First Look: 2010 Lincoln MKZ
By Justin Couture, MSN Autos
We’ve known about the revisions for Ford’s 2010 model year Fusion since late October, but Ford has kept its ritzy twin, the luxurious Lincoln MKZ under wraps until now.
For model year 2010 the MKZ has been restyled in the image of Lincoln’s flagship MKS sedan. The MKZ now sports a broad, toothy grille, plus new xenon headlamps with adaptive cornering – the new look is certain to leave a stronger lasting impression than the outgoing design. At the rear, the MKZ’s features a new trunk graced with slim LED tail lights that almost stretch clean from side to side, separated only by the Lincoln cross-hair logo. MKZs also receive new alloy wheels and a Lincoln badge on the front fenders.
In previous years, MKZ customers had two main choices - front wheel drive or all wheel drive. For ’10, there’s a new Sport model, which features firmer springs and dampers, plus thicker anti-roll bars front and rear. Split five-spoke alloy wheels measuring 18 inches in diameter complete the package. It’s a bit unusual to think of a Lincoln sedan as sporty, but keep in mind that it’s based on the Fusion, a midsize sedan that’s no slouch in the bends. In addition to these alterations, Ford’s ride and handling development team altered the placement of the suspensions’ links in order to reduce understeer. The MKZ Sport is available as both FWD and AWD.
Also tweaked is the MKZ’s all wheel drive system. The clutch plates in the all wheel drive system react more quickly to transfer torque in slippery conditions, while the system itself has been looked over to reduce noise and vibrations - all very good things. Despite offering the same amount of power as last year’s model, the new MKZ is now 0.6 seconds faster to 96 km/h than before due to changes in shift patterns, throttle response and heat management in the engine.
One of the most distinctive elements of the previous MKZ was its interior; it had a distinctive, stark 1960s look with browed bins and a near vertical centre stack. This has all changed - the dashboard and console were replaced by a more modern setup that’s in line with the MKS. Lincoln promises that the quality of the MKZ’s cabin is improved – it’s sourced leather from Scottish tannery Bridge of Weird, plus finer quality wood grain trim.
Being a Lincoln, you’d expect the MKZ to come with all of Ford’s latest toys, and indeed it does. The MKZ is now available with a radar-based blind spot monitoring system with Ford’s Cross Traffic Alert, a new touchscreen navigation system, reverse camera and a THX-based sound system. Ford and Microsoft’s Sync multimedia and Bluetooth link system is also standard equipment.
The new MKZ will arrive in dealerships alongside the revised Ford Fusion early next year.
Posted by: Denis | 2009-08-28 2:34:51 PM
I sat in this car, and it's the same old problem, lack of hip room. What North American manufacturers have to get their head around is a seat that gives support and comfort. These seats because of the lack of thigh support puts all the pressure on he lower back and your butt. Thirty minutes on the highway and you have a numb bum. This is just not Ford, it applies to most American manufactured cars. The SUV's are slightly better because you sit higher, therefor less pressure on your thighs. Next disappointment, the transmissions. Please move to a selectronic style transmission where you readily shift through the gears. Going down a hill in my present Lincoln, I pull it into low to save breaking, an it slams the Revs. up to 6000 RPM. That's just plane crazy. One of these days they'll get it right, and people will stop buying imports.
Posted by: michael kors outlet | 2011-11-07 8:10:36 PM
*Cool piercing!*_*