• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

—Ann Arbor, Michigan

One of the most crucial things that American automakers—namely Ford and GM—are currently doing is working on building better individual brand identity within their larger portfolios. In years past, the Lincoln brand suffered by being written off as the grandfather-oriented luxury brand, offering soft vehicles with only a few more luxurious touches than similar products with Ford or Mercury badges. But recently, we’ve seen some really attractive things come from Lincoln, and Ford’s marketing representatives have a clear objective to bring new products to dealer lots that don’t plainly resemble the Ford vehicles that they’re based off of. Sure, you can look at a Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS side by side and see some similarities, but non-automotive media consumers won’t necessarily spot the similarities.

Enter for 2010, the seven-passenger Lincoln MKT crossover. It may be based on the trusty Ford Flex platform, but Lincoln engineers reiterated that not a single body panel or interior amenity has been carried over, unchanged, from the Flex. Its exterior appearance alone is a very polarizing opposite from the boxy Ford crossover, and while the debate still continues about if we find the MKT to be a “pretty car” or not, one thing’s clear—you won’t mistake it for a Flex. Or anything else, for that matter.

CLICK HERE to continue reading this review.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

We first saw the updated 2010 Lincoln MKZ when it showed up in L.A. last year. We have one right now in our Austin fleet, and we’re ready take your questions. Let’s go ahead and get the first one out of the way…

You: Is it white?

Us: White Platinum, yes.

Great. Now go right ahead and ask us some more in the Ask It forum, or check out our Buyer’s Guide for the 2010 Lincoln MKZ.

+ NextAutos Forum: Ask It: 2010 Lincoln MKZ

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

PROS
- Powerful V-6 engine and a smooth six-speed automatic transmission.
- Nicely designed cabin with good-quality materials throughout.
- AWD models are grippy and pleasant to push through bends.

CONS
- Hit-or-miss design looks odd from some angles.
- FWD models exhibit a bit of torque steer during harder acceleration.
- Price point does not reflect a great improvement over a standard Fusion Sport or Mercury Milan.

SUMMARY
Since the Lincoln MKZ shares a platform with the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, it also had a substantial refresh for the 2010 model year, including a new front fascia more in tune with Lincoln's newer styling (as seen on the MKS and upcoming MKT), a peppier engine, revised rear end, and a host of interior upgrades. The MKZ continues to be sort of an odd duck, with no real direct competition aside from, perhaps, the Chrysler Sebring or Mercedes-Benz C-Class. But there's quite a lot to like about the MKZ for 2010 -- it's comfortable, powerful, and is actually somewhat entertaining to drive, and though we would never recommend it over the aforementioned Merc, it's still a good choice (and bargain) in the small, luxury sedan segment.

Read more about the 2010 Lincoln MKZ on the vehicle's buyer's guide page, where you'll find our driving impressions, previous road tests, galleries, and more. You can find buyer's guides to other vehicles in the NextAutos Buyer’s Guide database.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Car Summary:

The Navigator is a largely painless SUV, taking the size and capability that some shoppers need from the Ford Expedition, while adding a level of panache that’s completely Lincoln. Seating for seven is a reality with the extra spacious third row too. Families will enjoy niceties like the rear-seat DVD player, though adding another five grand (for the Elite Package) onto a sticker in the mid- $50K range might be hard to swallow. The truck’s steering modulates nicely from quick at parking lot speeds, to firm at a freeway pace, but does so in a very over-boosted, and feel-devoid manner. Some float in the suspension doesn’t help matters either.

Pros

• Roomy and comfortable.
• Nearly effortless to drive.
• Optional Elite Package adds convenient features such as a navigation system and power-deployed running boards.

Cons

• Lack of steering feel leads to disconnected drive.
• Some might expect a higher quality interior for the price.
• Think hard. Do you really like this $20K better than a Ford Expedition?

Read more about the Lincoln Navigator on the vehicle's Buyer's Guide page, where you'll find our driving evaluations, previous road tests, galleries, and more. You can find Buyer's Guides to other vehicles in the NextAutos Car Search database.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Ford pulled the wraps off of the new Lincoln MKT crossover this week at the Detroit Auto Show, and now that funky looking Flex-based vehicle has a price tag.

The base MKT with front-wheel drive and the 3.7-liter, 268-horsepower V-6 will start at $44,995, with all-wheel drive available. On the higher end of things, the MKT with AWD and EcoBoost will command $49,995, which makes it competitively priced with vehicles like the Acura MDX. Keep in mind, the EcoBoost V-6 will be capable of producing 355 horsepower but will offer roughly the same fuel economy as the base V-6 engine. For an additional $5000, customers can opt for the MKT's Elite Package, boasting adaptive cruise control, collision warning with brake support, cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, voice-activated navigation, and a power panoramic sunroof.

For all the details about the new Lincoln MKT, click on over to our auto show coverage and stay tuned for the new Lincoln to hit dealerships this coming summer. Click through the post for Ford's press release, as well.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

There are still a couple of arguments going on within the NextAutos staff as to whether or not the Lincoln C Concept gets thumbs up or thumbs down, but in any case, this new compact car from the Ford Motor Company will surely shake things up a bit if put into production. And even if the concept never does see the light of day, we're hoping that Ford uses that 1.6-liter EcoBoost four in other vehicle applications.

We've just returned with a few live shots of the little green Lincoln, so have a look through our gallery and let us know what you think.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

If you read through the history book of Lincoln, you'll find mid-size and large luxury vehicles which are generally sort of soft and harmless all around. However, the Ford Motor Company wants the Lincoln brand to also produce some small car luxury offerings, and the first example of this comes via the C Concept -- a small hatchback based off of the next-generation Focus platform. Peter Horbury, executive director of design for the Americas says, "Modern luxury buyers who live and work in large, urban areas want to play their part in helping the environment by moving to a smaller vehicle, but they still want to enjoy the luxuries of life. The Lincoln C offers sensible indulgence."

Powering the C Concept is a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine mated to an all-new, dry, dual-clutch PowerShift six-speed transmission. This engine is said to produce 180 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque and will allow the C to achieve fuel economy figures as high as 43 miles per gallon on the highway.

Inside, the C Concept takes cues from Lincoln designs of the past: a bright, clean color palette with authentic wood and metal materials, jewel-like chrome details, and a symmetrical instrument panel design. Additionally, laser-engraved floral etching can be found on the passenger side seats and floor, as well as on the back of the driver's seat. Lincoln says that this pattern gives the C Concept a refined, sophisticated look.

There's no official word as to if/when the C Concept would see the light of day, but with America's new commitment to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, we wouldn't rule out seeing a Lincoln-branded small car somewhere in the very near future. Click through our gallery of shots above and click through the post to read Lincoln's official press release.

• Previous Image
• Next Image
• Enlarge Image

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

When the Ford Flex came out, we knew it wouldn't be long before the Blue Oval folks cross-branded that platform within their portfolio. In fact, when we first saw the Lincoln MKT concept at last year's show, we knew right away that Lincoln would be getting a luxury version of the seven-passenger crossover. However, as you can see in these images, Ford has done a really good job of making the MKT and Flex very, very different from one another, though some might say that the resulting design isn't too flattering here on the Lincoln. Like the new Taurus that was introduced yesterday, the MKT will hit dealerships this summer.

Aside from a new design, the MKT also gets more standard power than the Flex, using the 3.7-liter V-6 found in the Lincoln MKS sedan. This engine delivers 268 horsepower, though consumers can opt for an EcoBoost 3.5-liter V-6 producing around 355 horsepower. Like other applications of EcoBoost, it will only be mated to AWD-equipped MKTs.

On the inside, perforated leather meets the laundry list of premium and technological features that Ford is putting on their high-end cars these days, including SYNC, Sirius travel link, a vista roof, dual climate control, and heated and power everything. While the exterior may not be too pretty, the interior of the MKT will surely be a nice place to relax while driving home from a long day at the office.

In any case, you can read all of the picky details yourself in Ford's press release by clicking through the post, and scroll through our gallery of stock shots to see the MKT from all views. Stay tuned for live shots later today after the Lincoln/Mercury press conference this morning.

We told you yesterday that Ford will be unveiling its new Park Assist technology on the Lincoln MKS and upcoming MKT, but the folks at FoMoCo have now released a video showing their new Park Assist in action, hosted by Ford's chassis chief engineer, Ali Jammoul.

+ YouTube (via Jalopnik)

Not long after Ford unveiled the Lincoln MKT concept, prototypes of the Flex-based Lincoln crossover started appearing. One year later, the production MKT will be making its debut in Detroit next month, and our friends at The Car Connection have received some shots of nearly ride-ready MKTs out testing.

At first glance, it's clear that the MKT and Flex do not share a whole lot in the way of styling, and that Lincoln's new corporate face is expanding across the model line. (We're not sure if we like the oversized grille, though.) Other subtle design quirks like the upwards slant just after the rear door and a more sloped roof also do the job of separating the MKT from its Flex and MKX siblings.

The Car Connection also shows an interior shot of the MKT, showing a clean and upscale dash design surrounded by what should be some pretty nice materials. Ford's interiors have gotten much better lately, and if this shares anything with the materials in the new Flex or MKS, it will be a hit. Look for the MKT to get Ford's 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 at some point, too. Head over to TCC for the full shots and stay tuned for our coverage of the MKT at the Detroit Show next month.

+ The Car Connection: Spy Shots: 2010 Lincoln MKT