All New 2008 Lincoln MKS

[Dan]

2008 Lincoln MKS

By Larry Edsall

On Sale: Late 2008
Expected Pricing: $45,000

Lincoln is at work on a car that will become its new flagship, both in design and technology. The first preview of this car was at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in the form of the MKS concept car (seen here in the main photo). Now, a year later, we're seeing updated design cues and technology in the form of the MKR concept (shown here in the secondary photo) that are expected to find their way on the MKS before it goes on sale late in 2008.

The Lincoln MKS will be close in size to the Lincoln LS sedan produced from 2000-2005. The LS shared its platform with the Jaguar S-type, and the MKS may share components with the production version of the Jaguar C-XF concept, the S-type successor also unveiled at the 2007 Detroit auto show. Ford is parent company to Lincoln and Jaguar.

The MKS concept rides on a 114.4-inch wheelbase, essentially the same length as that of the recently departed LS. But the MKS concept is wider and longer overall than the Lincoln LS. (The MKS concept is 75.5 inches wide and 203.8 inches long; the LS was 73.2 inches wide and 193.9 inches long overall.)

Lincoln says the MKS will be a full-size luxury sedan with sporty performance attributes. The preview car featured a panoramic glass Vista Roof, LED headlamps that swivel into corners, an advanced navigation system, Bluetooth hands-free cell phone technology, and a DVD-based audio surround sound system.

The new Lincoln will likely feature Ford Sync, an in-car digital communications system developed with Microsoft that provides hands-free phone operation, access to music, and text messaging capabilities.

The MKS concept features all-wheel drive and a 315-horsepower, 4.4-liter V8 engine linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. However, Ford more recently announced production plans for a new TwinForce engine, a twin-turbocharged, 3.5-liter V6 that pumps out 415 horsepower, can run on either premium gasoline or E85 ethanol fuel, and provides V8-style performance with V6-like fuel economy. Ford has not announced which vehicles will get the new engine, but a 415-hp V6 would seem right at home in a flagship vehicle such as the MKS. With 400 pound-feet of torque, the engine is powerful enough that it could be used with an all-wheel-drive platform without suffering in performance, and would be especially sporty in a rear-drive version of the MKS. Just idle speculation, of course.

The chief designer says the most recent MKR concept features all of Lincoln's new design cues, a rolling palette they will use when designing cars. The design of the grille is a pivotal part of this thinking.

While some of the new look was included on the MKS concept, the styling has been advanced in the ensuing year since that car was unveiled. Our understanding is that the overall shape of the MKS will remain. However, design details from the newer MKR concept could show up on the production MKS. Among them: the newer bow wave double grille inspired by the classic 1941 Lincoln Continental, and the Lincoln emblem set gill-like into the front quarter panels.

Inside, the MKS concept featured an instrument panel set off by a ribbon of silvered bird's-eye maple set between narrow polished alloy bands. Special Aniline leather seats featured 14-way adjustment for those sitting in front. Open loop Wind Loom carpeting and suede accents made the interior an even more luxurious environment.

www.lincoln.com

[DCroft]

After the first batch, Lincoln is scheduled to release an AWD Twin Turbo version. Their new motors are part of an ecoboost family. They will have a turbo'd 4 banger as well with around 260HP. (Naturally I would expect an SVT Focus to re-emerge as Ford's import fighter.) Expected HP on the TT AWD MKS is going to be around 360 with Torque being anywhere from 350 to 370.