Following the strong sales launch of the Lincoln Zephyr in the autumn of 2005, the entry-level luxury sedan is reborn for the 2007 model year with a new, more powerful 3.5-liter V-6 engine, a newly designed front end, more traction with available all-wheel drive (AWD) and a new name – Lincoln MKZ. “Customer demand for Lincoln’s mid-size luxury sedan has exceeded our expectations,” says Al Giombetti, president, Ford, Lincoln Mercury Marketing and Sales. “We have taken a brand-new, well-received car and significantly improved it to draw a new generation of customers to the Lincoln brand.” Lincoln Zephyr has become an immediate sales success. “Judging by reaction in the showroom, customers are clearly ready for an American entry-level luxury sedan,” Giombetti says.
Ford Motor Company’s all-new Duratec 35 V-6 engine paired with a premium 6-speed transmission delivers 250 horsepower and 240 pounds-foot of torque.
“Our new 3.5-liter V-6 coupled with an advanced 6-speed automatic provides an innovative solution for better fuel efficiency, more refinement, more power and clean emissions, without any sacrifices,” says Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president of Powertrain Operations.
A strong, lightweight die-cast aluminum block and lightweight 4-valve direct-acting, mechanical-bucket valve train provide smooth, refined operation at high engine speeds. The intake was designed as a system all the way from the throttle body to the intake valves. This incorporates a dual-plenum intake manifold and intake variable cam timing to help ensure a smooth idle and broad torque curve for improved power. A 10.3:1 compression ratio and improved close-coupled catalysts reduce emissions.
The Lincoln MKZ is able to respond readily to its driver’s demands, thanks to the premium 6-speed automatic transmission. A torque-based electronic throttle control works with the electronically controlled transmission by adjusting throttle plate movement to tailor torque to the timing of each shift. In this way, the transmission is able to deliver smooth, barely perceptible gear changes.
02/07, 8:57 AM
posted by:
bac
The front looks better. An extra 20some ponies can’t hurt. AWD can be handy for some. The tail lights are still to large. Does this mean the Mark LT and Navigator will be renamed and resyled?
02/07, 9:06 AM
posted by:
pennstatevr6
If they’re changing all the names over to “Mark #”… don’t you think that “Mark LT” already meets the requirements?
I can see the Navigator being renamed something like Mark LS in roder to draw a connection with the LT, but then again they just killed their “LS” sedan so that may not be a good idea. “LX” would have toyota suing Lincoln in addition to Honda. “LR” would be too similar to the disco… i mean LR3. I guess all the cool L# have been taken.
02/07, 10:16 AM
posted by:
bac
I’m not sure, I have read conflicting articals about how to pronounce the new names. Motortrend and Car and Driver can’t seem to agree. Some say the confusion comes from Mark Fields calling them “Mark” not “M-K-#” when he was introducing them. Ford was gonna call them MK# but Fields has got it all messed up. At least thats what I gather from recent readings. I like MK# its “new” and Lincoln needs “new” real bad.
Mark LT=MKT
Navigator=MKN
Town Car replacment (bigger than MKS)=MKA (as in Alpha)
Plus the MKZ, MKS and MKX
02/07, 1:55 PM
posted by:
Robert
And whatever brand equity “Mark” had left is diffused across the entire Lincoln lineup? M-K-whatever is weak and uninspired naming that isn’t going to help sell cars.
02/07, 9:15 PM
posted by:
Maranello
Even though I kind of like their new naming scheme, Zephyr just sounds a heck of alot better than MKZ. But I do love the 250hp All-Wheel Drive combo, but I still think it should have at lease 280hp.
02/07, 9:36 PM
posted by:
sondjata
but can I get it with a stick shift?
too big you say? WHat of the M5?
And what of the 6 series /of old and of new?
02/09, 3:07 PM
posted by:
Steve
What happened to names? I like names and think most buyers, enthusiasts and others with fully funtional brains agree. The article says that the car was an “immediate sales success”. Tell me this: Why does it need a new name? I like the car. I think It looks good and I really like the bigger engine with more horsepower. Why change the name? It’s like someone at the top said “Oh no we almost have brand recognition again! Change the name!”