If I were Bill Ford, fire Alan Mullaly and Peter Horbury and enlist up and coming hungry designers to bring f-l-m back from the dead.I design cars myself and as a young black man I can make Ford look like a start up company. I am alot smarter than Mullaly and those dreaded designers they have.If Ford was smart stop concepts and put out cars people want. they have too much over head thats why there is no profit the board of directors is holding that company back

MKS is a great looking car, but is available with rear wheel drive?

You are missing the point. I don’t care how my HP it has as long as it performs. Taking 8 seconds to get to 60 MPH and only achieving 16/23 MPG for the AWD is poor performance — plain and simple (the MKS has to be the slowest car with 270 HP on the market today). The S80 v8 has 40 more HP (and 50 more lb.ft or torque) , is much quicker and gets the same MPG. If the MKS had significanlty better fuel efficiency then I could live with the poor performance — but it does not. FMC know they have a performance problem — why else would they be coming out with the 3.5L Eco.

Love the new MKS commercial and the correlation to it being a spaceship..However it is less than factual as one thing that all spaceships have in common is that they are fast. At 8 seconds to 60 the MKS is more akin to a barge…. But even though it is pathetically slow it does at least burn fuel at the rate of a spaceship… Can’t wait to see how they mess up the twin turbo version.. It will have 350 HP and probably get to 60 in 7 seconds. Pretty sad..

is everyone living in the same century as me. The car gets 24 mpg on the highway and 273 horses. Oh never mind i need a rwd v8 so i can spend 450 bucks a month at the gas station to get 20 - 30 more horses so i can out run the cops, get real!!!!. this car should and will be a success.

Fred….that is the problem with FMC — there is always something coming…. in this case it is the engine that the car should have had from the beginning. 8.6K pre-orders is not going to save Lincoln — niether is 36K per year. The thing that I don’t understand is how they always seem to extract less from more…. The fuel efficiency of the 3.7L is only equal to the 4.4L V8 in the S80 but its much, much slower. In the MT review they estimate the 0-60 times at 7.9 seconds (other initial reviews peg it as being in the 7s) — on the otherhand the 4.4L S80 sprints to 60 in the mid 5 second range. I have seen estimates on the 3.5L EB (with its 340 HP) which only provide 0-60 times in the mid 6 second range (again — slower than its current competition). This is Lincoln dropping the ball, again — they needed to beat the competition out of the shoot — not promise improved performance down the road…and what’s with the late availability of the 20 inch rims — doesn’t say much for lincoln if it takes them close to a year (from the time the car was announced in 11/07 to the time you will be able to get them (9/08). to bring them to market. My wife I both own Lincolns (LS and MKX) — and the MKS was to be my next purchase (was) –but I’m sick of all these false starts.

This looks great, EcoBoost is comming ina few more months (Jan. 2009) and it offers an AWD so what if it is not a RWD. AWD is better than RWD.
Lincoln has 8.6k preorders now, this car means the comeback of Lincoln.

Not to put down FoMoCo although I love them, the taillights look like they came off the brand new impreza sedans. Also put the EcoBoost V6 in a Ranger with a 6speed manual, then it will be a really fun truck.

For the guy that said that this car could be like a lexus or acura, body this is way ahead that. it is beautiful thats the way lincoln.

Wow — seams that interest in the MKS has dried up already. No posts since 3/25.
FMC — here is a hint 1) Don’t launch a car 9 Plus months before it will be available, 2) Don’t launch it with an underpoweredengine and finally 3) Don’t launch tell people about the Eco-Boost engine (the one that the car should have been launched with) 18 months before you can own one.
By the way the much touted 20″ wheels won’t be available for production until October — almost a year after they started making a big deal about them. Doesn’t say much for FMC when it takes them a year to procure wheels.. They have even taken them off the MKS sight as an orderable optin. Well done….

Can anyone confirm if the MKS is delayed? Spoke with my LM dealer and he told me that they would not be seeing one until late August. Just for kicks I called 3 other nearby dealers and was told as late September.
Also has anyone heard when the EcoBoost engine would be available for order? Ford’s criptic “within a year of launch” could put it as far out as next fall is deliveries don’t begin until August/September.

Looked at and sat in an MKS at a local dealership. It was a pre-production model, but the workmanship was very good with tight gaps and tolerances. Very impressed with the quality of the interior materials. Style of the car is very classy, unlike the critical write-up in Automobile magazine a couple of months back (what was he smoking?). Hardly a hint of hard plastic in sight or feel. Nicely sized trunk, though access is through a very small trunk opening. Engine compartment looks nice and tidy. The car, White Suede with Camel leather, is a very nice color combo. Think of the MKS as the Continental replacement. Still awaiting the Town Car replacement. Thinking of dumping my ‘07 DTS for an MKS when the lease is up in March of ‘09, though the seats aren’t quite as cushioned and comfy in the MKS (I love the seats in my DTS, even though they offer little in lateral support, but are far superior to those in the Lucerne). According to the specs, the MKS 3.7L V-6 will have substantially more power than the forthcoming 3.9L V-6 with the old 4 speed auto. that’s slated for the ‘09 Lucerne. Have to drive the MKS first. If it’s extremely refined, quiet, and smooth, I’ll be sold.

If Lincoln wants to make their vehicles even more “green,” consider using nicely stained and finished renewable bamboo veneer inside the cabin instead of traditional hardwoods. Look at the current offerings in bamboo flooring to get inspiration. Bamboo is very durable and the traditional hardwoods could still be offered as an extra cost option.

Lincoln has finally woken up. This car looks like it could be a Lexus or Acura. Great sleek design which is unusual for recent Lincolns. Hopefully, it has the quality of a Lexus and Acura too.

I read the article in the March issue of “Automobile” and find it much too harsh. The same columnist critiques the Cadillac CTS Coupe in April’s issue and he loves that car.

Still, I think the center console on the MKS could use some dressing up in wood as the current design looks too much like plastic. Also the optional wood door accents should be made standard to dress up the door panels.

I hope the seats in the MKS sit high like those in the current Taurus and Sable. I hate competing for views with SUVs and trucks.

I also hope the six-cylinder engine doesn’t sound like a six. If it doesn’t have an expensive growl like a Jaguar, it shouldn’t be heard at all.

I couldn’t agree more with the last comments. The concept of the MKS was better, esp. the rear. Ford and Lincoln Esp. need to learn people like a name, not a number on an American car. Numbers are for BMW’s, Benz’s and the like. American car buyers want a nice hearty word to say when declaring their vehicle, not just a wimpy C230 . I was just about to buy a Zephyr when the changed it. Look at the Five Hundred. Even spelling out the numbers wasn’t enough to sell it. Now, the Taurus is everywhere again. It’s concepts, especially Lincoln’s should be built as shown. Exactly. The bold, aggressive modernity is what people are crying for. Originality with style and convenience in an American package.

I disagree on the naming. Take a look at all the new Caddillac’s

The MKS is nice and I’m sure it will get looks from people who usually buy European or Japanese Luxury, but it’s no replacement for the Town Car. The Town Car, at least for me, is the definition of traditional American luxury. You can see clear routes to the Lincolns and Cadillacs of the 60s and 70s with it’s straight lines and leather and chrome, even an available vinyl roof. Lincoln took criticism for making the Town Car too round back in 1998 and straightened it out for 2003, I think that they’ll get the same criticism if they drop the Town Car and replace it with this.

Ford should, if they must, replace the Town Car with something based off the Intercepter concept and the Continental concept of a few years ago. Also make a Mark IX based off the concept from a few years ago and use the GT500 chassis and power plant to compete with Cadillac’s XLR. Toss in a new Cougar based off the Mustang while you’re at it, too.

P.S. Why the name MKS? What happened to actual names? I know the purpose is to get people to recognize it as a “Lincoln” and not a “Town Car” or a “Continental”, for example. But it makes the car feel cold and, well, like just a car.

I own an ‘04 Ls. I will only buy another Lincoln if it has rear wheel drive.

This is definately one of the most positive things to come from Lincoln in a long time. It’s beginning to show some direction and future. I currently drive a Lexus GS, because Lincoln had nothing to sell me in a decent car, and this new vehicle will definately get me bacvk to look and drive a Lincoln! Keep pushing Alan!

This car looks to be a very nice replacement for the Continental. I will definitely look at it when I replace my ‘07 DTS next year. I wish the Town Car was still in the running, but without serious updates, I cannot consider it as yet. Ford needs to revise both the Town Car and Grand Marquis to remain competitive in the full-size market. Rumor has it that Cadillac will combine the STS and DTS into a new rwd model. I appreciate low levels of NVH and high levels of refinement. I’m past the age where I got a thrill by feeling every little bump in the ill-maintained road and hearing noisy and hard-riding performance tires whine and moan over any less than perfect road surface (I’ve had a BMW and a Q45 that did these things too well). Lincoln and Cadillac should have at least one model that remains true to their roots and satisfies the comfort requirements of their older and loyal clientele. Hopefully the MKS and the next Town Car will satisfy these requirements.

Lincoln dropped the ball in the 90s with the Continental. the 96 anniv edition was a great ride. I have owned two of them over the past six years, the last bought used with 60k, now has 130k. reg trans service and mobil1 have withstood driving the balls off the car. I drive it like I stole it! Doesn’t leak, doesn’t burn. I love the 4.6 engine. it’s the perfect ride for family vacations and for me as a daily driver.

Sadly, the little things killed it for me in 98s and up. the interior was changed ever so slightly, but with CHEAP components. window, radio buttons; UGLY chrome rimmed analog clock. std ride control became optional. no wonder it was discontinued by 2002. the LS had the same butt ugly interior components. Like makeup on a pig, it’s still UGLY inside. (I kinda liked the LS exterior).

none of the new models speak to me like my 96 continental. still has the best looking dash in an american car, and still better than many foreign models, too. I’m getting old, 37, but not THAT old. one kid in college this year, just need another 50k or so from my Continental and Lincoln has prob seen the last of me.

I’m thinking I’ll hold out for used Cayman or maybe a Maserati 2dr. American makers don’t know good stuff when they make it. one last jab - Ford also blew it with the SHOs. first they neutered it, taking away the five speed, then they just dropped it. [insert your Red Foreman's fav insult here]

camry

I think you have a valid point here….

As a young professional and owner of a BMW 3 series, the Lincoln MKS is the first vehicle in the lineup I’ve seen that I would consider buying. I like the Eco-boost engine, and the exterior styling is sleek and classic; the interior is simple - but quality materials are a must. I like the lines suggestive of foreign vehicles, which is a good step as many foreign-made cars sell very well in the US (especially in the Washington, DC area where I live). Lincoln needs a small, premium car though to compete with the BMW 3 series and its many equivalents (Mercedes C-class, Lexus IS, Cadillac CTS, etc). The MKZ is ok, but looks like something I wouldn’t consider unless I was 55 or older. I’m not sure exactly what market Lincoln is competing for — is it higher end luxury/performance (Mercedes) or higher end performance/sport (BMW), or is it a uniquely Lincoln market?

Check out page 24 of the March issue of Automobile magazine….. The MKS gets slammed. And the funny thing is the article does not even mention the car’s under powered engine. Lincoln reps have stated that the L.A Autoshow press on the MKS was fantastic — this article paints a different picture.

read it…and i am a subscriber …BUT…way over the top negative..and if nothing else you cant say the interior is cheap…if Lincioln has done only one thing right lately its interior design and quality and they have the awards to back it up..and the word is they have made the MKS even more quality conscious than the MKZ, MKX and Navigator which are all quality finished interiors.

How would you know how the MKS would drive before practically anyone else has?

If you are looking at the MKS as an LS replacement you WILL be disappointed with its piggish handling lazy acceleration. One would be wise to either wait for the EcoBoost (and its accompanying sports suspension/transmission upgrade/SYNC upgrade) which you will be able to order beginning in November (January job 1) or consider another brand.

I have 5 vehicles, all 2007 or newer and the new MKS is definitely on the list to add to the collection. I have an 08 Navigator and the ONLY thing I disliked was the fact it has over 100 hp less than the Escalade but at Z plan prices I can live with it. The MKS finally gives lincoln something to compete with the 3 series and the CTS as well as the imports like the G35 sedan. Great job!

Actually, the MKS is about the size of the 5-series, Mercedes-E Class, and Cadillac STS. The MKZ is a 3-Series and CTS competitor.

The MKS looks great! The concept MKR better… and now the MKT. Looks like it should be on a launching pad ready for take off. Hope they build them both.

You guys are crazy. You do not have to buy a foreign car to get a “good” car. I love the looks of this Lincoln. It’s big, roomy and I would say has a great ride. Not everything foreign is great, remember who started all this car business the USA.

The mks has a lexsus look to it in order to compete with the foriegn luxury market. Lincoln should look to continuosly compete with Caddilac, BMW, Mercedes, and other Japapnese luxury brands. Lincoln adopted the extended version of the Navigator L in order to compete with the Cadillac Escalade ESV, or just a fancy suburban. Lincoln needs to use a chassis from the Jaguar line up with rwd and an optional V8 engine. The LS was based off the Jaguar S-type platform and engine. Why not do the same with the Mks and Mkz. Performance cars have rwd, not awd. Have you ever seen a BMW with fwd? I haven’t. Quality and design are great on all lincoln models. Performance, slacking. Ford needs to offer different V8 engines for its suv line up. GM has been the number one automotive manufacturer for some 75 years, give or take. They are doing something right. If it wasn’t for politicians giving foriegn automakers like Toyota tax breaks, the United States would be leading the world. Next thing you know, the presidential motorcade will have Honda C-RV’s and Toyota Sequoias.

you think there aren’t any sporty cars without rwd? How about Audi and quattro? not to mention the new R8 awd super car. Who said awd drive can’t be sporty. Audi doesn’t think so. And neither does Porsche or BMW

I’m sorry this Taurus oh I’m sorry ” MKS ” is like imports LEXUS wannabe . I think Lincoln should aim at Mercedes , BMW , and Audi not Lexus . THIS CAR WILL NEVER REPLACE THE LEGENDARY TOWN CAR .

you are correct…the MKS is based on the Volvo platform…. but I believe the Taurus/Sable is also based on the Volvo platform…either way, it looks like a great car and scew all these Buick wannabes

lol His name is anonumous, so imagine that when I see him spew irrelevant garbage. The MKS is on the S60/S80 volvo Platform, not the Taurus

Uh, your Legendary Town Car was a reworked Crown Victoria…MOST car companies’ luxury divisions are based off their lower division: Audi and VW, Lexus and Toyota, Infiniti and Nissan…give it a rest all you Town Car owners…go over to BUICK…and Lincoln is smart to give up trying to reach BMW andn’ercedes owners because they wont consider Lincoln (ie the LS…did’nt sell but was a competitor)….if they can make their cars different enough from Fords they will have a chance, just ike what Lexus and Infiniti (more so) does….Did you think your legendary Town Car competed with BMW/Mercedes? The TC is being relegated to limo and car service where it should be. In case you didn’t notice thats where its been for years ..and you have to be a fool to spend $40K on a car that is driven mostly as a fleet car…..

Unfortunatly for you, you are wrong. The MKS is NOT built on the Tauri-Sable platform. It’s built on a son platform from the D3 called D32. I do have to agree with you, its deisgn in very foreign but how do you know how it will drive and comapre to others. Oh right, you don’t.

I hear it comes with AWD as an option

Ok the car looks nice but front wheel drive no
thanks.My next car will be a CTS

David. You are correct. FWD equals excessive nose weight which equals poor balance which equals — well — less than optimal handling. However I’m more concerned with FMCs inability to launch new cars with the proper power plant. It is like it is written in the FMC corprate policy manual — that under no conditions will we introduce a car with a powerful, or even adequate, engine (the Mustang being the exception) — instead we must introduce all cars with weak power plants and then, a year later, replace them with new engine. I can’t for the life of me understand why FMC announced their engine strategy (EcoBoost) 18 months before it would be available in any production cars. It is like telling the competiton — here is what you need to do to continue to beat us. If they think that the announcement is going to freeze buyers for 18 months — they are nuts. One last thing I can’t understand is all the fuss that is being made over SYNC.

The issue is the car is on a FWD Platform, AWD
will not help it.

agree with FWD but if AWD is an option what’s the issue? AWD beats out RWD and Cadillac offers AWD as an option as well….

you all keep talking about building an LS type car…hey, folks, the LS was a gerat car but a sales FAILURE!!!!! And you ask L-M to build another….I say, go for the Acura , Infiniti , Lexus market..let Cadillac try to compete with BMW/Mercedes….NOT

The MKS is a nice car but, not new enough to bring Lincoln back from the dead. Lincoln Needs a V8 LS rear dirve built off the Mustang platform, A MKR built off the Interceptor concept, rear drive, big V8, if you can afford a lincoln you can afford the gas, ford needs to inprove the vehicles they have now, the V6, turbo is great for most of their cars but look a the rear drive cadillacs, pontiacs, Gm learned their lesson and brought back rear drive V6 with optional V8’s. Come on Ford. Wake up before it’s too late. Build the interceptor, make a Galaxy version, put IS on your mustang, make a Cougar version. all rear drive……

Front wheel drive

Finally Lincoln is allowing it’s designers to actually be creative, the designers will always produce the best looking vehicles, not management.

One of the hardest tasks a car company has to do is create brand awareness, generate buzz about your products. Ford has spent hundrids of millions doing just that, actully getting Americans to consider Mercury products for the first time in a very long time. American car buyers have a positive opinion of the Mercury brand and management is letting all of this goodwill go down the drain, not one new Mercury concept vehicle! Ford management is failing the Mercury division, all of those financial resources spent and finally a recognizable spokeswoman everybody agrees is a plus for the Mercury brand and management fiddles while Rome burns… Shame on you Allan Mullally.

It is time you bring out a sharp looking car.Maybe I’ll buy one.

What a great looking car. I’ve been waiting to replace my LS, and this is the first car I’ve seen that makes me want to part with it.

Brandon — I know about the EcoBoost engine. But we are not going to wait for another 18 months to make a purchase. And do you really think that the competition is going to sit still between now and then? By the time Lincoln brings out the EB it the comp will have something better. The MKS is just another example of what could have been - had it been equipped correctly from the beginning.

The MKS may have the week V-6 for it’s first year, but the second year they are putting the powerful twinturbo power of a V8, V6 that is in the MKR concept combine that with all wheel drive and it is going to be a pretty fast car, probaly faster than the LS V8. Read the news

I agree. The MKS great looking car but I question its fitfulness to replace the LS. What I love about my LS is its acceleration and handling. I have a hard time believing that MKS with its wimpy V6, “Luxury Tuned Suspension” and 4300 lb weight is going to fit the bill (take a new Taurus for a ride - it weighs less than the MKS — and its handling can hardly be described as crisp). Sure there is the TW engine coming sometime down the road — but I’m in the market for a car now. Took a DI CTS for a spin last weekend — wow — what a car. As soon as my wife and I agree on the color - we are putting a couple on order.

I’m very dissapointed in the MKS! Ford could have done a lot better with the design. How about a car that will turn some heads and get people asking what that is when it passes by instead of not really noticing it at all. Ford is running low on $ and has very little assets to waste. This car will be redesigned in a few years after its introduction.

I agree with Michael

I think its a beautiful car. I want it badly. You are probaly disappointed most of the time about everything like its fashionable. get a life!

That grill has GOT to go!!! You’ve missed the Mark yet again…

I am Very Impressed with the new design.And the SYNC has made this New Vehicle stand out among all other 4-Door Sedan’s.I’m so Impressed,I’ll be Purchasing one for my Wife.The Beauty

They STILL make Oldsmobiles? WHy? This is not better than the Avalon, let alone good enough to pull people from Lexus or Acura. Why does Ford continue to waste money on this brand?

Avalon? I mean , the Toyota is not a bad looking car, but really I’d take a 500 er Taurus over an Avalon. More comfortable, more room, more trunk room…. So get over it already. I love the new Lincoln design direction. My only complaint, I want rear wheel drive….

Simply beautiful can’t wait to own one