Lincoln is debuting its all-new 2009 MKS luxury sedan today at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show with the intention of drawing in a new customer base. Lincoln has priced the 2009 MKS at under $38,000 in an attempt to draw younger buyers into to the Lincoln fold and anticipates that up to 60 percent of the car's buyers will be first-time Lincoln owners -- a good thing for a brand that estimates its primary consumer base is the over-50 crowd.
Styling-wise, the 2009 Lincoln MKS focuses on classic elements rather than latest trends, although you can find a few of those in its lines as well. A double-wing grille marks the front of the car and wraps around through the front fascia to form a high creased beltline. As found on many Lincolns of the past, a swept-up tail covers the rear wheel house -- a classic touch that combines new styling with that of classic models.
Lincoln has redesigned its interior look as well for the MKS, with a symmetrical instrument panel, flow-through center stack with integrated information screen, and a two-piece, padded center console. Lincoln claims the rear cabin is the largest in the MKS' class in head, leg, and shoulder room. A swath of luxury touches, such as heated rear seats, an overhead skylight, and a rear sunshade round are available and are designed to ensure rear passengers are every bit as comfortable as those up front. Bridge of Weir Leather, the same provider that trimmed the Ford Model T, Lincoln Continental Mark II, the Concorde supersonic jet, and the Queen Elizabeth 2 luxury liner, is found covering the seats, while real aluminum and ebony wood (or Olive Ash) accent trim are other classy cabin touches.
The MKS is powered by an all-aluminum 3.7-liter V-6 that is good for a full 270 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. Linked to a six-speed automatic gearbox with a manual-shift option, Lincoln claims the engine will be equipped with gasoline turbo direct injection technology within a year of launch, which will be able to deliver comparable power to an eight-cylinder engine, while delivering better fuel economy. All-wheel-drive is an available option and is able to shift up to 100 percent of the engine's torque between the front and rear wheels to maximize traction, and even from side-to-side in conjunction with the Advance Trac stability system.
Largely based on the Volvo-sourced platform that underpins the Ford Taurus, the MKS' fully independent rear suspension is all-new in design. Vertically-mounted rear shock absorbers are mounted further out on the suspension arms to maximize travel and adjustability, and compliment the front MacPherson struts and L-shaped lower control arms -- also designed with maximum travel in mind. The MKS' standard-issue wheels are 18-inchers, though 19- and 20-inch options in aluminum are available.
Lincoln has also made sure that its new MKS doesn't fall short on technology, by offering a host of advanced features that help keep it competitive in an increasingly tech-savvy market segment. Ford's SYNC Bluetooth-enabled wireless communication system, premium stereo, voice-activated navigation system, Adaptive Cruse Control (ACC), keyless entry and engine start system, Adaptive HID Headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, forward-sensing parking assist, and a rearview camera system are all found in the MKS.
Whether or not the all-new MKS will be able to live up to its goal of attracting younger Lincoln owners remains to be seen, but at least on paper, the car itself seems to have the technical and mechanical prowess to win over buyers in any age segment.
Expect the MKS to start in the $38,000 range when it debuts in dealer showrooms in early 2008.