Lincoln MKS flagship is huge on value and style
Published Thursday November 13th, 2008
Lincoln's just set a new contender off into the luxury market to compete with the likes of BMW, Audi, Cadillac and Lexus for your posh-sedan dollar. Their latest is called the MKS- and it ousts the brands MKZ from top place in the Lincoln sedan lineup.
Stand-out looks are created by an imposing stance, large alloy wheels and a fantastic looking fascia with a metal-blade grille treatment. The grille doesn't integrate into the hood at its top, but seeps out from underneath it- as though it's escaping from beneath the car's skin. Very cool looking.
Xenon lighting, dual exhaust and a dual-pane sunroof complete the package, which rolls on a sporty-looking set of 19-inch alloys.
At writing, it was available solely powered by a 3.7 litre V6, dispensing 270 horsepower to the front, or optionally all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The gearbox has finally sprouted a manual-mode, too.
Overall test mileage averaged about 12L / 100km.
The engine is mild-mannered and pleasant- delivering acceleration that's swift though not breathtaking while hustling around the MKS's huge body. Some may wish for a bit more off-the-line thrust, though a twin-turbo 'EcoBoost' V6 engine is apparently on the way soon.
There's no manual transmission available, and the MKS uses a front-drive-based setup unlike its more nimble rear-drive-based competitors. It's thus no surprise that the Lincoln favors a laid back and luxurious driving experience in place of agile handling and razor sharp steering.
In corners, MKS doesn't try to break the laws of physics or put on a show like a 5-Series- though as a rolling lounge, it's got the ride nailed almost squarely on the head.
When the road is open and flat, it glides along in a shroud of deceptive heaviness. The solid, sturdy feel masks the sensation of speed, so use of the cruise control is important.
The suspension can feel slightly stiff to borderline floaty- depending on what you happen to be driving over. MKS is consistently comfortable in most situations, though it can become noisy or choppy over rough surfaces as the big wheels pound along.
Sporty it is not, but the MKS doesn't feel overweight or clumsy, either. There's plenty of grip, and the car can be tossed about, it just doesn't say 'thank you' to the driver in the process. Brakes are powerful and pedal feel is notably good.
The interior of the new MKS alone will sell many shoppers on the entire car. Chrome and wood trim work with gunmetal colored plastics towards a fantastic executive look that's beautifully shaped and well assembled.
Leather covers everything- even the door handles and dashboard. Front seats are heated, chilled and come with a memory function too. Space is abundant at each seat, as is storage capacity- and there's a magnificent level of roominess and sophistication. MKS makes many of its competitors look downright plain inside.
Its powerful THX stereo is tied into a high-tech infotainment system that does a plethora of jobs- including handling phone calls, text messages, navigation functions and even managing music files for the on-board hard-drive. It all displays through a crisp, high-resolution screen.
The voice-commanded interface is the most high-tech of its kind- but plan an afternoon with the owner's manual first to avoid frustration.
The backup-camera is a must because of the narrow rear window and limited rearward field of view. It's even got assist-markers to help line up parking spaces, but the display is a little too blurry to be trustworthy.
An enormous turning radius doesn't help things in parking lots, either.
The tester featured automation or motorization of every feature imaginable, allowing drivers to sit back and enjoy the ride with little to think about. Climate control, wipers and even high-beams are automatic, and radar cruise control automatically maintains a pre-set gap in traffic.
The locks and engine work without touching the key, and the gas-cap has even been replaced by a self-sealing metal flap. Ford's slick new heat-sensitive keypad system is on board, too.
If you've got about $55,000 to $60,000 burning a hole in your pocket for a luxury sedan, the MKS puts up a fantastic argument- occupying base-model pricing territory for other high-end rides. Given its overall size and equipment level, you'll have trouble finding more vehicle for the price.
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