I'm getting tired of renaming this forum . . .

[DaKat]

Lincoln debuts 2007 Zeph... MKZ

Ford certainly didn’t waste any time assimilating the 1-year-old Zephyr into the brand’s alphanumeric fray while at the same time addressing some of consumers’ biggest issues with the car.

The Zephyr will forthwith be known as the MKZ, or Mark Z. In addition to the new abbreviation, the entry-level luxury sedan also gets a mild facelift up front, the availability of AWD and most importantly Ford’s new corporate 3.5L V6 that produces 250 hp.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2006/02/07/lincoln-debuts-2007-zeph-mkz/

[OneWayStreet]

I kinda like this car.

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/02/07LincolnMKZ_03_a.jpg

[pro-five-oh]

black interior, ebony wood, AWD, 3.5L, 17" wheels...I might like it.

I wonder if this Zephyr hood ornament would look good on the MKZ?

http://www.geocities.com/hood_ornaments/mercury/merc78-1.jpg

[Sysanalyst]

Lincoln debuts 2007 Zeph... MKZ...and most importantly Ford’s new corporate 3.5L V6 that produces 250 hp....
Now if they put in the Jag 4.2 V8 with 300HP to keep up with the $28K 280HP V6 Altima/Maxima or any of the similarly priced/similarly powered Japanese competition vehicles, I'd say - go Lincoln and test drive one. But my last test drive of that Zephyr was enough to for me to determine that I don't want to go back to the L-M dealer for at least a year. My advice to Lincoln: go back to the drawing board instead of drawing new names out of a hat.

Please, please, please Lincoln... at least look at your competition seriously. I really want to see a 5.4L 32 valve supercharged TC for 2007, in Bad A$$ Candy Black, black out grille, with super chrome Nailfoot 20 inchers. Make it the be-all, end-all, badest Lincoln to ever leave Wixom (hurry, hurry before it closes). Now my interest would be up and I'd be over to the L-M dealer for a test drive, just like the Maurader, but better! Get it Ford?

[CheeseSteakJim]

black interior, ebony wood, AWD, 3.5L, 17" wheels...I might like it.

I wonder if this Zephyr hood ornament would look good on the MKZ?

http://www.geocities.com/hood_ornaments/mercury/merc78-1.jpg
That looks eerily similar to my Crown Vic's ornament.

[gadget73]

That looks eerily similar to my Crown Vic's ornament.

Oddly I was thinking exactly the same thing.

[OneWayStreet]

Hmmmm..

http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/02/07LincolnMKZ_05.jpg

I like it with no hood ornament. :p

I'm liking this car!

[pro-five-oh]

with super chrome Nailfoot 20 inchers.

That nailfoot guy sure has left an impression on this messageboard. I agree, Nailfoot 20 inchers for all Town Cars! :)

[Fordace]

NAILFOOT NAILFOOT NAILFOOT

:cheer: :encore: :drink: :curtsy: :ahoy: :box: :gears: :jump: :wheee: :rofl:

[Nick]

I have a cynical view of Ford's product design and the average new Lincoln or FLM buyer. I've given up hope for buying something that will be up to snuff off the showroom floor from an FLM dealer. Instead, I've resigned myself to the fact that I will have to build what they should have but didn't with parts sourced from other vehicles and elsewhere.

You're definitely going to have to work towards your own super Town Car. The Marauder tanked and I doubt they'll even risk trying anything on a car whose average buyer is 65. The 5.4 had clearance issues. I think with the hood, but it's not impossible.

[pro-five-oh]

I have a cynical view of Ford's product design and the average new Lincoln or FLM buyer. I've given up hope for buying something that will be up to snuff off the showroom floor from an FLM dealer.

We just need to slap all the Mazdaspeed 6 suspension and engine goodies on a MKZ AWD (that still sounds wrong) and do something about a manual tranny too. Then the Lincoln can go hunt down EVOs and WRXs. ;)

[Nick]

I've been keeping my eye on MazdaSpeed 6 develoments. There is some potential, including renaming the car a Zephyr. If only there was something that could be done to the car's big, ugly tail lights.

Regardless, the LS is probably the next Lincoln I want with a Mark VIII LSC in second. I don't know how McLaren married a T56 to the engine, but I want it and maybe with a supercharged AJV8. I should try and find out what was done to the OneLap LS for handling improvements. Maybe that program led to the '03 changes.

The Navigator got those lights too. The damn thing looks like it's the bastard between an F350 and a Navigator. The grille is so busy too. The new corporate design language is too crude/messy.

[blackbeauty]

I looked at one of these at the LM dealer where I picked up my T/C - drove up in my Conti (had to make sure the "new" black 99 T/C would look good next to my black 95 Conti) and with the two side-by-side I was amazed at how small the MKZ/Zephyr/Whatever really is, and even though the Z was black too, I cringed when I saw the brushed-aluminum dash/center console!

My prediction: Ford will do exactly what they are trying to do - get "younger" customers to step into their entry-level Z, and then when they can afford it, those customers will step over to the Lexus dealers, while I, loyal to "Ford", will step over to the Jaguar dealer, since Lincoln will be out-of-business.

Case-in-point: I would have thought the T/C was Lincoln's ultimate ride, but my 95 Conti seems to have more going for it than my 99 T/C Signature. For one, the Conti rides/handles much better (set on middle setting), and I like the tilt-down mirrors in reverse on the Conti too. The Conti has storage pockets on both front doors while the T/C is only on the drivers door. And why is there no light for that storage bin anyway? The T/C has black interior which really makes it hard to find things at night in there. No under hood light, etc. ........ Go to Lincoln.com..... blue is not a color option anymore??? Just white, silver, champagne, green, gray, dark red, or black. Blue, according to marketing surveys conducted in 17 different countries, is the most popular color in the world, so go figure you can't buy a 2006 T/C in blue, of any shade.

Well, at least they look good together:

[Sysanalyst]

That looks eerily similar to my Crown Vic's ornament.

It is! Ford is rebadging the badges? :D

[Sysanalyst]

...My prediction: Ford will do exactly what they are trying to do - get "younger" customers to step into their entry-level Z, and then when they can afford it, those customers will step over to the Lexus dealers, while I, loyal to "Ford", will step over to the Jaguar dealer, since Lincoln will be out-of-business. ...

Unfortunately, my "younger crowd" (wife and kids) love those Lexus cars. I must admit, they run great, look good, and rarely ever break (never for us yet). The newer ones look very sporty and have more powerful engines.

I've said it here before, Ford needs to forget "Fleet" and think "Customer". My wife and kids would never willingly go over to the L-M dealer. They love to go to the Lexus dealer. They tell me how badly they want the new models. When my eldest daughter saw a Zephyr in my neighbors driveway, she thought the guy lost his job (he used to have a 2000 TC on the driveway - probably traded it out for that "Zipper"). The clock is ticking Ford........

[Philip]

March '06 Motor Trend, page 22...

"Lincoln's all new replacement for the LS, due in 2007, will be named "MKS," in line with Lincolns new alphabetic naming system. The aim, say Ford insiders is to get buyers referring to their vehicles as Lincolns rather than Navigators or Town Cars and help build the brand image."

BTW, this is a nice looking vehicle shown on that page, dare I say hot looking. It'll be powered by a Yamaha built 315hp 4.4 liter V8, Hallelujah!!! And yes, I like the Zephyr too. It's especially hot in black. Whatever alphabetic name they give it in 2007 is fine by me as long as it's getting that new 3.5 liter engine. And when they finally see fit to build a two-door luxury sport again, I'm signing up!