Lincoln introduced their MKS "flagship" sedan based on the Five Hundred Taurus platform at the LA auto show today. A day late, two cylinders and at least 60 horses short and sporting a prow that would look more at home on a 4-8-2 Mountain Type Steam Locomotive, this Towncar replacement represents the status quo more than the Way Forward. Fit and finish is higher than the standard Ford fare but the beancounters in Dearborn are still well employed, making sure that not all the plastics are tactile rewards. We might excuse the ill-fitting exterior panels and parts installed backwards (assist handles were not installed the same in the two cars shown, so one must be wrong) if this were a prototype instead of the cars they're using to strut their stuff. Unfortunately, though, it looks like business as usual in Detroit.
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Light years better interior than the MKZ, but just average in the class, the # of cylinders doesn’t bother me as much as the lack of power. 270 hp?? Starting at $38000?? The GDI engine should have been ready at launch.
BTW, I priced out one at Lincoln.com, fully loaded AWD = $48,000.
Basically its Lincolns answer to the Acura RL, but we knew that already.
Wow. This is unthinkably, inexcusably, unexplainably bad. I really can’t get over how bad it is.
It’s not just the looks – Pontiac in the front, Passat in the side, and old Infiniti Q in the rear. It’s not that I’d rather have an Infiniti M for a little more, a CTS for a little less, a Passat for a good amount less, or an Accord or Legacy for way less. No, it’s that I’d rather even have a Sable out of the same friggin’ dealer.
By the end of the model year these will be going for $10k under sticker or more.
Take a look at the interior shots at Autoblog’s gallery. Look at the cheap plastic that forms the center console. It’s a grade below the stuff in the new Accord.
(assist handles were not installed the same in the two cars shown, so one must be wrong)
Someone should get their pink slip for that…really.
Well at least the prow doesn’t resemble a cetacean to as great an extent as the showcar on which it is based. And, uh, well that’s all the nice things I have to say.
The worst part is that despite its flaws, it’s a step up from the neglect Lincoln’s been getting the past decade or so. The proportions are good enough, but I wish they hadn’t felt the need to melt down all the sharp edges. It’s sloppy where the CTS is tight.
Blah, and this is coming from someone who likes the jeep Compass, blah.
Making a new Town Car is easy. Just copy the look of the 1991-1995 2nd Gen Town car. The best looking one IMO and add in modern features. Don’t make another slope-y hood, high deck lid luxo bomb.
One of the other car book sites said that Lincoln sales have been up for several months. I can’t for the life of me understand how. This steaming “pile” is so unworthy of the (once) great Lincoln nameplate. And this from a long time Lincoln admirer and collector. Wouldn’t a refresh of the LS platform, with a good looking new body, have been the right way to go? If this monstosity is part of “the way forward” strategy, Fomoco is toast.
One of the other car book sites said that Lincoln sales have been up for several months. I can’t for the life of me understand how. First the hideous probiscus on the refreshed Navigator, and now this.
This steaming “pile” is so unworthy of the (once) great Lincoln nameplate. And this from a long time Lincoln admirer and collector. Wouldn’t a refresh of the LS platform, with a good looking new body, have been a better way to go? If this monstosity is part of “the way forward” strategy, FoMoCo is toast.
People who are buying Lincolns love them. The 08 MKX has enough improvements on the interior that it is infinitely nicer than the 07s. I can’t wait for the restyled 09 MKZ, hopefully a new interior. And don’t forget, there’s a new 7 passenger Lincoln cross over coming in a year also, built off the Ford Flex but with totally different styling.
The Buick Lucenre better sleep with one eye open from now on.
Sorry, dwford, but I just can’t get excited about this or any other Lincoln. Out of the gate, Lincoln is comparing the MKS to the STS and RL, which are at the bottom of their class, in terms of attractiveness and sales. I think that tells you something. People are just not going to see this Lincoln as worth $40K.
That MKX (chromy Edge)thing Lincoln has is a Murano copy, 4 years too late. The MKX (chromy Fusion) is not in the same league as the G35 or even the ES330. And the Nagrivator, Town Car and that spangly F150 are just plain sad.
Jill Wagner herself couldn’t drag me into a Lincoln/Mercury dealer.
Speaking of the Lucerne (ajla) does the MKS, at least in this photo, not remind anyone of the Lucerne? To me, they seem very similar – greenhouse shape, long hood with huge grille, just a little too curvy to make a statement…seems scarily similar.
And I’m with SherbornSean, I really doubt that this thing will sell well @ north of $40k per. That’s territory occupied by some awfully nice cars that’ll no doubt exceed this thing in just about every category.
Macca:
The MKS is Ford filling the gaping hole that GM left open between the Lucerne and DTS.
Seniors have how many cars built for them now? 6?
In its current state (no turbo), the MKS is a good alternative over an M35 or RL. Question is, how many of those less desirable imports leave the showroom, and how many of those buyers are gonna go with an unknown quantity like Lincoln?
I wouldn’t be surprised if the MKS will need Town Car levels of discounts ($10,000+) to sell. Except the Town Car has/had a loyal following and cohesive styling that isn’t a ripoff of a Jag XF and Quattroporte…
And the Town Car has a V8. Sure it only has 239hp, but you step on the throttle and the torque and intake roar are distinctly American. That’s why you buy a Lincoln.
The MKS may not be unique or Lincoln-y, but at least its not badge engineered. It won’t wind up like the Mark LT.
I’m sure none of the body panels are common with the Taurus/Sable and it has different suspension tuning, more sound deadening, and better interior materials/design but I doubt most people will recognize this as more than a tarted up Sable, especially with them side by side in the dealership. They have the same basic shape and identical proportions. Forget the RL, the Sable is this cars #1 competitor and it is going to lose that battle to 3 out of the 4 customers who show up to buy a Lincoln/Mercury at each dealer every month.
Also, improperly assembled show car?
Wow…they would have been light years ahead had they kept the LS platform and developed it instead of using the Taurus/Sable platform for this…thing.
In its price range most of its competitors are rear wheel drive and offer much more. I wish them luck selling them without huge incentives.
Bring back the Vic ….
To SherbornSean:
You may not like the current Lincolns (eg MKX and MKZ)but they are selling well.
Lincoln sales have been increasing 13 months straight and +14% for the year. Granted it is off a small base–but progress is progress and they will move 140K+ units in 2007. I would also point out that recent Lincoln entries have achieved stellar quality rankings and the Lincoln dealership experience is consistently rated in the Top 5. Net—Lincoln is providing an alternative to those who cannot deal with Euro quality and don’t want to be seen as a Lexus lemming.
The MKX alone will sell between 35-40K units this year against a forecast of 30K. NOTE: the price point of the MKX typically equipped reaches the $40K threshold as well
The MKX sales rate has come with little incentives other than some decent financing and lease rates. Some thought the MKX would bomb in the face of the Lexus RX, new Acura MDX, and Infiniti…let alone the Enclave and Caddy SRX.
All I know is My 2007 MKX has been great. Blows the doors off my former POS X5 that knew my BMW dealer—ummm I mean center—all too well.
As far as the MKS—I think it will be another solid entry for Lincoln and get them closer to being in the game. For those that think the only way they will move massive incentives—-I point you to the MKX example above.
As far as the MKS—I think it will be another solid entry for Lincoln and get them closer to being in the game. For those that think the only way they will move massive incentives—-I point you to the MKX example above.
No doubt the MKX is a surprise hit by Lincoln’s lowered standards, but its pretty mediocre compared to the Lexus RX. I think a lot of the MKX’s hit factor is the JFK-Continental grille (love it or leave it, and that works) and somewhat Lincoln-ish styling/luxury on a catchy CUV platform.
The MKS sedan? A hybrid of lousy, un-American styling elements on an Acura RL worthy chassis. I wouldn’t hold my breath on its success.
The MKZ? Is it really doing well? I expect the MKS to follow the MKZ, even if its not badge-engineered.