2009 Lincoln MKS

New flagship sedan rolls out this summer

By Nina Russin

2009 Lincoln MKS

The new MKS may be Lincoln’s most important car of the current decade: its fresh design and technology set new standards for the brand. Based on the MKR concept, the sedan is one of a series of production vehicles intended to give Lincoln a sexier, more youthful image.

Chief designer, Peter Horbury, culled the grille from the 1941 Lincoln Continental. A beltline that rises over the rear wheels is another cue from Lincoln’s pre-war era.

But the MKS looks to Lincoln’s future more than its past, with features such as adaptive cruise control, keyless start, adaptive headlamps and  Sync infotainment interface. Ford’s unique keypad entry system has evolved into a heat-sensitive display that illuminates when the driver touches the B-pillar.

The driver unlocks the car by brushing his hand over the display with the key in his pocket, or by entering a numeric code. The advantage of keypad entry is that it gives multiple passengers access: I find it a great convenience when my husband and I travel together to a race or a trailhead.

Advanced safety systems include a body structure that makes extensive use of high-strength boron steel, Ford’s safety canopy, electronic stability control, and an adaptive collapsible steering column. A new forward sensing system alerts drivers about obstacles in front of the car when parking, while an available rear back-up camera with audible assist eliminate blind spots to the back.

At the heart of the car is a 3.7-liter V6 engine based on the 3.5-liter block in the MKX and MKZ. The 273-horsepower engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission: it runs on regular fuel. A capless fuel filler system eliminates a piece of hardware and reduces evaporative emissions. Available all-wheel drive improves the sedan’s wet weather performance.

Fuel saving features such as a two-speed fuel pump and deceleration fuel shut-off enhance gas mileage. A fuel meter in the gauge cluster coaches the driver on fuel-efficient driving. Read the rest of this entry »