjust the aircon, the volume, and others and to set the car to drive, because this car has no lever to engage it, push the D button on the dashboard. This is a dashboard confessional if you know what I mean....he he he....

2013 Lincoln MKZ

Price? Well, you have to be an Aga Saga or a posh person to have one of these because it starts at $35,925 for both the 2.0L model and the hybrid model and $37,155 for the V6 model, $37,815 for the 2.0L 4WD model, and $39,045 for the V6 4WD model. That seems posh for a car that started out in life as a Ford Fusion but as an owners car, you'll gonna have to spend more for the necessary tires and Lincoln genuine accessories to balance it out. There's nothing wrong when it comes of driving this but if there's something wrong with it, that's your responsibility, not the car. Good bye and Good Luck.

Available Colors: Smoked Quartz, Ingot Silver, Ruby Red, Ice Storm, Ginger Ale, Crystal Champagne, Tuxedo Black, Bordeaux Reserve, and White Platinum.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

2013 Ford Taurus and 2013 Lincoln MKS

2013 Ford Taurus

Here it is. This is the 2013 Ford Taurus and this is somewhat the Evos-fied facelift of the sixth generation Taurus, which is the best Taurus I have ever witnessed upon its three-year tenure. For this latest refresh, we'd expected a new face inspired from the Ford Evos concept car, new gizmos loaded depending on which variant, and some new choice of engines to expect. There is now the new and improved 2.0L Ti-VCT EcoBoost l4 engine, which generates about 240HP of power, 270lb-ft of torque, and estimated fuel economy of about 26MPG combined. A 3.5L 24-valve DOHC Ti-VCT V6 was offered and also the one that I quite like. It's the SHO Version which comes with the 3.5L Twin Turbo Charged Direct Injection EcoBoost V6 engine that peaks out about 365HP of power. All Tauruses have a conventional 6-speed Auto but the SHO comes with paddle shifters.

2013 Ford Taurus interior

Sure the interior remains the same but it appears the hard drive's have been completely new or in translation, Ford added the MyFord Touch with the a new head unit with 8" touch screen, steering wheel and interactive gauge cluster. There's more;  a heated steering wheel, all new Sony sound system featuring HD Radio and iTunes Tagging, Multicontour seats with Active Motion (massage), push-button start, auto high beams and a rear view camera were there to keep it a bit more luxurious. 

Anyway, word from the devil, the 2013 Taurus is a bit more refined for an average salaryman who wants to go out for work but for the SHO version this car is about as feistier as <! --metaphors involved!! -- > Nina Williams. Uh-huh, the sport-tuned shock absorbers, springs, stabilizer bars and strut mount bushings on the SHO really made it as sharp as a European sedan with added flying kicks. It's not as dynamic as an American muscle car but it's as mild as a Porsche and because it's 4WD, too much grip. No matter though, it's still more like a feisty female video game character I know but what if for those who don't want something feisty?

To put it this way, the standard 2013 Taurus costs about $26,600 up to $39,200 for the high-performance SHO. Actually this is a lot cheaper than any other European sports saloons I know but if the Taurus is not too luxurious, what's the point with this?

2013 Lincoln MKS

This is the 2013 Lincoln MKS. Even though this is a Ford Taurus in Lincoln's clothing, this facelift is a bit more...irritating to my eyes. It's like Cybermen vs. Daleks trying to design something but hey, this weird looking front face feels like it's even more scarier than the Weeping Angel but on the inside...well that's a different story.

2013 Lincoln MKS interior

That's a completely new interior for the 2013 MKS here. There's now the new MyLincoln Touch feature that allows me to make and receive phone calls hands-free, or even browse and play my favorite songs with voice recognition.

Although it uses the same platform as the Taurus, the MKS is offered with the 3.7L V6 engine or the high performance 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine. Because I'm sticking on the EcoBoost story, that engine generates about 365HP of power, same as the 2013 Taurus SHO. While the 3.7 V6 is FWD (with the optional AWD), the EcoBoost variant is 4WD, same case but sadly, the Lincoln MKS doesn't have the adjustable suspension as the Taurus. I'm afraid the driving feel for the MKS is a bit of faff. A BIT OF FAFF. Didn't like how it behaves because it feels like a Japanese luxury car that was made for the accountants, geography teachers, and someone named Brian.

Another concern was its pricing as the standard MKS with the 3.7L engine on it costs about $42,810, twice as the normal Taurus. So then, it's your choice really, you can either have the feisty one or the one that is a bit of a faff. Sadly though, both of them will lose. Just saying...

Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

With Ford Motor Company decided to axe the Mercury brand, it seems that there will be no more Milan Hybrid to offer. For this luxury marque, Lincoln unveiled its first hybrid car set to take place from the banishment of the Mercury Milan Hybrid.

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

The new MKZ Hybrid offers the same MKZ comfort with the new hybrid power-train that simply defines "eco-car" to the supreme level. Since the MKZ Hybrid is a full-fledged, all-American eco-car, it features the 2.5L Atkinson-Cycle I-4 Hybrid Engine, dedicated to bring out the green factor for this luxury sedan. With the CVT added for the MKZ Hybrid, the fuel efficiency for this American luxury hybrid can go for about 41/36 mpg.

My thoughts about the MKZ Hybrid:

As Ford fans trying to think twice before saying farewell to the Mercury Milan Hybrid, and other Mercury models, Lincoln's gaining an edge for bringing new models in the future, and the MKZ Hybrid tries to stand out without the risky sacrifice of becoming the most fuel-efficient Lincoln ever made. With the same pricing as the regular MKZ (2WD), for about $34,330 or 4.8 million pesos, most luxury car enthusiasts who has a sense of green driving cannot go wrong with this premium hybrid car.

The MKZ Hybrid still carries Bridge of Weir leather, Heated/Cooled 10-Way Power Front Seats, SYNC connectivity, and other luxury items, perfect to turn things around for the upperclassmen. The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid targets the Toyota Crown Hybrid, Lexus GS Hybrid, and the upcoming Nissan Fuga Hybrid respectively.

Photo: Ford Motor Company

Lincoln MKT

From concept to reality, and fully equipped with an array of premium amenities suitable for the VIP, the new Lincoln MKT answers the endless questions of honor in terms of quality, luxury, appeal, power, and the trust wanted by first-class consumers.

The letter "T" in the MKT naming stands for "touring", referring to its grand touring quality for this premium crossover. To have Ford's premium luxury brand create this one-of-a-kind grand touring crossover, the MKT is equipped with the signature Lincoln design found on the Genesis-fighter MKS and the recently face-lifted MKZ. This gives the MKT an appealing beauty and extensive trust in the eyes of an American executive.

Under the hood, the MKT offers two distinctive engines to choose from, such as the natural aspiration 3.7 L Cyclone V6 Duratec engine and the powerful 3.5 V6 EcoBoost twin turbo engine which has 355HP of power and the torque of 350 lb•ft. Just try to compare this to the Nissan Skyline Crossover! The MKT is equipped with the 6-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with paddle shifters, needed for having this crossover with the feel of the sports car.

In terms of safeness in the eyes of the safety-conscious driver, the MKT is equipped with an array of safety features. The Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning system keeps an eye on the road conditions while travelling on a highway. Anti-lock braking system is added for effective braking and cornering at various corners that are too hard for the crossover to stop and turn, especially when armed with power steering. Other safety features include the rear-view camera, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, and Tire Pressure Monitoring System. In the event of a crashing situation, the SOS Post Crash Alert System is the most vital feature for the MKT. If you have a teenager who was a driver's license and tells you to take the MKT for a spin, it is good to know that you have MyKey system. This MyKey system sets limits on the MKT before passing the spare key to your teenage child before taking a spin on this crossover. It is obedience to the next level.

The MKT's hospitality side comes inside and it has the most luxurious interior features available for the touch of class. First, it can only seat seven people, and the seating arrangements are all too common in the eyes of upper-class families. Combine the SYNC connectivity and the THX-certified surround sound system, and you can have the best musical sound quality and the power to connect your favorite songs while driving the MKT.

My thoughts about the MKT:
With hospitality, power, and prime as its main keywords for this premium crossover, the MKT makes a worthy contender on the latest Cadillac SRX. As more and more people rely on crossovers, my bet is not going to be easy getting the MKT because of the price. If Ford Group Philippines brings the MKT, it would be a worthy contender to the Nissan Murano, Lexus RX350, Toyota Fortuner, and the BMW X3. One question is, can the Lincoln MKT outclass the likes of the Buick Enclave? You decide when you try them both.


Source: http://leopauldelr.multiply.com/reviews/item/252