Specifications prices Modifications and Image 2011 Lincoln MKS
On outward appearances, the 2011 Lincoln MKS has the potential to battle for the hearts and minds of luxury car buyers. Underneath it all, though, is essentially a re-skinned Ford Taurus. That's a fine car, but not enough was done in the transformation from Taurus to MKS to warrant such a significant price jump, let alone choosing this Lincoln instead of any number of pure-bred luxury sedans. This year's minor feature additions do little to improve the MKS's standing.
Last year, Ford's twin-turbo "EcoBoost" engine debuted in the MKS lineup, giving buyers an engine choice that handily outperforms the base V6. However, when you consider that the considerably cheaper Ford Taurus SHO is essentially the same car underneath, and even makes an additional 10 horsepower, the EcoBoost model suddenly doesn't seem all that special. Further souring the deal is the car's lackluster handling and interior materials.
Like the Taurus, though, the 2011 Lincoln MKS benefits from a genuinely spacious interior, a long list of standard features and a gigantic trunk. Indeed, if you didn't know the Taurus existed and ignored the MKS's myriad competitors, the MKS would be a pretty nice car. But the reality is that the MKS is a rather middling choice. Instead, we think most luxury sedan shoppers would be happier with an Acura TL, Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac CTS or Hyundai Genesis. And if you're considering the EcoBoost model, a similar amount of money could likely get you into more refined sedans like the Jaguar XF and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. In short, it takes more than a tarted-up Taurus to do battle with some of the world's best all-around sedans.
MKS is offered with two audio technology choices: standard is a THX II Certified car audio system with AM-FM-CD6/DVD/MP3 capability, 10-speakers, SIRIUS satellite radio, an auxiliary jack and a USB port. The optional navigation system includes an internal hard drive for map and point-of-interest information storage, THX II Certified car audio system with 14 strategically aimed premium audio speakers and HD Radio technology. In addition, a SIRIUS Traffic and SIRUS Travel link subscription is included with the navigation system, providing coast-to-coast weather date, forecasts, fuel prices, sports scores, movie listings and more.
The available navigation system also enables you to display personal photos on the center stack-mounted touch screen. The system can store and display up to 32 photos, sized 1.5MB or less. The home screen can be personalized by display, desired information, or photos in one-two-or three panel views.
Both audio technology choices feature an internal Jukebox hard drive for storage of up to 150 hours of recorded audio entertainment. Users can browse the Jukebox via touch or voice control. Gracenote technology will display the CD cover when a selected track is playing.
On the inside, the meticulously detailed 2011 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost delivers a precision-crafted environment resplendent in premium leather trim real aluminum and metal accents. Elegant, flowing surfaces create the feeling that the interior has been sculpted, rather than constructed. The flow-through center stack is topped with an integrated information screen that also serves as the screen for the optional navigation system. The entire top of the dash is covered in premium leather, and a wide piece of real aluminum with carbon fiber-like swirls rides the dashboard from one end to the other.
A philosophy of ‘guilt-free luxury’ means Lincoln MKS strives to use materials and processes that reflect the finer things in life, but not at the expense of the world around it.
An example is the leather for the seats by Bridge of Weir, the same Scottish company that supplied hides for the iconic Continental Mark II, was chosen for its high quality and its organic, chromium-free tanning methods.
Lincoln comfort seats, developed for the MKS, feature side bolster supports designed for spirited driving. The standard heated and cooled, 12-way power driver and front passenger seats offer four-way lumbar for added comfort on long drives. Rear seat passengers also enjoy a luxury experience as they have standard heated rear outboard seats. Recessed into the front and rear door openings, cleverly designed hidden rocker panels allow for a low step-over height, making it easier to enter and exit. This design helps shield the rockers from the elements, reducing the likelihood of soiling shoes or trousers when entering or exiting the car. Grab handles above each door further help when entering or exiting.
Standard features inside and outside the new MKS EcoBoost, not mentioned above, include adaptive HID headlamps, foglamps, heated power remote sideview mirrors, easy fuel Capless fuel filler, sporty, leather-wrapped, tilt-telescoping steering wheel with cruise-control, audio and Bluetooth buttons, two-driver memory for seats/sideview mirrors, steering wheel, leather/chrome stick shifter, dual-zone electronic auto climate control, push button start/stop, ambient lighting, all express power windows/door locks, self-dimming reaview mirror, dual lighted vanity mirrors, a center console with dual cupholders, deep storage bin and sliding leather padded armrests, easy-to-see, chrome ringed instrument cluster, all dials, switches and levers within easy reach and fully illuminated, dual panel electric sunroof, storage slots in the doors, map pockets behind the front seats, reading lamps in the rear, pull-down center armrest and dual cupholders in the rear, a rear pass-thru for longer storage items, remote trunk release, thick cut-pile carpeting and front/rear floor mats.
The red candy metallic tined clear-coat paint is a $495.00 option and really sparkles and draws attention to the beautifully detailed and sculpted exterior design of the MKS EcoBoost with its coupe-like profile, split-wing Lincoln signature front fascia with sculpted lens clusters, lower air intake, scalloped hood, deeply raked A-pillars, full-perimeter greenhouse chrome strip, side roof mounted chrome strip, pull-out door handles, flared fenders, deep side extensions, fast rear glass, a short trunk lid with integral lip spoiler, large rear lamp clusters, a bold rear bumper and dual, 3 inch wide, polished stainless steel dual exhaust tips. From any angle, the new MKS EcoBoost speaks sleek, sexy luxury and high-performance.
The MKS is built on the same basic D3 architecture as the new Ford Taurus, which was in turn derived from a Volvo platform. The overall look is meant to draw on design elements from vehicles as old as the 1941 Lincoln Zephyr, without looking retro.
The 2011 Lincoln MKS comes in three trim levels: FWD, AWD and EcoBoost. The FWD and AWD models come standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, foglights, rain-sensing wipers, heated power sideview mirrors with memory, integrated blind-spot mirror and auto-dimming on the driver side, automatic adaptive xenon headlamps, automatic high beams, keyless entry/ignition and a slick version of Ford's venerable touchpad entry system that's embedded in the base of the B-pillar.
Both FWD (front-wheel-drive) and AWD (all-wheel-drive) trim levels share the same powertrain, a 3.7-liter V6 matched to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift control and paddle shifters. This engine generates 273 hp and 270 pound-feet of torque with regular unleaded, but filling up with a premium boosts power to 275 hp and 276 lb-ft. We managed a sluggish 7.5-second sprint from zero to 60 mph in an AWD test car with this engine; expect the lighter front-wheel-drive model to shave a couple tenths off that time. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 17 city/24 highway mpg and 19 mpg combined with FWD and 16/23/19 with AWD.
The all-wheel-drive EcoBoost model is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that makes 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. The EcoBoost is considerably quicker and actually gets better fuel economy at 17/25/20. However, premium fuel is recommended for the EcoBoost engine.
The SPACE system integrates a hydroformed high-strength steel tube embedded in the floor that runs the width of the vehicle from B-pillar to B-pillar and along the rocker panels to form a safety cage to help protect passengers in side-impact incidents. Also included is the enhanced Personal Safety System combining multiple technologies to help tailor the airbags and seatbelt functions to each individual passenger and the particular accident circumstances. The system can identify variables, such as severity of the crash, weight of the individual passenger and seatbelt usage to adjust deployment force.
Standard safety features include AdvanceTrac electronic stability control with Brake Actuated Traction Control, dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags and side curtains, safety canopy an exclusive side-impact protection system employing side curtain airbags to help protect front and outboard rear passengers in both rollover and side-impact crashes, dual front seatbelts with pretensioners/load limiters, 3-point seatbelts for all rear passengers, tire pressure monitoring system, SOS Post-Crash Alert System flashes signal lights and sounds the horn in the event of an accident, and the LATCH system for child seats.
With a base price of just $48,160.00 and $56,980.00 fully loaded, the new 2011 Lincoln MKS is one of the world’s best looking and best luxury equipped sport sedans. It has it all to enjoy the ride and the interior luxury, convenience and high-tech amenities.
reference:www.automotiveaddicts.com,www.edmunds.com/,www.leftlanenews.com
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