2017 Lincoln MKZ: The Brand’s Revival Continues
Just a few years ago, Ford’s Lincoln division was in deep trouble. Its product line-up was dwindling and sales numbers were in a downward spiral. At best, their products were slightly redesigned Ford models that were dressed up to pass for luxury cars, with mixed results. At some point, Ford boss Alan Mulally had to choose whether to simply abandon Lincoln or work hard to revitalize the brand. The company went for the second option.
Many measures were taken to make that happen. Not only did the company invest more money into the development of a new and competitive range of cars, but the Lincoln division became a wholly independent entity. Lincoln is no longer a division, and is now called the Lincoln Motor Company.
Several new models were introduced in the past four years, and constant improvement was noticeable, but when compared to the best luxury vehicles, Lincoln’s models always seemed to be a step behind. That step has disappeared with the arrival of the new 2017 Lincoln MKZ, which represents a move forward towards the revival of the brand.
Original design
To be successful in the luxury-car segment, it takes bodywork that is immediately recognizable and that easily stands apart from the competition. Take Cadillac, for example, and the distinct silhouette of its vehicles. The same can be said for Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, however. The MKZ respects that requirement with styling that bears a four-door coupe profile, thanks to its sloping roofline.
The uniqueness of its front fascia draws attention, while its elegant and dynamic grille design will also be used on future products. A luxury car must obviously be furnished with an upscale cockpit, and significant progress has been applied to the MKZ’s interior. Not only has the quality of the materials been improved, but finish is practically flawless. From a visual standpoint, the vertical centre console is larger than before, and stylists also slipped in a floating console between the seats in order to add a little character to the cockpit.
As expected, the vast majority of features that can be found in competitive models are also available here. However, the sound system is provided by Revel. This brand isn’t well recognized by the general public, but it’s admired by true audiophiles; it’s actually a much more upscale product division within the Harman/Kardon group.
400 horses!
The company didn’t waste any efforts in creating a new powertrain. Their engineers came up with a twin-turbocharged and direct-injected 3.0L V6, which develops 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. All that power is transferred to all four wheels through an intelligent AWD system, while grip and stability are made possible by a torque vectoring feature that uses the wheels that have the best grip to keep the car stable. A turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder engine which produces 245 hp is also available, as is a hybrid powertrain. In the two latter cases, power is sent through the front wheels.
The Lincoln Drive Center allows drivers to choose between three driving modes, including Comfort, Normal and Sport. These settings are associated with an adaptive suspension that modifies damping several times per second.
The whole nine yards
Obviously, a luxury car also includes mechanical and electronic sophistication. The new MKZ can hold its own in the powertrain, style and cockpit refinement departments. Moreover, it’s equipped with all the latest electronic driving aids that are available in various competing models. The adaptive cruise control allows the driver to set a fixed distance between their car and the one preceding it, and the vehicle can stop itself if the car in front suddenly halts.
The pedestrian detection system also prevents serious injuries, and let’s not forget about the blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert. Lincoln is very proud of its parallel and perpendicular park assist system, one of the most capable on the market. In short, nothing was spared to make the MKZ more attractive.
Lastly, did you know that a few years ago, the average age of Lincoln customers was 64 years old, and it’s currently down to 58? The company’s efforts to attract a younger clientele are starting to pay off, and the new MKZ will certain help accelerate that rejuvenation.
- Check out our Lincoln Zone
- Check out our complete coverage of the Los Angeles Auto Show
