2009 Lincoln MKS

2009 Lincoln MKS 2009 Lincoln MKS
First Drive Review

Ford has been beset by tribulations of biblical proportions in recent years, excepting perhaps a plague of locusts. Once one of the world’s most admired and important corporations, its stock has been hammered down to where Ford’s capitalization is about a 10th of Apple’s. And the bad news goes on from there. Among Ford’s many problems is what to do with its ailing Lincoln brand. For whatever reasons—cost, neglect, or both—Ford has starved Lincoln of compelling new vehicles while its competitors (namely, Cadillac) have flooded the market with attractive and competitive rear-drive models that have all but pushed Lincoln out of the luxury category.

Finally, after years of dithering, Lincoln is making a serious attempt to regain its status as a purveyor of luxury automobiles with the MKS, a sedan that’s aimed directly at the so-called mid-luxury segment, in particular targeting such models as the Lexus GS350, Infiniti M35, and Cadillac STS.

Based on the Taurus, but with Convincing Luxury Touches

The MKS is based on Ford’s well-traveled D-platform, which has anchored several Volvo models and is also the basis for the Ford Taurus. According to Ford engineers, this architecture has been substantially modified to increase rigidity, decrease noise, vibration, and harshness, and—most significant—to accommodate an updated multilink independent rear suspension.

As for the MKS’s exterior design, it’s in keeping with current luxo-sedan convention. In silhouette, its look—a truncated hood and deck, an elongated greenhouse, a high tail—is not dissimilar to that of other sedans in its class. What gives it some character is a striking “double wing” grille said to be inspired by the 1941 Lincoln Continental. Subtle modeling defines the beltline, and the brightwork (as chrome-look plastic is more properly called these days) is admirably restrained. The proportions of the car are well balanced, and its styling, although subdued, still manages to suggest the sort of gravitas a car in this class must have.

The interior design is equally low-key. It doesn’t shout luxury, but richness is there in the form of large, well-bolstered seats with just the right degree of firmness and high-quality materials throughout. Lincoln says the leather for the seats comes from Bridge of Weir, the Scottish company that supplied hides for the Continental Mark II 50 years ago. Real wood and a combination of brushed and bright trim are used sparingly to good effect.

The instrument panel is a model of simplicity with large white-on-black gauges. The controls are well placed and reactive to the touch. A worthwhile option is a navigation system that connects with the standard Sirius satellite radio to provide real-time weather and traffic, gasoline prices, and other information. Bundled with Ford’s Sync system, as well as Bluetooth and MP3 connectivity, this is the most advanced and easy-to-use information-technology package on the market, at least for now.

Other interesting technology tidbits include a capless fuel-filling system that will spread to the entire Ford lineup in the coming years, as well as an iPhone-like touch-screen evolution of Ford’s keyless-entry keypad.