All-New Lincoln MKT Pricing to Start at $44,995

Lincoln has released pricing for its new MKT crossover. The front-wheel-driven model comes with a minimum price of $44,995 (including destination). Add 4WD and a premium engine and you have to part with at least US$49,995.

The engines employed are a 3.7-litre V6 that delivers 268hp (197kW) and a 3.5-litre twin turbo V6 EcoBoost with a meaty 355hp (261kW). Mated to the two mills is a SelectShift six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifts sending power to the standard 19-inch Premium Painted aluminum wheels.

The features list reads something like this: rear view camera, 20GB hard drive, adaptive headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, adjustable pedals and a lot more. Buyers can even choose an Elite package that comes with a lot of these add-ons as standard plus other comfort creatures such as blind spot information system and adaptive cruise crontrol. Sales commence this summer.

Source: Lincoln

2010 Lincoln MKT Revealed with Video & 65 High Res Images

Ford has unveiled the new Lincoln MKT, a luxury crossover model from the Detroit premium brand.

The Lincoln MKT is one of the first vehicles to offer Ford's new V6 EcoBoost engine. A 3.5 liter with 355 hp and 350 lb-ft (474 Nm) of torque that provides greater fuel-economy at no cost of performance. The MKT will also be offered with a larger, though less powerful, 3.7 liter V6 Duratec with 268 hp and 267 lb-ft (360 Nm) of torque.

The MKT EcoBoost comes as an all-wheel drive which is optional on the standard MKT as well. The MKT will feature a glass roof, what Ford has trademarked as the Panoramic Vista Roof.

A third row of seats offers a six or seven seat configuration in the MKT along with footrests for the second row passengers to put their feet up while watching the Family Entertainment System's twin 7-inch DVD screens.

Body paint colors are plentiful and include such appetizing sounding options such as Tuxedo Black, Red Candy Tint Clearcoat Metallic and Cinnamon Clearcoat Metallic.

The Lincoln MKT goes on sale in late summer in North America.

Source: Lincoln

Lincoln MKS receives new 3.5L EcoBoost engine

It may say something about the state of automotive technology in North America that Ford is touting direct-injection technology only now when such technologies have been available for years in Europe.

In any case, Ford will be proudly placing its new V6 EcoBoost under the hood of premium brand Lincoln's MKS. The twin-turbo, direct-injection V6 does indeed offer the power of a naturally aspirated V8. With 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque (474 Nm), the V6 EcoBoost is more than comparable to Ford's 4.6 liter V8 by offering increased efficiency and equitable power.

Ford has labeled its turbo-charged, direct-injection technology EcoBoost (there is a 4-cylinder EcoBoost coming too) and it promises that by 2013 about 90 percent of Ford's North American lineup will come with the technology.

The Lincoln MKS, launched last summer, will feature the EcoBoost in its 2010 model. The V6 EcoBoost offers mileage numbers of 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway on the all-wheel drive MKS, a full-sized luxury sedan.

The 2010 MKS goes on sale this summer in North America.

Source: Lincoln

Lincoln Concept C Unveiled in Detroit

A few days ago we brought you news that Lincoln would unveil a mystery concept at the Detroit Auto Show, now the mystery has been solved thanks to the company's unveiling of the new Concept C.

Although we correctly predicted the concept would feature suicide rear doors, we definitely weren't thinking the concept would be a small hatchback that feels kind of French. Up front is the large toothy grille from the recently introduced MKT seven-seat crossover while another key design attribute is the concept's "go kart" stance due to the wheel-at-each-corner design. Lincoln points out that their main objective was to create a "bold front profile, low shoulder, high beltline, wide C-pillar and compact bustle back" in order to have a truly unique appearance unlike anything else in the entry-level luxury class.

While putting the words hatchback and luxury in the same sentence may seem counter intuitive, a quick look at the interior would make you think the two go together like peanut butter and jelly. The bench seats are covered in high quality white leather while chrome detailing and a light gray wood veneer help the concept feel as if it were from the pages of a high-end furniture magazine. Of course being a car of modern times, the company is quick to point out that the concept uses recycled wood and the seats are upholstered in chromium-free leather and filled with soy foam.

Power comes from a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine that produces an estimated 180 horsepower and 180 ft.-lbs. of torque. It is hooked up to Ford's new dual-clutch PowerShift six-speed transmission which allows the concept to return an estimated 43 mpg highway, nearly 25 percent better than what a 2.0-liter Ford Focus can achieve.

Dimensionally the concept is the same overall length as the Ford Focus and is as wide as the Lincoln MKZ / Ford Fusion but only weighs a respectable 2,750 lbs.

Several high-tech systems are built into the concept including SYNC, internet access via Bluetooth enabled phones, and a new in-car companion that features a life-like avatar. The avatar, named EVA, responds to conversational speech and can accesses all vehicle and SYNC functions as well as provide information to the driver. It can even sense a person's mood based on their voice and driving style and then suggest a song from their SYNC library to fit their current situation. EVA can also read you the morning's news, check your e-mail, and even tell you where to get gas based on the car's fuel level, your driving habits, and gas station locations and current prices.

Source: Lincoln