Lincoln to Redefine the Luxury Market With the 2007 MKZ

Lincoln to Redefine the Luxury Market With the 2007 MKZ
With a sub $30K entry price the new Lincoln MKZ poses a threat to steal sales from entry level Lexus and Infiniti models. Lincoln is building on the success of its strong-selling Zephyr mid-size sedan with the introduction of the 2007 Lincoln MKZ – a five-passenger luxury sedan that boasts a refined look, a new, more powerful engine, and the confidence of available all-wheel drive. The new Lincoln MKZ features a starting manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) of $29,890 for front-wheel drive and $31,765 for all-wheel drive models. “The new Lincoln MKZ is moving Lincoln to a modern vision of American luxury,” says Al Giombetti, president, Ford, Lincoln and Mercury. “It enters the market from a position of strength, following the outstanding success of the Zephyr. With the Lincoln MKZ, we’re adding great new features and delivering outstanding value that American luxury customers demand.” Since its debut last year, Zephyr has paved the way for the Lincoln MKZ with a solid foundation in customer satisfaction and quality. It achieved the best performance by a Lincoln nameplate ever with its second-in-segment showing in the 2006 JD Power Initial Quality Study. Its hallmark Lincoln craftsmanship was honored with Ward’s 2006 Best Premium Interior Car Award. The Lincoln MKZ presents a refined interpretation of Lincoln’s traditional waterfall grille. Its clean lines, new 17-inch machined aluminum wheels, distinctive lighting and chrome accents create a dynamic, uniquely American interpretation of luxury. The Lincoln MKZ is powered by Ford’s new 263 hp 3.5L V-6 engine paired with a fuel-efficient 6-speed automatic transmission. The all-aluminum, four-valve engine features intake variable cam timing, delivering exceptional refinement and more power than comparable V-6 engines from GM, Nissan, Chrysler and Honda. The engine eventually will power one out of five Ford Motor Company vehicles in North America. With the new engine, the Lincoln MKZ chassis has been retuned to deliver a more athletic driving experience. Rounding out the performance story is newly available all-wheel drive (AWD), a feature that 50 percent of luxury owners say they want on their vehicle. Lincoln MKZ is the first Lincoln car to offer available AWD, a feature not found among many vehicles in its competitive set. The intelligent AWD system on the Lincoln MKZ is specifically tuned for luxury performance, offering confident all-weather driving. It seamlessly delivers torque to all four wheels as needed. Ford Motor Company leads the industry in delivering AWD capability. The company will have 28 vehicles with this technology this year. Responding to the explosive popularity of MP3 audio players, the Lincoln MKZ features a standard auxiliary audio input jack. Available SIRIUS™ satellite radio helps customers stay connected and in command. When it arrives in showrooms next month, the Lincoln MKZ will offer Lincoln’s no deductible, fully transferable extended powertrain limited warranty of six years or 70,000 miles along with complimentary roadside assistance. It’s also expected to have a strong 36-month lease-end residual value of nearly 50 percent when it goes on sale, comparable to recently launched vehicles like the 2007 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. The Lincoln MKZ is available in a single series, featuring a full complement of standard premium equipment along with select options, making it easy for customers to order. Key standard features include: New 263 hp 3.5L V-6 with 6-speed automatic transmission Luxurious interior, with genuine wood, leather, and satin nickel trim 17-inch machined and painted aluminum 8-spoke wheels LED tail lamps Dual-zone electronic air temperature control New MP3 audio input jack 10-way power adjustable driver/passenger seat with power lumbar and recline Front Wheel Drive (FWD) Excellent NVH characteristics and unique suspension Heated front seats Driver memory seats and mirrors Available options include: Intelligent AWD SIRIUS™ satellite radio THX II-Certified ® audio system with 14 speakers, a six-disc player compatible with normal audio, MP3 compressed or text format CDs DVD-based navigation system with a 6.5-inch-wide screen and text-to-speech technology for travel directions aloud in English, Spanish or French. Includes THX II-Certified ® audio system. High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps designed to produce more light, last longer and use less energy than typical incandescent headlamps 17-inch 8-spoke chrome wheels Perforated premium leather cooled front seats Power moonroof Interior satin nickel trim in lieu of wood on doors, console and IP The 2007 Lincoln MKZ is one of four new models joining the Lincoln showroom this season, along with the all-new Lincoln MKX crossover, the redesigned Navigator and the all-new Navigator L extended length full-size SUV. The next major step in establishing Lincoln as America’s luxury brand comes in 2008 with the debut of the Lincoln MKS full-size flagship sedan, based on the concept vehicle first shown at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.

hortahorta - 9/11/2006 1:59:00 PM
+1 Boost
Sorry but not my cup of tea...


G35LoverG35Lover - 9/11/2006 2:03:51 PM
+1 Boost
Are they smokin'. Lincoln is dreaming if they think this will take sales away from Lexus.


monkeyrunmonkeyrun - 9/11/2006 2:06:35 PM
+2 Boost
Redefine luxury as in downgrading it ?

Coz that interior is the total opposite of luxury.


johannasjohannas - 9/11/2006 3:09:47 PM
+1 Boost
I think the interior looks pretty good for UNDER $30k.
I can't even get a new Lexus for less than 30k.


phantom330phantom330 - 9/11/2006 3:31:44 PM
+2 Boost
that car is pathetic, and they wonder why nobody wants to buy american anymore.


CBR2200CBR2200 - 9/11/2006 4:10:42 PM
+2 Boost
LOL! What a POS!


BMW530iBMW530i - 9/11/2006 4:46:25 PM
+1 Boost
I think it looks fantastic - but the interior is disgraceful. Such a sweet-looking ride, but an ugly interior. That's enough to turn me away for example. Style is important to me, inside and out.


Jay7Jay7 - 9/11/2006 4:47:12 PM
+2 Boost
This car, physically looks too much like the Ford which it is based on. I like the interior but that alone is not enough to tap into the entry-level lexus sales.



BMW530iBMW530i - 9/11/2006 4:47:45 PM
+2 Boost
Whoops, forgot to add that the interior materials look decent, but the design is horrific.


lexusis350lexusis350 - 9/11/2006 5:31:09 PM
+1 Boost
It still isn't nice enough to compete with Lexus.


lexusis350lexusis350 - 9/11/2006 5:31:55 PM
+1 Boost
Lincoln isn't nice enough I mean.



LexusLexus - 9/11/2006 6:38:28 PM
0 Boost

This vechicle is the same one as the Lincoln Zephyr; all they did was change the dawn name and give it more horse power.

The it is currently being sales as the Zephyr, sale for this brand is pretty low right now. I don't think it a much a threat to Lexus or Infiniti. It a not bad looking car but Not my cup of tea for sure.

Lexus


webguywebguy - 9/11/2006 6:49:02 PM
+1 Boost
For about 30K the exterior isn’t bad. Hardly “redefining,” but a definite improvement.

The cavernous gaps that plague the interior though need to be closed before... scratch that. The interior needs to be redesigned. The gauge cluster looks like it was resurrected from an 80’s Pinto and just polished. The high and flat layout of the dash was outdated over two decades ago. There’s no flow to the cockpit. No real contrast to draw out shapely elements The air vents look completely out of place… and if they only look “good” when they’re closed, what’s the use? The blending of metallic and wood rarely looks good. There’s a reason most cars come with one or the other.

An improvement, yet still at the bottom. The interior, maybe, equals the current Cadillac CTS in appeal… which is non-existent; and the next CTS appears to be dramatically improved. Also how about NVH, driving dynamics, quietness, safety and all that good stuff? The Zephyr, which this is based off of got a mere “acceptable” in both front and side crash test ratings from the IIS; which is unacceptable for a new model. Try again Lincoln… We’re counting on you, Mr. Mulally.


S4cabriofoxS4cabriofox - 9/11/2006 7:11:34 PM
+1 Boost
I really don't think it's that terrible-- a lot more interesting than the ES, at least-- and BMW530i and I have similar tastes. I think it's a very good-looking car, and though the interior is questionable, at least it's distinctive and not another Mercedes-wannabe.


EvoAudiEvoAudi - 9/11/2006 7:23:18 PM
-2 Boost
american cars suck just get a A4


EvoAudiEvoAudi - 9/11/2006 7:23:19 PM
-1 Boost
american cars suck just get a A4


EvoAudiEvoAudi - 9/11/2006 7:23:19 PM
-1 Boost
american cars suck just get a A4


speedracer54speedracer54 - 9/11/2006 8:54:48 PM
+1 Boost
Everyone is in love with import cars...i dont get it. You have to learn to like everything even if its a certain brand you dont like. I own a 06 Acura TSX so its not like i only own American cars...I think this car is awsome. If i havent already bought a car, i would really take a look at the mkz. This car is unique, Its like nothing else on the road. The interior is also one of the kind. Nice job Lincoln.


Agent63Agent63 - 9/11/2006 9:41:00 PM
+1 Boost
It looks like a Zephr why make another model that looks the same? I saw a white one with HID's and stock chrome wheel package with black interior leather. It looked sleak but the interior I wasn't feeling.


Matthew1Matthew1 - 9/11/2006 10:03:38 PM
+2 Boost
The exterior is understated, but it's certainly not unpleasant.

But dear god that dashboard is crass!

It's so tall and flat and cheap looking....

...Since when did consumer research tell them that people wanted their interior to look like they were from the horrid 70's?

Still I applaud Lincoln for attention to detail, because even the plastic quality is retro!


lexusis350lexusis350 - 9/11/2006 11:45:17 PM
+1 Boost
speedracer54-
"Everyone is in love with import cars...i dont get it."
--------------------------------------------------------
I think that all luxury brand car fans will agree that people are in love with import cars because Americans simply don't know how to build a luxury car. Cadillac is supposedly the most luxurious American brand and I drove one and it handled like a Toyota Corolla, no joke.


RupertRupert - 9/12/2006 2:29:08 PM
+1 Boost
matthew, you reminded me!
it is like the 70s!

ugly ugly interior, seriously, how is this premium?
cheap looking materials (i'm sure that wood is laminate flooring), and the usual ford style of chucking together art deco and 60s and 70s into one little package, hence flat surfaces with (fake) chrome circular vents.
the steering wheel looks 70s, the rest wouldn't be seen in a kia. i mean if renault and peugeot can put good interior design with good materials and ergonomics onto their cheap little cars, why can't lincoln?
and the outside is just another chromey grill, like all american cars.


RupertRupert - 9/12/2006 2:44:10 PM
+2 Boost
and lexusis350, you are so right.


mstangpny07mstangpny07 - 9/12/2006 4:51:26 PM
+1 Boost
009 Paragraphs please.


answeranswer - 9/12/2006 6:15:57 PM
+1 Boost
It sure isn't the pinnacle of automotive art, but it sure looks better than the Lincolns of recent memory.

Has anyone heard the THX sound system in a Lincoln? Good/bad?


S4cabriofoxS4cabriofox - 9/12/2006 10:31:31 PM
+1 Boost
Agent63--

It IS a Zephyr, if you still haven't realized that yet. I can't believe you haven't heard this countless times like we have.

For 2007, Lincoln is renaming the Zephyr (which has been out for less than a year) the MKZ, and slightly tweaking its looks (new grille, new wheels, etc.), and giving it a much better engine (3.5 263hp V6). Why Ford doesn't use this V6 on all of their models is beyond me.


vcowmanvcowman - 9/13/2006 11:57:28 PM
+1 Boost
you have got to be kidding, this is not a luxury car.


vcowmanvcowman - 9/13/2006 11:59:04 PM
+1 Boost
the air flow vents are the same as the pontiac g6, its the little details that luxury buyers appreciate and american brands cant understand that.


mercuryguymercuryguy - 9/15/2006 3:01:49 AM
+1 Boost
Why is it that Lincoln cannot make a success of the Town Car L-Series. This is the long Wheel Base Model. Audi, BMW and Mercedes have achieved success with long wheel base models. Long cars are an excellent choice for busy executives, and the longer wheel base makes for a smoother ride experience.

Ford is making a huge mistake by downsizing the Town Car to a stretched version of the 500. What is Ford trying to do, build another K-Car? Remember the Continental, a glorified Taurus? Now one wants a front wheel drive or AWD luxury car.

I live in Buffalo, and I’ve always driven a rear wheel drive car in the snow, no problem if you’re a sophisticated driver. Leave all wheel drive for the Soccer Mom vehicles.



mercuryguymercuryguy - 9/15/2006 3:11:36 AM
+1 Boost
Looks like that Town Car replacement (MKZ, MLZ??) will lose half its value in the first week of ownership. An underpowered Lincoln? Do yourself a favor, leave it there on the car lot and move on. Ask yourself this, what will a v6 Lincoln be worth a few years from now? The only thing I liked about the prototype was the LED cornering lamps. Why go small, when Lexus is coming out with an even bigger LS Flagship Sedan. This reminds me of the 1980s when the big 3 came out with scaled down cars with junk engines. Come on Ford, just because you made a mistake with the Excursion and Explorer doesn't mean you should build another K-Car. That was a painful mistake for Chrysler, how soon those Auto executives forget.
Don’t get me wrong, I wish future success for Ford, but it doesn’t seem likely with the junk they have planned for the showroom this time.



mercuryguymercuryguy - 9/15/2006 3:18:02 AM
+1 Boost
The best Ford engine is that small V8. I believe it is a 4.2L V8 they have in the Lincoln LS. Not the 4.6, although that is a decent engine too, except for the plastic intake manifold that is subject to heat failure. The 4.2L V8 is all aluminum and it is the same engine in the Ford Thunderbird Convertible which has since been retired. That small V8 puts out more HP than the 4.6L.


mercuryguymercuryguy - 9/15/2006 3:22:07 AM
+1 Boost
The Zephyr is the same car as the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, just a different Grill and Lights. It shares the same platform, same engine.
Remember Cadillac owners years ago were upset that their Cadillac’s had Chevy in them, this is why Cadillac was forced to come out with an all Cadillac Engine, The Northstar v8, which is a great engine. Cadillac owners didn't want to buy and expensive car with a Chevy engine. If you pay Cadillac price, you expect Cadillac performance and Reliability.


mercuryguymercuryguy - 9/15/2006 3:25:36 AM
+1 Boost
Zephyr interior is not bad for sub $30k. The interior is far better than a Chrysler 300 ($25K) Its the rest of the Zephyr that is questionable, Small engine, Front Wheel Drive, Small rear seat Headroom, Legroom etc.


mercuryguymercuryguy - 9/15/2006 3:32:25 AM
+1 Boost
I have seen this car with Dark Walnut Interior Trim, much richer looking than the light wood. light wood reflects glare at night.
Has anyone seen the wood grain dash on a Town Car Designer? Stunning to say the least, not that fake cherry Burl wood like the other models of Town Car. The dash on the Designer Series is like Jaguar meets Rolls Royce.



Agent63Agent63 - 9/17/2006 12:32:17 AM
+1 Boost
MY bad I didn't know the Zephr is changing names. I don't pay attention to domestics much. The new renamed vehicle is taking the flagship role now? It's not even a full size car. What about the Lincoln LS? It looks more like a flagship than "Zephr" bodystyle. Unless they take a LS and beef it up a little and pack more luxury into it then perhaps it can be a contender. Ford needs to do something quick as they are losing to their counterparts quick!. Chrysler's 300C has taken much of the Zephr and CTS buyers and brought them onto their band wagon. For value and luxury the 300C is great. The Zephr has an awkward look to it (more on the inside) but in white it looks nice. Just would take a 300 over a Zephr that's all. I trust Chrysler more because of it's German influence. Since Ford isn't doing so great why would Lincoln? Their quality/part are all interchanged throughout their brand. Parts bins are open to all the brands.


mercuryguymercuryguy - 1/15/2008 1:26:00 PM
+1 Boost
Has anyone driven a Chrysler 300? I have. Absolute junk. Hard to see a signal light through the squatty windshield, hard to see out the rear window, numerous blind spots, hard to back up as you simply can not judge the spacing behind the rear bumper, so you end up 3 feet from a perked car behind you. I will say the standard cloth seats are very comfortable, however this car is very fatiguing to drive, the drive train has a very artificial feel, the transmission does whatever it wants shifting wildly, upshifts, downshifts, it bangs into the next gear up if you ease off the throttle, it is not sure what it wants to do. The engine backfires occasionally, and it simply labors when pulling long grades on the roads of Pennsylvania. Chrysler should hang their head in shame to build this lemon of a car. Yes, the body looks great, but this is a small car inside, certainly not a flagship sedan. Look closer and you see low quality materials used throughout. Try finding a metal surface under the dash to mount a switch or 12V powerpoint, it doesn’t exist, only thin plastic and cardboard, nothing to drive a small screw into for a robust mount. When I first saw this car at the Detroit show, I was excited over it, and had to have one. One Big Mistake. I say Chrysler, go back to the drawing board and give us a break already, this junk has no place in today’s market, keep it up and you end up like Desoto and Hudson, out of business forever.

You really can’t beat Ford transmissions; they shift smoothly, quietly, predictably, logically.



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