MKS - Auto Show brochure preview

[Vitas]

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j290/NewEnglandLincolns/misc/MKS_Boston.jpg

This is from a multiple Lincoln brochure (no TC) distributed at the Boston Auto Show earlier this month:

LINCOLN MKS PREVIEW

Push-button start. Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, panoramic Vista Roof ™ and a world o-class powerplant under the hood. The dramatic shape of Lincoln’s future, Lincoln MKS is driven by technology and wired for performance.

With all the presence, passion and connectivity you’d expect, it only hints at what’s to come.

Coming Spring 2008. Appearance may change.

[pro-five-oh]

Lincoln's so coy about what motor is gonna propell that thing. Like they are playing hard to get. :)

[Sysanalyst]

Lincoln needs to realize that they must use a very powerful V8 to compete with Lexus, Infinity, Cadillac, or Daimler/Chrysler/MB as if they don't ante up, they will be left in the dust again. They better bite the bullet and come up with a powerful V8 quickly, the new Lexus LS sports a beefy 380HP V8 with and 8 speed automatic... it also parks itself - for a $60K MSRP! If the MKX is only "half baked" when it hits showroom floors, it will spell yet another disaster in a long round disasters for FoMoCo. This will be "the defining moment" for FoMoCo and their "make-it or break-it" strategy.

[pro-five-oh]

Lincoln needs to realize that they must use a very powerful V8 to compete with Lexus, Infinity, Cadillac, or Daimler/Chrysler/MB as if they don't ante up, they will be left in the dust again. They better bite the bullet and come up with a powerful V8 quickly, the new Lexus LS sports a beefy 380HP V8 with and 8 speed automatic... it also parks itself - for a $60K MSRP! If the MKX is only "half baked" when it hits showroom floors, it will spell yet another disaster in a long round disasters for FoMoCo. This will be "the defining moment" for FoMoCo and their "make-it or break-it" strategy.

Have you driven an LS yet? The Lexus V8 is far from beefy. You gotta rev the damn thing like a Honda to make real power.

Ride and handling are on par with a Town Car. Not impressive for $65k base price. The self parking thing is a gimmick, it won't even park you all the way in if the space is too small for its standards.

[AZLincolnMercury]

Have you driven an LS yet? The Lexus V8 is far from beefy. You gotta rev the damn thing like a Honda to make real power.

Ride and handling are on par with a Town Car. Not impressive for $65k base price. The self parking thing is a gimmick, it won't even park you all the way in if the space is too small for its standards.

Are you feeling alright Pro?;) Down with Lexus!:p

[pro-five-oh]

Are you feeling alright Pro?;) Down with Lexus!:p

Since I'm not that crazy about the Lexus GS (the MKS' competition) after having one for a week, Lincoln might actually have a winner here, if they don't screw it up. :p

[Sysanalyst]

... Lincoln might actually have a winner here, if they don't screw it up. :p

Key words here.

[pro-five-oh]

Key words here.

Don't ask me why, but I have faith. Ford and GM make better cars with every new model rollout. Every year they make things better, as if they are slowly turning the tide of stupidity. Actually that's exactly why I have faith.

[Sysanalyst]

Don't ask me why, but I have faith. Ford and GM make better cars with every new model rollout. Every year they make things better, as if they are slowly turning the tide of stupidity. Actually that's exactly why I have faith.

I spent a week with my father, a retired Ford engineer, on a hunting trip a couple of weeks ago. I asked about the big buyouts and the effect they'd have on quality of the Ford product. He indicated that most Ford employee work was inferior to their consultant counterparts, at least in the engineering department. The bottom line; If you want something done right and on time at Ford engineering, give the work to a consultant.

Now you love Lincolns pro, but many folks were "burned" by terrible Ford product over the years; cracking plastic intake manifolds, fiery brake/cruise switches, fiery ignition switches, premature engine/transmission failures, etc. Customer trust is the big hurdle Ford must overcome, and the dealers must change their attitudes towards customers and warranties must keep up with the foreign competition. A long road ahead for Ford, with no room for any more errors. Time will tell, and the clock is ticking.

[Vitas]

Now you love Lincolns pro, but many folks were "burned" by terrible Ford product over the years; cracking plastic intake manifolds, fiery brake/cruise switches, fiery ignition switches, premature engine/transmission failures, etc. Customer trust is the big hurdle Ford must overcome, and the dealers must change their attitudes towards customers and warranties must keep up with the foreign competition. A long road ahead for Ford, with no room for any more errors. Time will tell, and the clock is ticking.

That point is probably most significant, about people, AKA consumers, being burned.

[pro-five-oh]

Now you love Lincolns pro, but many folks were "burned" by terrible Ford product over the years; cracking plastic intake manifolds, fiery brake/cruise switches, fiery ignition switches, premature engine/transmission failures, etc.

Of course. But even Lexus owners get upset about their cars when Lexus Corporate jerks them around on the lemons they sell. The guy I suggested to contact you isn't gonna be a loyal Lexus fan, ever. The car is boring, and dealer service isn't gonna hold him forever.

Everyone's got that problem, right now Ford's doing the worst with it.

[Vitas]

Everyone's got that problem, right now Ford's doing the worst with it.

There is no excuse for it. They should do their own beta testing of their cars before releasing them to the public and run them on the proving grounds test track 24 hours a day. I would think that it would save them a lot of money rather than paying for recalls, endless TSB corrections, class action lawsuits, and bad public relations.

I test drove a brand new 2007 livery Executive L today. Love the firm footing of a large car.

[pro-five-oh]

There is no excuse for it. They should do their own beta testing of their cars before releasing them to the public and run them on the proving grounds test track 24 hours a day. I would think that it would save them a lot of money rather than paying for recalls, endless TSB corrections, class action lawsuits, and bad public relations.

I have no doubt that Engineers and designers do their job, its the beancounters, managers, outside consultants, etc that take a dump on whatever they do and say it doesn't make business sense financially.

Hopefully Ford fired enough of those Groupthinking folks in 2006 that 2008-2009 will be different.

[Vitas]

The reliability report that Consumer Reports released a few weeks ago is very, very promising for FoMoCo:

"Consumer Reports’ latest Annual Car Reliability Survey shows some domestic models have become as reliable as their Japanese competitors, and that as a group, family and small cars have the best predicted reliability. However Asian models continue to be the most reliable overall.

Three of Ford Motor Company’s newest models scored among the top players, with the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans scoring slightly better than the Honda Accord V6 and Toyota Camry V6. The Lincoln Zephyr also did well, scoring second in predicted reliability to the Lexus ES350, the leader in the upscale cars category."

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/11/09/028196.html

[pro-five-oh]

I saw that, it is certainly a sign of better things to come.

[Sysanalyst]

According to Consumer Reports, the 10 year reliability trend for F-L-M is about twice as good as for either Daimler/Chrysler and/or GM (which both run neck-and-neck for poorest overall reliability). It appears that the new Fusion/Milan/Zephyr "triplets" may be fighting back against the Asian crown, but time will tell as these are very new models... one can only hope. If these trends continue, I may need to buy some more Ford bonds.

[pro-five-oh]

According to Consumer Reports, the 10 year reliability trend for F-L-M is about twice as good as for either Daimler/Chrysler and/or GM (which both run neck-and-neck for poorest overall reliability).Is that info found somewhere on the net? I'd like to see it.

time will tell as these are very new models... one can only hope.

Aside from the sheetmetal, interior parts and transmission, that's not true. Its a 1996 Taurus engine, Mazda 6 underpinnings...well for the most part. Plus its assembled in a factory that out-quality'd the Mazda 6 its based on.

The MKS is based on the Ford Five Hundred, which won a few consumer quality awards too. Everyone who has one seems to think its a good car, its just too boring for most to even consider. But the platform itself has a chance.

[Sysanalyst]

...


Aside from the sheetmetal, interior parts and transmission, that's not true. ...

In F-L-M land, that's as new as new gets!

[Matt]

Is that info found somewhere on the net? I'd like to see it.



Aside from the sheetmetal, interior parts and transmission, that's not true. Its a 1996 Taurus engine, Mazda 6 underpinnings...well for the most part. Plus its assembled in a factory that out-quality'd the Mazda 6 its based on.

The MKS is based on the Ford Five Hundred, which won a few consumer quality awards too. Everyone who has one seems to think its a good car, its just too boring for most to even consider. But the platform itself has a chance.

It's the Lincoln/Jaguar version of the Taurus Duratec 30. Not quite the same motor.

[pro-five-oh]

It's the Lincoln/Jaguar version of the Taurus Duratec 30. Not quite the same motor.

True. That makes it from 2000.

Still, that's far from a new motor that's full of bugs that need to be worked out. :)

[noremac]

i had the pleasure recently to see the final MKS in person and i can say that its even more impressive than these photos can convey.

there will not be one person, after seeing this car in person that can say that it doesn't compete with the Lexus, Acura, Infinti or Caddy.

I've never been big into the larger segment car, but i was blown away by this car in person.

what i was most impressed with is i got the feeling that the days of sharing of design elements between the Ford and Lincoln division have left the building. This car seems to stand on its own, look like nothing in the product portfolio, and you look at it and know instantly that its a Lincoln, and that it can compete.

[Vitas]

i had the pleasure recently to see the final MKS in person and i can say that its even more impressive than these photos can convey.

How much longer is the overall length of the MKS versus the MKZ?

[noremac]

i didn't have any rulers with me but by the looks of it, it looked as long as a volvo S80

[Vitas]

i didn't have any rulers with me but by the looks of it, it looked as long as a volvo S80

About the same size of the MKZ. That is regressing. Hopefully the new rear wheel drive concept Lincoln will be a full sized 210+".

[Sysanalyst]

About the same size of the MKZ. That is regressing. Hopefully the new rear wheel drive concept Lincoln will be a full sized 210+".

One can only hope... and hopefully a 300+ HP smooth V8 under the hood (maybe even an 5.4L expedition engine).

[Vitas]

One can only hope... and hopefully a 300+ HP smooth V8 under the hood (maybe even an 5.4L expedition engine).

I don’t understand making two Lincolns in a row that are approximately the same size. The second model (if necessary) should be a foot longer, and the “flagship” should be, has to be, a FULL size car. So that I can pack up the car and go to the beach resorts for a weekend, and pack beach chairs, a picnic cooler, and my girl friend’s luggage. Or simply go do a month’s worth of shopping for my mom and fit it all into the trunk.

This Peter Horbury small car routine for Lincoln will never fly.

I posted this afternoon on NewenglandLincolns.com:

They need to make a big bet on a revival of the classic
Lincoln and Continental styling which they used to be famous for!
People recognize my Mark VI as a Continental. They ask, is that a
Continental, is that a Lincoln, etc. Salesmen at Lincoln dealers say
to me, gee I wish Lincoln would make a car like that again.

Great classic Lincoln styling, with modern amenities, and it will
sell like hotcakes.

We need a full sized trademarked styled Continental Mark. That's where the true Lincoln heritage lies.

This only older people buy full sized Lincolns is nonsense Look at how may people here alone appreciate their townies.

Lincoln has to give us styling, as it has, so many times, in the distant past, with modern performance.

[noremac]

its a bit longer than a Z, that was obvious.

[Vitas]

its a bit longer than a Z, that was obvious.

I would like to know, if you can try to accommodate us, the dimensions of the cars involved. Length, wheel base, and width. Z, S, and the flagship. With trunk dimensions.

[v8_dave]

I would like to know, if you can try to accommodate us, the dimensions of the cars involved. Length, wheel base, and width. Z, S, and the flagship. With trunk dimensions.

I got this for the MKZ off msnauto.com. They dont have the MKS though.

MKZ FWD AWD
Number of Doors 4 4
Curb Weight - Automatic (lb.) 3469 3672
Curb Weight - Manual (lb.) No data No data
Wheelbase (in.) 107.40 107.40
Length (in.) 190.50 190.50
Width (in.) 72.20 72.20
Height (in.) 57.10 57.10
Track Front (in.) 61.60 61.60
Track Rear (in.) 61.30 61.30
Cargo Volume (cu. ft.) 15.80 15.80

[AZLincolnMercury]

i had the pleasure recently to see the final MKS in person and i can say that its even more impressive than these photos can convey.

Where did you see it?

[noremac]

i saw it inside a building in dearborn.

i think if you are looking for something as long as the current town car, you won't be happy, rather its maybe a tad longer in appearance than the current 5 series.

trunk seemed rather cavernous though...but i must admit i was spending more time oogling the body stance and the interior craftsmanship than looking inside the boot.

from what i've read online, this is more of a continental replacement, that would dictate that there is yet another larger town car replacement possibly down the road.