V-8 For Lincoln MKS Stillborn?

According to Automotive News, Ford’s latest round of cutting will scythe a planned V-8 for Lincoln’s pending MKS flagship.

The 4.4-liter eight, derived from the Yamaha unit employed in Volvo’s XC90 was expected to slot into Lincoln’s new MKS in 2008, but according to the publication’s sources, the larger powertrain option has been nixed. By way of compensation, the MKS’ 3.5-liter V-6 will reportedly be tuned for greater power, but that still means that the larger MKS will share the same basic engine architecture as the smaller, less expensive MKZ (it gets the engine in the fall, as do the Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego twins).

Some critics believe that the MKS’ subsequent lower cylinder count may be perceived as a disadvantage by consumers, regardless of whether horsepower and torque figures from the V-6 are comparable to the competitors’ V-8 offerings. Acura’s slow-selling (yet entirely competent) range-topping RL has suffered a similar fate. Ironic, then, that some have said the Lincoln and Acura look quite similar.

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donman - 8/21/2006 1:29:18 PM

+2 Boost

Truly idiots. Ford deserves to fail if it refuses to compete.

dualexhaust - 8/21/2006 8:10:36 PM

+1 Boost

isnt this car supposed to compete with the charger?
if it is, it really, really needs a V-8

fr88 - 8/25/2006 11:28:40 AM

+1 Boost

This is a Lincoln flagship? You're kidding. This couldn't even pretend to be an Acura flagship. Lincoln's most loyal customers - Town Car buyers - will love this one. Right. They will shun it as will most potential new visitors to the Lincoln showroom. What does it offer that can't be gotten elsewhere - usually with more style, more performance, and, if priced in the LS/Towncar ballpark, for less money.

There is no investment necessary for Lincoln to put the planned V8 in this car. The V8 currently in use in Volvo's would drop right in. What's the problem?
Are they convinced Lincoln should be hurled further down-market? Are they incapable of doing a proper flagship? At very least, they have the perfectly good LS/Jaguar S-type RWD chassis that could be updated and placed under stunning, all-American bodywork. And sporting a powerful V8. Instead we get this boring, derivative, FWD Acura clone that will be all but irrelevant in a marketplace already full of excellent V6 (and V8!) sedans. And most of those luxury and near-luxury sedans are moving to RWD V8 chassis as fast as the car while Lincoln retreats just as fast.

What a squandered opportunity to introduce a truly desirable and distictive American luxury onto the market. I've owned several 62-63 Lincoln Continentals. That is the standard I hold Lincoln to if they want to become players in the luxury market again.