Chronicling the Ever-Changing Automotive Industry
Ford dropped a bomb on the hybrid car market earlier this year with the introduction of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. Just to enlarge the size of the crater, they’ve announced that its base MSRP will be the same as the gasoline version of the MKZ, at $35,180. While not an insubstantial amount of money, it’s the first time a hybrid variant of a car hasn’t carried with it a multi-thousand dollar price hike.
Continue reading ‘Surprise! Hybrid Lincoln MKZ Price matches Gas version’
I’ve written about the upcoming 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid before, and even speculated on its gas mileage. Now it’s official! The EPA has run the new luxury hybrid through its paces, and certified it at 41/36 mpg city/highway. Those numbers match the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, its Ford-branded sister car.
Continue reading ‘Certified: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Gas Mileage’
In a press conference this afternoon with Ford’s president of the Americas, Mark Fields, it was announced that the Mercury brand, in existence for the past 71 years, will be shuttered at the end of this calendar year. According to Ford, this allows them to enhance the Lincoln brand, with Lincoln-specific powertrains and vehicles, without straining the resources of the Ford brand itself, which has seen major growth in sales, customer satisfaction, and reliability over the past few years. Read on for more details.
Continue reading ‘Breaking News: Ford confirms rumors of Mercury shutdown’
For many years now, there have been hybrids. Each year, more and more automakers strap hybrid drivetrains to existing cars, and some even create new cars to host the hybrid goodies. Honda and Toyota have become famous for their hybrids. Then, something interesting happened; these same automakers started putting their hybrid drivetrains in more upscale vehicles. Lexus had a hybrid version of its very popular RX SUV and LS luxobarge. While the regular cars scored high marks for frugality, the luxury hybrids were more performance-oriented. So what’s going to happen when Ford takes its award-winning hybrid formula, used in the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, and mixes it with the Lincoln MKZ?
Continue reading ‘Preview: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid’
It has long been known that Ford competes directly with Chrysler and GM. After reading a press release on their new “Noise Vision” technology, I have to wonder if Ford isn’t aiming far higher than its domestic rivals, at least in one aspect of their vehicles. Ford’s new technology allows engineers to “see” the sounds intruding on a car’s passenger compartment and subsequently engineer those sounds out. More details following the jump.
Continue reading ‘Tech: Ford's "Noise Vision" Technology’
In the interest of full disclosure, this review was completed on the author’s own 2009 Lincoln MKS.
In mid-2008, Ford introduced the 2009 Lincoln MKS. It is to be Ford’s halo car in the American car market. Built off of a modified Volvo S80 platform, which is also shared with the 2010 Ford Taurus, the MKS is the technology-laden car that is supposed to pull Lincoln into the 21st century. While some will argue that it is the successor to the Lincoln LS, which was discontinued after the 2006 model year, I believe that the smaller Lincoln MKZ actually follows more in the LS’ footsteps. That begs the question of where in the Lincoln lineup the MKS is supposed to fit. It’s got front wheel drive, unlike the Town Car and LS. Unlike the MKZ, It also has comparable front seat room to the Town Car, while being a few inches shorter in the rear leg room department. Rumors abound though, that the 2010 or 2011 model year will be the Town Car’s finale. Add to that the sporty intentions of the MKS (with optional 20″ wheels), and it is a true quandary as to where exactly it fits into the Lincoln lineup. For right now though, the MKS is Lincoln’s flagship car.
Continue reading ‘Review: 2009 Lincoln MKS’
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