Patrick Norton, from Tekzilla, a weekly online TV program about the latest tech gadgets and news, took the Lincoln MKS out for a spin and put the tech features of the car to the ultimate test when they helped save a lost cat’s life! The car’s Adaptive HID Headlights, which turn with the wheel to provide extra light in the direction you are turning, illuminated a cat wandering around at night and enabled Patrick to avoid hitting the animal. Patrick also gives his opinion on other tech features of the MKS.in the April 30th edition of Tekzilla. http://revision3.com/tekzilla/flowers/ The MKS review starts at 15:29 in case you want to fast forward to check it out.

Photo Credit: Tekzilla

Photo Credit: Stergeron, Ploomy

Stergeron of the Men’s lifestyle blog, Ploomy, jumped at the opportunity to test drive a Lincoln MKS because he wanted to see first-hand what the American auto industry had to offer during these tough economic times. His drive in the Lincoln MKS exceeded his expectations, surprised a few of his co-workers and renewed his hope that the American auto industry will turn around.

“After the car was dropped off, I asked a couple people in the office to come check out the MKS. Both were impressed with the stance of the car. “It looks mean. Look at that grill, it’s a BEAST”, said one of them. The other said, “Wow, it’s not what I expected.” Read into those comments all you want, but I was equally impressed when I first saw the MKS.”

You can read a more in-depth account over at Ploomy and view some cool photos of the MKS. http://www.ploomy.com/2009/05/12/2009-lincoln-mks-review/

Photo Credit: Sean Percival, Manolith

Manolith’s Sean Percival puts the 2009 Lincoln MKS to the test to see if it can stand up to his expectations as a “German-Car Guy”. Check out his video to see what he thought after taking the MKS on a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. http://www.manolith.com/2009/04/24/manolith-test-drive-lincoln-mks/

“Now I should really preface by saying I’m a German car guy. I like my cars like I like my women, fast and efficient. I’m probably not even the right demographic for such a car. Never the less, I was greatly impressed with the MKS.”

Photo Credit: C.K. Sample, Obsessable

Obsessable covers the latest trends in cell phones, digital, cameras, HDTVs and other gadgets so car reviews typically aren’t their thing. However, C.K. Sample couldn’t resist taking the 2009 Lincoln MKS for a drive to test out all the technology this car has to offer. Check out his post to learn more about the tech savvy features of the Lincoln MKS. http://www.obsessable.com/feature/2009-lincoln-mks-test-drive-review/

“As a car, the Lincoln MKS looks pretty slick. When we picked it up in Manhattan and spent that afternoon pretending we were a NY Taxi driver shooting around town, we noticed several heads turning to look at the MKS. Once while parked, a guy crossed the street nearby and shouted out to us, “Nice car!” The MKS handled well and was a comfortable ride, but that’s about as in-depth as our review of the car as a car alone will be. The rest of this review focuses on the technology inside and outside the Lincoln MKS.”

The new 2010 Lincoln MKZ luxury midsize sedan – arriving in dealerships now – is giving Lincoln showrooms another boost after earning a Top Safety Pick rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The new MKZ offers more standard luxury features than its Lexus and Cadillac competitors and further solidified Ford Motor Company’s industry-leading number of Top Safety Picks.

Structurally strong
The structure of the Lincoln MKZ helps it withstand intrusion in many accidents, including the most common frontal and side impacts.

The tailor-welded B-pillars between the front and rear doorframes are stronger at the top of the vehicle – from below the beltline upward – than at the bottom. This helps to channel energy below the level of the occupants. At the torso level and above, the structure helps to prevent intrusion into the passenger compartment.

Front and side-protection elements on the MKZ include:

• The first use on a Ford vehicle of dual-phase, high-strength steel rails on the front end;
• Two energy absorbing foam blocks between the inner door panels and interior trim, aligned with the occupants’ chest and hip ;
• Side-intrusion beams inside the door, anchored at the hinge and latch areas;
• Tailor-welded steel in the B-pillar structure with extra thickness – nearly a quarter inch of solid steel – above the beltline; and
• Front-seat side air bags for front occupants and side-curtain air bags for head protection in both rows.

Segment-exclusive features
The new Lincoln MKZ also offers segment-exclusive features, including:

• First-in-class Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA), which makes navigating traffic and parking lots safer and easier.
• AdvanceTrac® electronic stability control system, which comes standard on all Lincoln vehicles, can predict the vehicle’s intentions using a sensor to detect and measure over-steer and yaw by monitoring the vehicle’s speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When the system senses wheel slip, engine torque is reduced and braking is applied where needed to help keep the car tracking safely on its intended path.
• Optional SYNC® with 911 AssistTM. When a phone is properly paired, turned on and connected to SYNC, the system is ready to assist in placing a call directly to a local 911 emergency operator in the event of an air bag-deploying accident. The key advantage of SYNC 911 Assist is speed, as calls are placed directly to local 911 operators.
• SOS Post Crash Alert System, which activates the horn, emergency flashers, automatically unlocks doors and turns on the interior/puddle lamps when an air bag is deployed. The system activates the emergency flashers when a spinout is detected.

Additional standard safety features on the Lincoln MKZ include:

• Ford’s Personal Safety System®, which includes safety belt pretensioners, load-limiting retractors, dual-stage front air bags, driver-seat-position sensing and crash-severity sensing;
• Ford’s BeltMinder™ system, which chimes and flashes a warning lamp for six seconds every 30 seconds for five minutes or until the driver buckles up, whichever comes first; and
• The LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system, which provides convenient mounting points for compatible child seats.

QUOTES

“Earning a ‘Top Safety Pick’ is great news because the Insurance Institute’s tests are some of the most demanding conducted outside of our own laboratories, and customers increasingly rely on them when choosing a new vehicle.” – Susan Cischke, Ford Group Vice President of Ford Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering

“The new MKZ continues to build on Ford’s leading safety heritage and proves that a high level of safety can come in a midsize package.” – Steve Kozak, Chief Engineer, Ford Safety Systems

“In addition to its top safety rating, the new MKZ is packed with technology, Lincoln’s signature high-end features, class-leading interior quietness, and is unsurpassed in its segment for highway fuel economy.” – Greg Scott, Ford Marketing Manager for Fusion, Milan and MKZ

Over the next decade, Ford Motor Company is planning vehicle weight reductions ranging from 250 to 750 pounds that will help it meet stringent fuel economy targets without compromising vehicle safety or durability. One of the ways Ford has reduced mass in its latest offerings is through the use of light-weight materials such as aluminum and magnesium.

The company’s newest addition, the 2010 Lincoln MKT seven-passenger crossover, is the first mainstream North American vehicle to feature a liftgate constructed from a combination of magnesium and aluminum, which makes the liftgate approximately 40 percent lighter than if it was made from standard steel.

Mastering New Materials
Ford’s body structure technical experts, whose research was presented at SAE International’s 2009 World Congress this week, say one of the keys to maximizing fuel economy through the use of advanced materials is the extensive use of computer-aided engineering (CAE) to select the appropriate material and minimize its thickness without sacrificing durability and structural integrity.

CAE modeling proved essential to the challenging design and development of the MKT liftgate – the largest in the company and possibly the largest thin-walled magnesium closure panel in the North American industry. The die casting process enabled the MKT team to fine-tune the part’s shape in a way that wouldn’t have been feasible in a stamped sheet metal part.

Although magnesium raw material cost is a more expensive material than steel, the team determined that an all-steel MKT liftgate would have been too heavy for available power-lift systems to open, and more complicated and expensive to manufacture than one made of magnesium and aluminum.

In addition, the use of magnesium and aluminum afforded more design flexibility than steel, enabling the MKT’s swept-forward bustle-back styling without sacrificing interior rear-seat headroom. Its materials also allowed for a smooth transition from the liftgate to the bumper, which is uncommon in production vehicles.

Right-sizing Power to Weight
Material experts, body and powertrain engineers expect vehicle weight reduction to account for up to 50 percent of future fuel economy improvements, according to the study commissioned by the Aluminum Association. The study participants also said that replacing heavier materials with light-weight materials is nearly as important as hybrid technology for automakers to meet the expected increase in the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) by 2020.

Weight reduction alone isn’t enough to significantly improve fuel economy. By itself, a 10 percent reduction in weight results in approximately a 3 percent improvement in fuel efficiency. However, if the powertrain is re-matched, the fuel economy improvement increases to roughly 7 percent. Weight reduction combined with powertrain re-matching not only improves fuel economy, but helps maintain overall performance (as compared to a heavier vehicle with a larger engine).

By using magnesium and aluminum instead of steel on the MKT liftgate, the vehicle lost 22 pounds. That, along with other weight saving measures gives the MKT fuel economy among the best in its class.

QUOTES

“The MKT’s liftgate is a breakthrough achieved by our scientific research team, product design team and our supplier, who overcame significant technical challenges to develop it. The use of magnesium and aluminum in the MKT marks a new direction for liftgates and closures in general.” – Randy Frank, Closures Chief Engineer, Ford Product Development

“Because it is cast instead of stamped, we are able to develop variable thicknesses. We did extensive CAE analysis to see how the magnesium would functionally perform in a high impact event and made structural improvements such ribbing for added strength.” – Cindy Wetzel, Design and Release Engineer of Liftgates, Ford Product Development

The Lincoln C concept vehicle is designed for the urban consumer who wants a smaller, more fuel-efficient car that can maneuver easily in congested areas and compact parking spaces. But with features like sustainable materials, in-car connectivity and meticulous detailing, it also brings to life the notion of premium quality in a small package,

The Lincoln C concept vehicle’s unique presence and elegance come from a variety of design elements, including:

• An iconic Lincoln DNA: sheer surfaces bounded by defined creases; a cantilevered roof extending from a strong C-pillar; a confident double-wing chrome grille; full-width tail lamps and rocker brightwork.
• The center-opening doors – a classic Lincoln trait that rekindles memories of the 1961 Continental – allow effortless access to first- and second-row bench seats.
• An all-glass roof provides a modern, futuristic look. The expansive opening illuminates the cabin and enhances the sense of spaciousness inside the car.
• A low shoulder line combines with a strong, high belt line to create a sense of safety and privacy inside and outside of the vehicle.
• An all-white color palette interior — from roof to seats to floor – with subtle chrome accents on the seats, instrument panel, door panels and floor.
• A light gray wood interior veneer – made from recycled wood.
• Luxurious and ergonomic bench seating in the front and back rows crafted from chromium-free leather and filled with soy foam.
• The panoramic instrument panel is divided into three sections and designed with a mixture of digital and analog components. The left side contains Lincoln’s signature HMI menus and driver-related information. The center portion displays a multi-functional screen displaying navigation, SYNC details and a life-like custom avatar to help make everyday journeys more seamless and other helpful, driver-oriented options.
• The roof also features an integrated rearview mirror and a chrome-trimmed Web camera that rotates to the right or left, depending on whether the driver or the passenger is communicating via the Internet.

Quotes

“Modern luxury buyers who live and work in large, urban areas want to play their part in helping the environment by moving to a smaller vehicle, but they still want to enjoy the luxuries of life. The Lincoln C offers sensible indulgence.”
- Peter Horbury, Executive director of Design, The Americas

“While the most luxurious and indulgent products often come in the smallest packages, unfortunately this hasn’t been true of most small cars recently. With the Lincoln C, we’ve remixed the traditional small car formula, taking the most engaging technologies and wrapping them in a design fit for today’s urban luxury customer – without sacrificing style or substance.”
- J Mays, Ford’s Group Vice President of Design

Powered by a sophisticated human machine interface (HMI) and next-generation in-car connectivity features including Ford’s award-winning SYNC technology, an interactive life-like avatar and in-car Internet access.

Ford’s signature HMI system’s integrated platform offers tried-and-true methods of information control – steering wheel switches, touch screens and voice-activation. Useful and relevant information and functionality are immediately available to the driver in a way that is logical, easy to use and completely integrated. For example, the steering wheel controls mimic stereotypical five-way mapping similar to that found on most cell phones and MP3 players, making the system intuitive and familiar.

Customers also get the latest in terms of SYNC-enabled technologies, including hands-free, voice-activated cell phone, text messaging, and digital media player integration as well as security and personalized convenience features such as 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Reports.

Lincoln C’s in-car connectivity goes even further with an avatar – nicknamed “EVA” – that lives on the Lincoln C instrument panel and can take on a personalized visual image and personality. It responds to conversational speech, eliminating the need for menus or learned voice commands. Plus, EVA expertly manages and initiates all vehicle and SYNC-enabled functions and information to the driver.

The Lincoln C concept also offers in-car Internet access, allowing the avatar to surf the Web for the driver and read the morning’s online news headlines or latest restaurant reviews, check e-mail or advise the driver where they can refuel at the nearest gas station.

Quotes

“Before technologies such as SYNC were even crystallized, we knew we had to create a way for people to interface with their vehicle and its myriad technologies and features that was more manageable and limitless in terms of its ability to incorporate new innovations as they come. Our HMI had to create for the auto world what the mouse is to the PC world. The beauty of this system is that the way information is offered encourages you to explore deeper and deeper and discover – without fear or intimidation – just how much the product can do for you.”
- Gary Braddock, Ford’s Group Chief Designer

“Our vision for HMI is to make a customer’s transition from home, to car, to the office and back again be experienced as seamless and uncompromised. We want our vehicles to give you exactly what you need, when you need it and how need it. And, we want to do it in a way that adds emotion, personality and excitement for the customer.”
- John Schneider, Global Chief Engineer Responsible for HMI, Driver Controls and Infotainment

Featuring a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine and Ford’s all-new dry, dual-clutch PowerShift six-speed transmission, Lincoln C achieves a projected 43 mpg on the highway, while offering up an estimated 180 horsepower and 180 ft.-lbs. of torque. And, it bests the Ford Focus, which currently delivers unsurpassed highway fuel economy in its segment when equipped with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine, by nearly 25 percent fuel-economy improvement.

The EcoBoost engine leverages a combination of direct fuel injection technology and turbocharging to deliver significantly improved fuel economy and torque versus a larger displacement engine, while reducing emissions up to 15 percent.

The Lincoln C concept also features Ford’s dual-clutch PowerShift six-speed transmission, which compared to traditional automatic four-speed transmissions, can help reduce fuel consumption by up to 9 percent depending on the application. PowerShift, for example, contributes to an estimated 8 percent uptick in Lincoln C’s fuel efficiency when compared to the current Focus. The lean curb weight of the Lincoln C enables a dry-clutch derivative of Ford’s PowerShift transmission for added efficiency and durability.

The PowerShift offers an improved driving experience. Some of the features include:

• Neutral coast down – The clutches will disengage when the brakes are applied, improving coasting downshifts and clutch robustness as well as reducing parasitic losses for increased fuel economy.
• Precise clutch control in the form of a clutch slip to provide torsional damping of the engine vibration – This function improves noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) at low engine speeds and enables lower lugging limits for improved fuel economy.
• Low-speed driving or creep mode with integrated brake pressure – This function simulates the low-speed control drivers are accustomed to from an automatic transmission. The amount of rolling torque in Drive and Reverse is precisely controlled, gradually building as brake pressure is released.
• Hill mode or launch assist – Prevents a vehicle from rolling back on a grade by maintaining brake pressure until the engine delivers enough torque to move the vehicle up the hill, providing improved driver confidence, comfort, safety and clutch robustness.

Quotes

“Lincoln C demonstrates that a higher degree of engine downsizing as the key to fuel economy improvement, paired with the right technologies, can deliver optimum horsepower, torque and drive-away capability. Plus, when combined with the PowerShift six-speed transmission, the impossible equation becomes perfectly possible: lower fuel consumption, increased power and smoother, more fun-to-drive performance.”
- Andreas Schamel, Chief Engine Engineer with Ford’s Powertrain Research Laboratory

“We know that a central injection system is a prerequisite for future global fuel economy upgrades such as stratified lean operation, homogeneous charge compression ignition or HCCI, and premium injection system technology if the market demands. It’s a value solution that gives us the ability to answer market trends quickly and provide broad market coverage, a key component of the EcoBoost strategy to deliver an affordable, fuel-efficient engine technology at high volumes.”
- Martin Wirth, Ford Direct Injection Gasoline Systems and Combustion technical Specialist

Joining the luxury crossover segment, the 2010 Lincoln MKT features Lincoln’s signature design, roomy three-row interior and intuitive technologies that will make customers’ lives easier – including available Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning with Brake Support, Active Park Assist, Blind Spot monitoring, SYNC – and more.

The Lincoln MKT offers two fuel-efficient engine choices in Ford’s proven 268 horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 or the new 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost™ engine that delivers even more performance with estimated 355 horsepower, without compromising its V-6 fuel economy.

Customers can choose how to best specify Lincoln MKT, which offers:

• Customers’ choice of a standard fixed glass Panoramic Vista Roof™ with power-assisted front and rear sunshades – or the available Power Panoramic VistaTM roof
• Either six- or seven-passenger variations with two different second-row seating configurations. A standard 60/ 40 split folding rear bench seat features heated outboard seating positions. Power “fold and tumble” bucket seats, with heating, cooling and power-assisted lumbar adjustment are also available. A rear console-mounted five-quart-capacity refrigerator is available in the individual bucket seating configuration
• Second-row footrests and an available dual headrest Family Entertainment System with twin 7-inch DVD playback screens offering individual or simultaneous programming
• A multitude of exterior paint colors, including Ingot Silver Clearcoat Metallic, Tuxedo Black Clearcoat Metallic, Red Candy Tint Clearcoat Metallic, Cinnamon Clearcoat Metallic, Steel Blue Clearcoat Metallic, Gold Leaf Clearcoat Metallic, Sterling Grey Clearcoat Metallic and White Platinum Tri-Coat

The Lincoln MKT will be built at Ford’s Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada, and will be in dealer showrooms in late summer, where it will join the all-new Lincoln MKS and new 2010 Lincoln MKZ, further growing the brand’s momentum.

Quotes

“We’re growing Lincoln’s product portfolio with a full-size crossover that offers more of everything luxury buyers want today – including more variety. Lincoln MKT will help us further build momentum for Lincoln, which has been outpacing its luxury competitors and growing market share in recent months.”
- Mark Fields, Ford’s President of The Americas

“The Lincoln MKT strikes the optimum balance between capable and driver-engaging handling, while simultaneously delivering a smooth quiet ride in all three rows. It combines a luxury touring experience with an agile ride and available Class III towing strength, as well.”
- Ron Heiser, Lincoln MKT Chief Engineer