Thumbs Up: Stellar interior, great content for the price.

Thumbs Down: Vague, over-boosted steering.

Buy This Car If: You want a domestic luxury alternative to the Cadillac SRX.

Like Rodney Dangerfield, Lincoln can’t get any respect. Ford’s luxury brand spent years mired in mediocrity, and now that it’s stepped up its game no one seems to know about it. Perhaps it spent too many years living in the shadow of now defunct Mercury, or perhaps it’s trapped in a time warp between its traditional (and aging) customer base and the younger luxury buyers it hopes to attract. Quirky styling aside, the Lincoln products I’ve driven offer a solid build quality and a surprising amount of content for the price.

Take the 2011 Lincoln MKX crossover for example. It’s got just about every luxury amenity you could hope for, including heated and cooled front seats, a voice-command navigation and infotainment system, a premium audio system, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power liftgate and more. If safety is your thing, the MKX comes with a reverse sensing system, Ford’s Advance Trac stability control system, a plethora of airbags and available blind spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control. Despite these features and available options, you rarely see a Lincoln MKX on the road.

As for style, there’s no denying that Lincoln goes its own way. Its trademark waterfall grill has caught a lot of flack in recent years, and there’s no denying that it creates a polarizing front end on Lincoln vehicles. Lincoln’s designers have done what they could to soften the look, but it’s still not going to be mainstream. In a way, that’s an advantage for Lincoln, because you’ll never confuse your Lincoln vehicle for another Ford product in a parking lot.

For 2011, the Lincoln MKX received a rather thorough refresh, which included the wing-shaped waterfall grille seen on other Lincoln models, as well as restyled front fenders with a much bolder look. The net result is that the MKX no longer looks like a Ford Edge with a Lincoln badge, but that distinction comes at a price; the old MKX was bland, but its looks were hardly controversial. The new MKX may draw some buyers into Lincoln dealers on looks alone, but it will also turn some away, too. The trick for Lincoln’s designers is attracting the right kinds of buyers, in the quantities needed to grow the brand.

Inside, the Lincoln tones down its style for a more contemporary take on luxury. Proving that wood (or worse, faux wood) isn’t always required in an upscale vehicle, Lincoln buyers can choose textured aluminum instead. I’m a big fan, since wood and plastic wood in all its variations are beyond played out, and the textured metal trim makes Lincoln products a bit more distinctive. The dash is wrapped in stitched, leather-look vinyl, and titanium plastic is used to trim the center stack and doors. I’d call the look “modern luxury,” as opposed to the “traditional luxury” that so many automakers seem to embrace.

As you’d expect, the Lincoln MKX comes with the Sync MyLincoln touch infotainment system. Despite getting bad reviews from customers not properly trained on its use, I find Ford’s infotainment system to be the best, most user friendly system on the market today. It’s divided into four color-coded main menu areas: yellow is for Bluetooth-linked phone commands, red is for audio system functions, blue is climate control and green is for navigation. You can easily call up any of these sub-menus from the touch screen in the center stack, or you can access each area from steering wheel mounted controls and a display to the right of the speedometer. Spend some time getting used to the system, and I think you’ll agree that it’s the easiest one in the industry to master.

Front seats are wrapped in thick leather, ventilated on seat bottom and seat back. The wide seats are definitely on the firm side, which some may find objectionable for long-distance comfort. Front seats are both heated and cooled (not just ventilated), ensuring that both driver and passenger stay comfortable no matter what the outside weather conditions are.

Rear seats are also covered in ventilated leather, and get heat for winter comfort. Like the front seats, the rears aren’t nearly as soft as those found in vehicles from the competition (namely, Chrysler). Personally, I find firm seats more comfortable on long trips than soft ones, but your opinion may vary. If you like your seats on the soft side, you’d best take a long test drive in the MKX before signing the paperwork to buy one.

Like any Ford product equipped with Sync and MyFord or MyLincoln Touch, the MKX has an instrument cluster that can be configured by the driver. The center features a large speedometer and gear shift indicator, flanked by variable information displays on the left and right. The left side can be configured to show engine speed and fuel level, trip information, engine temperature or any combination of these. The right side can be configured to show phone, audio, navigation or climate settings. Get used to the system, and you’ll quickly find yourself wondering why other automaker don’t adopt such a simple but functional interface.

Under the MKX’s hood lies a vastly improved V-6 engine. Gone is the old 3.5-liter used until 2010, replaced by a 3.7-liter that’s good for 305 horsepower. That’s 40 more horsepower than the V-6 it replaces, yet the 2011 MKX even does slightly better in fuel economy. The 2011 MKX is rated at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, which is one mpg better in both areas than the vehicle it replaces. Acceleration is sufficient, although getting the power to the ground can be a problem with FWD MKX models; if you live where snow and ice are a fact of life, you’ll probably be happier with the AWD version.

On the road, the MKX delivers a comfortable, quiet ride. If I had a complaint at all, it would be the steering, which was just a bit light and numb for my own tastes. Granted, the MKX is a luxury crossover and not a sport sedan, but I still like a bit more information from the front tires than the MKX delivered. I suspect that the optional 20-inch wheels on my Lincoln-supplied press-fleet tester may have had something to do with this, and buyers who opt for the base 18-inch wheels may be rewarded with better road feel. Despite the MKX’s high center of gravity and plush ride, it handled well for a crossover and won’t disappoint (or surprise) the average driver. Even after five hours behind the wheel, the MKX didn’t wear me out, and gets my stamp of approval for a long-distance road trip vehicle.

Base price on my front-wheel-drive Lincoln MKX tester was $39,995, including a destination charge of $850. Options included the $7,500 Premium Package (ambient lighting, rearview camera, adaptive HID headlamps, voice activated navigation system, THX II certified audio, panoramic vista roof, blind spot monitoring system, 20-inch chrome wheels) and the $1,295 Adaptive Cruise Control / Collision Warning System for a total sticker price of $48,790.

For comparison, a similarly equipped Cadillac SRX Premium would sticker for $47,345 (but doesn’t include adaptive cruise control or a blind spot warning system), while a comparable Lexus RX 350 would list at $50,885.

Maybe it’s the fact that I’m Italian, or perhaps that I’ve lived in the Boroughs of New York City for so long, but I can’t help but admit that I’ve wanted a 1969 Lincoln Continental Mark III in the worst way. No joke, I would drive this sucker every day and love every minute of it. You see cars like the Continental Mark III we’re build in the age of the super-pimp. They combined luxury, style and power making them one of the last great land yachts ever created by an American manufacturer. The Mark III was powered by a massive 460 cubic-inch V8 that pumped out 365 hp and a stump pulling 500 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 mph was in the high 7-second range and its top speed was almost 140 mph. Open the doors and you were treated to acres of leather interior along with just about every other convenience you could ever want. In short, this car was American luxury defined. Sadly, the odds of me getting one are actually quite small, as it would probably be grounds for divorce, but that doesn’t change the fact that I love these suckers with all my of New Yorker heart.

If you’ve ever lived in an urban area then you know that parallel parking comes with the territory. For some it’s a skill that comes naturally, for others though it can be their worst nightmare. To help inept motorists out manufacturers are now building cars that have the ability to park themselves, an option that is in my opinion, one of the biggest wastes of money out there. First off it will add about $1,000.00 to the price tag of the car and second, it’s just another piece of technology that can break once your warranty runs out. How about this, instead of going out and spending a grand on a parking, why not just learn how to do it yourself. I mean hell, you’re already driving the damn car so why not just learn how to park it as well and save yourself some cash.

Source: Youtube.com

Passion. That’s what it takes to own an old street rod. They take time, patience and in the end, a love for all things automotive. Some may think that these are just cheap old cars that are held together with duct tape and zip ties, and let’s face it, sometimes they are. More than that though these cars are a lifestyle choice that are kept in service by a certain demographic of people who simply don’t give a shit about modern conveniences and would rather live life on their own terms. This bagged 1953 Lincoln is a perfect example of this, and in our opinion is f*ckin’ brilliant.

Source: RalfBecker.com

The 2003 Ford F-150. Image: Ford Motor Company

Ford has announced a major recall of over 1.1 million F-150, F-250 and Lincoln Blackwood pickups to replace the gas tank retaining straps in states where corrosion due to road salt is a potential issue. At risk are 1997-2004 F-150s, 1997-99 F-250s and 2002-03 Lincoln Blackwood models, but the trucks are only being recalled in northern states where the use of road de-icing chemicals is common.

As a result of corrosion, one or both of the gas tank retaining straps can fail, allowing the fuel tank to detach from the fuel lines or even the truck itself. Ford will contact owners in affected states via mail when the recall begins, in mid-September. Dealers will replace the existing fuel tank straps with more corrosion-resistant pieces; if replacements aren’t available, dealers will either install a temporary cable support as an interim repair or will provide a steel reinforcement over the existing strap as a permanent repair.

Owners with questions or concerns can reach Ford’s customer relations center at (866) 436-7332, or they may contact the NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at (888) 327-4236 for further details.

Source: NHTSA

There’s just something about cars from the 1930′s, 40′s and 50′s that’s magical. Seeing those cars today makes one think about a time when life was less complicated, when automotive innovation actually meant something, and when the spirit of the open road was alive and well here in the United States. The 1939 Lincoln Zephyr is one of those cars and when viewed in person the only thing it evokes is pure emotion. Today’s automobiles, while packed with reliability and technology simply don’t, in my opinion, possess the same amount of style and flare that their bygone brothers do. It’s a shame really, but in a society where cost is key and styling is secondary, automotive manufacturers really have no choice but to compromise on everything. That’s where custom shops like Regal Roadsters of Madison, WI come into play. These guys recently took the aforementioned 1939 Lincoln Zephyr and get this… fitted it with an Aston Martin V12 engine, full airbag suspension and Magnaflow exhaust. We think the result is simply stunning, but just to make sure click play on the video and decide for yourself.

Source: Chromjuwelen.com

What would you do if, say, you were being pursued by Nazi SS who wanted to kill you (because, you know, they’re Nazis)? Or what if your daughter was captured by evil communist lackeys who then drove off into the sunset with her? Or how about if the zombie apocalypse happened and the undead masses learned how to drive cars in pursuit of your moist, delicious brains? There are many everyday scenarios just like these that will make it MANDATORY that you get involved in a high speed chase. In order to prepare for such inevitabilities, it’s important that you get the right car. But what car is that?

The Very Best: Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera

It is not just an “opinion” that the Lamborghini Gallardo Supleggera is a hot, amazing, saliva-worthy car—it’s a scientifically proven fact. This car has been driven to speeds of over 190 miles per hour on a one mile track. Let’s see zombies catch you at THOSE speeds!

The custom versions of this fantastic car feature a twin-turbo engine, and the power of 1,000 rambunctious horses. Of course, it comes with a price: about a quarter of a million, to be specific. And a hefty car insurance bill. But don’t just look at the prices…remember, this is the risk of Nazis that we’re talking about!

For the Budget Speed Racer

So, let’s say you don’t have a quarter of a million dollars lying around (or, like so many of us, you have a quarter million but would prefer to save it so you can build your own space ship). There are some blazing fast cars that you can get for a price that even your typical hobo could afford: about $40,000.

The speed of the Ford Mustang, which caps at out about 155 miles per hour, should be enough to catch up to those filthy communists who stole your family. It gets you from 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds—something that Soviet engineering simply can’t accomplish. All of this comes in at just about $35,000, making it the perfect use for your pocket change.

If you’re especially frugal, you can pick up the 2011 Chevy Camaro RS for just under $30,000, making this a great starter car for your sixteen-year-old. It’ll hit sixty in 6-seconds, tops out at about 154, and it looks really pretty. Other great budget models include the Mazda Speed3, Honda Civic SI, and the Subaru WRX.

The Road Less Traveled

While the options above are the best for highway pursuits, those who are in more rocky terrain and trust their ability to maneuver off-road may prefer investing in an SUV. Have you ever wondered why so many soccer moms choose this option? It’s not for the looks—it’s because they know that it’s easier to avoid Nazis (who hate driving off-road) when you’re piloting a behemoth like the 2011 Cadillac Escalade.

Whatever option you choose, just be sure you’re prepared to slam on the acceleration at a moment’s notice. After all, you never know when vicious aliens driving suped-up cars may come after you.

Blocking Stern is one thing, but Opie & Anthony, too? Image: Ford Motor Company

If you’re the parent of a new driver, you’ve probably heard about Ford’s MyKey. Announced last spring, the MyKey feature allows owners of equipped vehicles to set limits for various drivers by reprogramming keys. Using a master key, owners can set a maximum speed limit, set a warning tone and mute the radio until the seat belt is buckled, set a longer “low fuel” warning and prevent safety features (such as stability control, traction control and blind spot warning) from being de-activated. Maximum audio volume can also be limited to 44%, and owners can set warning chimes at speeds of 45, 55 or 65 miles per hour.

Starting late next year, Ford will make MyKey standard equipment on all Taurus and Explorer models, and will add the ability to block Sirius Satellite Radio channels with explicit content. I’m not sure that will have much of an effect, since it won’t block explicit content on MP3 players and cell phones, which can play through the audio system. Is Howard Stern really a threat to today’s youth? Can teens hear anything on Sirius Radio that they can’t hear from friends or download from the internet? I’m guessing “no” on that.

Still, I think Ford’s on to something with MyKey. If I had a new driver, I’d certainly appreciate the ability to set speed limits, and to remind them of the importance of buckling up. Expect to see Ford roll out the MyKey feature across a wide range of Ford and Lincoln vehicles in the coming years.

Thumbs Up: V8 power, V6 fuel economy; great interior

Thumbs Down: Front end styling is an acquired taste

Buy This Car If: You want a domestic luxury sedan with V8 power and V6 fuel economy

Ford’s on a roll these days, and it seem like each new product they launch is somehow better than their other recent introductions. For any manufacturer, that’s a good problem to have, and Ford has racked up their share of product awards over the past few years. There’s been some confusion with the blue oval brand as well, since they’ve decided to kill off mid-range brand Mercury to focus on products from Ford and Lincoln. Lincoln, however, has a demographic similar to Buick; when it comes time to shop for a car or SUV, Lincoln dealers aren’t exactly pulling in the “under 40” crowd.

There are plans in the works to change all that, including hiring a new design head away from Cadillac. Lincoln wants to reinvent themselves as a legitimate luxury brand, much the same way as Toyota has Lexus and Nissan has Infiniti. Certainly their products have improved dramatically over the past few years, but have they improved enough to attract the younger luxury buyer? Do they offer the same bells and whistles as the competition, and most importantly, will the automotive consumer shop the brand against competitors from Germany?

If the 2011 Lincoln MKS is any indication of what we can expect from Lincoln in the near future, the answer to most of the above questions is “yes”. Controversial front-end styling aside, this is a nice car by any measure. The interior is one of my favorites from an American manufacturer, and it includes such amenities as heated rear seats and a THX certified sound system. If technology is your thing, the MKS has that too, offering Ford’s automatic park assist, adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance, motion compensating headlights and the Lincoln version of Ford’s “Synch” voice command system. Even the exterior styling tends to grow on you after a while; like the Cadillac CTS, it’s definitely polarizing, but more likely to appeal to a broader array of customers.

The current Lincoln MKS was introduced in 2009, and it shares a platform with it’s Ford sibling, the Taurus. That’s good news for several reasons, since it means an interior large enough to carry five adults in relative comfort and a variety of available drivetrains. The base model MKS comes in front wheel drive with a 3.7 liter V6; you can also get this engine in an AWD version, but the car you really want is the EcoBoost V6, which only comes with AWD. The Ecoboost is a great engine (more on that later), and really does drive like a V8. On the plus side, it doesn’t gulp down gas like a V8, even if you’re heavy with your right foot.

Inside, the MKS has one of the best interiors you’ll find in an American car. My tester had two-toned leather seating, done up in brown and black. It was an odd color combination for a red car, but the quality of materials and the overall comfort was outstanding. The seats are bolstered enough to keep you in place while cornering, but soft enough to be comfortable for long hours behind the wheel. The front seats are 12-way power adjustable, and both driver and passenger get inflatable lumbar support. As you’d expect from a luxury car in this price point, the front seats are both heated and cooled.

The back seat gets the same two-toned leather as the front and the rear seats are also heated (but not cooled). Rear seat passengers get their own 12v power supply and HVAC ducts, so long trips with rear seat passengers shouldn’t cause any serious drama.

The steering wheel is leather wrapped and includes buttons for the cruise control, infotainment system and Bluetooth phone. The dash is a a blend of leather-look, stitched vinyl (on the top surfaces), soft touch vinyl and aluminum colored trim. My tester included Lincoln’s textured metal dash trim, which resembles woven steel mesh. I’m not a big fan of wood (which has been done to death) or faux carbon fiber (especially in a luxury car), so the textured metal trim works for me, and I think it helps the MKS’ interior stand out. The top of the center stack is taken up by a touch screen nav and infotainment system, and there are redundant controls for audio and HVAC below. Ford opts to place their driver information display controls on the center console instead of the steering column or dash; this isn’t a big deal, but you’ll spend some time looking for them if you’re used to driving other brands.

Instruments are brightly lit and easy to read, and are trimmed with distinctive black chrome rings. A speedometer and vehicle information display sits front and center, and is flanked by the tachometer on the left and a combination fuel gauge, gear indicator and temp gauge on the right. The instruments are set back in a hooded pod, which ensures they remain easily seen in all lighting conditions.

Under the hood, my tester came with the 3.5 liter, twin turbo EcoBoost V6 mated to a six speed SelectShift automatic transmission, and I was suitably impressed with this engine and transmission combination. The EcoBoost V6 makes 355 horsepower and 350 ft pounds of torque, which is enough to give the MKS “more than adequate” acceleration, even if you let the car do the shifting for you (it also comes with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters). I didn’t time a zero to sixty run, but I’d be willing to bet it comes up in under seven seconds; despite this, the MKS returned nearly 18 MPG is around-town driving, better than the projected EPA estimate of 17 MPG. The EPA rates the EcoBoost equipped MKS at 25 MPG highway, and my own highway fuel economy confirmed this.

On the road, the MKS is more luxury sedan than sport sedan, but is much more capable than the full size Lincolns of old. A sudden avoidance maneuver at 45 miles per hour (courtesy of a cell-phone-impaired minivan driver) yielded zero drama and utterly predictable handling, which is exactly what I want in a luxury sedan. Steering feel is very good at all speeds, and the car communicated its intentions well enough despite a suspension tuned for comfort over handling. When pressed hard in corners, the MKS exhibited predictable understeer, with the car feeling more like a FWD sedan than an AWD sedan. In fact, there was a surprising amount of torque steer under heavy acceleration, something that caught me by surprise the first time I floored the gas. It’s not a big deal if you’re expecting it, but it’s likely to catch you off-guard the first time you experience it. Lincoln is building this car for a particular demographic, and that crowd won’t be autocrossing or strafing canyons on a Sunday afternoon. If your tastes run to handling over comfort, the MKS won’t be to your liking. On the other hand, there’s a lot to like about a car that parallel parks itself (when equipped with Active Park Assist) and gives you a functional, not paranoid, collision warning system and adaptive cruise control.

My 2011 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost AWD had a base price of $48,985, including a $825 destination charge. Options add up quickly, and my car came equipped with the $3,500 Rapid Spec 201A Package (Voice Activated Nav, THX Certified Audio with Dolby 5.1 Surround, Rear View Camera, Dual Panel Moonroof), the $495 Red Candy Metallic paint, the $2,995 EcoBoost Appearance Package (20” Polished Aluminum Wheels, Floor Mats, Interior Metallic Package, 245/45-20 Tires, Leather Steering Wheel), the $535 Active Park Assist and the $1,295 Adaptive Cruise Control / Collision Warning system. The options alone totaled $8,820, which pushed the price of my MKS tester to $57,805. By comparison, a similarly equipped BMW 550i xDrive would sticker at $72,400, a comparably equipped Audi A6 would sticker at $60,475 and a comparably equipped Mercedes-Benz E550 4Matic would sticker at $72,825.

Some would argue that you can buy a loaded Buick LaCrosse for less money, but the Buick only comes with a V6 and you lose features like the Park Assist, collision warning and adaptive cruise control. A Cadillac CTS sedan, in AWD, would also sticker for less but doesn’t include V8 horsepower or the techno-gadgetry of the Lincoln. When it comes to that amount of horsepower and that amount of technology, the playing field narrows quickly until you’re left with very few choices, all of which are more expensive than the Lincoln. Unless you need a sedan that’s built in Germany, the Lincoln is certainly worth a test drive.

A few weeks ago when I was in California testing the new Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon I had a chance to meet with some of the engineers and designers responsible for bringing all of Cadillac’s V-products to life. Max Wolff was one of those people, in fact a group of journalists spent two days with this guy asking him questions and picking his brain about the future of Cadillac, something that he seemed to be generally excited about. Apparently though Ford had other plans for the young Australian born designer because they just snatched him up so he could help redesign Lincoln. Hell, so much for brand loyalty…

Wolff will begin his term at the Ford Motor Company on January 3rd, 2011 and with that Ford hopes he’ll bring a fresh new look to their somewhat stale Lincoln division. J Mays, chief creative officer and Ford Motor Company’s group vice president of Design states,

“Max’s drive, talent and knowledge of automotive design within the premium segment of the market makes him a great addition to the global design team.”

Wolff already has a great track record, as we think that the new CTS-V cars from Cadillac look and feel fantastic. Let’s just hope for his sake that he can pump as much new adrenaline into the Lincoln brand as he did for Cadillac.

Via