Lincoln Shows Its Interpretation of Modern American Luxury with MKS

Lincoln has just announced a new flagship luxury sedan, the long awaited

MKS. The MKS will sit above the MKZ in Lincoln’s family sedan lineup, and above all Lincolns when it comes to prestige, despite being physically smaller than the Town Car.

The MKS is a modern and handsome looking machine that, contrary to its all-American roots looks quite European. Ford’s chief of design Peter Horbury has given the MKS and Lincoln a new face, and this is it – a divided grille with vertical slats with the brand’s prominent “star” logo taking front and center stage. Many of the MKS’ key styling traits, at least those up front were first seen at the Detroit auto show on the stunning MKR Coupe concept car. Its headlights, side profile and rear end design are very close to the original MKS Concept launched at last year’s Detroit show.

The MKS’ interior looks to be a big step forward over anything Lincoln has made with such high-end amenities as a leather-trimmed dashboard and a sleek new look that’s a big departure from the brand’s previous ’60s and ’70s theme found on the MKZ, MKX and Navigator.

The MKS will share its underpinnings with the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable full-size sedans, which in turn were developed off the Volvo P2x platform that was used first in the previous generation Volvo S80. Ford has had much success with the Taurus and Sable with regards to safety, capturing multiple awards. In terms of suspension, the MKS features a completely new design which should provide a good blend of comfort and handling.

Some of the other neat innovations that the MKS provides that are unique to the Ford brand (and to Lincoln) are a cap-less fuel filler system, plus a cutting-edge take on the classic Lincoln keypad entry. The heat-sensing system is embedded into the door frame, and will illuminate the keypad when it is touched. This will also be the first North American-based Ford product to feature a keyless ignition system. The MKS will also incorporate the Sync system developed by Ford and Microsoft, which provides handsfree Bluetooth compatibility with links for MP3 players as well. The MKS will also show off the brand new corporate navigation system.

One of the big new features for the MKS was supposed to be the launch of the new TwinForce engine, which boasts V8-like power with V6-like fuel economy. This was to be done via direct injection and turbocharged assistance, but this new, high-tech engine won’t arrive right away. From launch the car will be available with one engine, a 3.7-liter V6 shared with the 2008 Mazda CX-9. The engine makes 272 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque, and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. As with all the other vehicles it is related to, the MKS will be available in front or all wheel drive.

The MKS will be a 2009 model year debut, and will arrive sometime during 2008.