Lincoln Replaces Town Car Limousine with MKT

We received word today that Lincoln will get a pair of new livery vehicles added to its fleet starting in 2012. Both cars will be based off the Lincoln MKT and will replace the soon-to-be defunct Lincoln Town Car, which recently got a model year extension for 2011, according to Ford Fleet.

The Lincoln MKT will be offered in a livery and a limousine model, according to Ford. The livery vehicle won’t have a third row. Instead, a redesigned second row will be stretched and repositioned for more legroom. There are no photos, but we imagine this MKT will be set up like the Concept, which had only two rows of seating, on the inside.

Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Lincoln MKT

Now in its second model year, the 2011 Lincoln MKT is still pretty much as good as it gets in the eyes of Cars.com senior editor David Thomas. Despite a somewhat compromised driving position for taller drivers, a third-row seat that’s usable only for children and an interior that doesn’t quite match its Acura or Buick competitors, David still sees how some, including himself, could love the MKT’s eccentricities. Continue reading to see if the MKT’s unconventional nature will work for you.

2011 Lincoln MKT Review

2011|Lincoln|MKT

Cars.comparison: 2010 Acura MDX, 2010 Buick Enclave, 2010 Lincoln MKT

Skyrocketing fuel prices a few years back created a stigma around driving large luxury SUVs. In response, automakers launched a fleet of car-based family haulers to fulfill the demand for improved fuel economy but still maintain the overall size, ride height and comfort levels that SUVs owners have grown accustomed to. In our latest Cars.comparison, we test three seven-passenger luxury crossovers. Check out and see which model is the best at hauling a large family in style. 

Cars.comparison: Large Luxury Crossovers

2010|Buick|Enclave

2010|Lincoln|MKT

2010|Acura|MDX

Large SUV Sales Surge Faster Than Small Cars

Plug-in electric hybrids and electric cars have taken up much of the digital airwaves over the past few weeks (or years, depending on your perspective), but it may surprise you to find out that “passé” full-size SUVs are increasing in popularity once again. 

So far this year, full-size SUV sales have increased 19%, beating overall industry growth of 17%. The full-size SUV category is composed of large body-on-frame SUVs, like the GMC Yukon, and large crossovers, such as the Lincoln MKT and Chevrolet Traverse. 

Lincoln Rolls Out Free Maintenance Incentive

While many luxury automakers offer free maintenance as a rule, Lincoln is rolling out a short-term incentive through Sept. 7 on all new Lincolns for free maintenance.
 
The program covers scheduled maintenance — including oil changes, tire rotation, inspections and wear-and-tear items like windshield wipers and brake linings — for three years or 45,000 miles. Ford is trying to shine a spotlight on Lincoln as it phases out Mercury this year.
 
The free maintenance program begins today and applies to all new 2010 and 2011 models.

Nine More Cars, SUVs Earn Top Safety Pick Status

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety added a new test for roof strength to its Top Safety Pick award requirements, so it takes more time to test every new car. As the institute continues to test new vehicles, new Top Safety Picks are named.
 
Today, IIHS announced nine new picks all from the 2010 model year, including some brands’ top sellers.

Ford did well with the Fusion sedan and its twins, the Lincoln MKZ and soon-to-be-put-to-pasture Mercury Milan, getting the nod. The large three-row crossover Ford Flex and its Lincoln MKT twin also earned the award.

The Audi A4 sedan and Q5 SUV joined the company’s smaller A3 as award winners. The Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen is the fourth VW, and the Hyundai Tucson became the third Hyundai to get the Top Safety Pick nod.

For those keeping score, Ford now has seven vehicles that have earned the award. Toyota and Lexus have six, Subaru and Chrysler five, GM and Volvo four, Kia three, Honda two, Mercedes-Benz two and Nissan one.

Ford Announces Three More Turbo Engines

Ford has rolled out only one of its EcoBoost turbo engines — a 3.5-liter V-6 found in the Taurus, Flex and Lincoln MKS  and MKT — but the company says it is going all-in on the technology and will add three more globally by the end of 2010.

In the U.S., we’ll see a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the upcoming Ford Explorer — as we learned in January — and the 2011 Ford Edge, which goes on sale this summer, although the EcoBoost might not be available at launch. There was no mention of the Lincoln MKX getting the same engine.

A 3.5-liter turbocharged V-6 engine will also find its way into rear-wheel-drive-equipped F-150s.

European shoppers will get to pick a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the C-Max small van.

All three engines promise power and performance akin to larger engines while returning mileage of smaller ones. However, the current EcoBoost applications carry a higher price tag than base models, like engine upgrades of old. Except now, you’re not upgrading to a V-6 or a V-8, you’re upgrading to a turbocharged four or six.

Cars.com Podcast: Crossover Craziness

It seems the gremlins in our podcast feed have been exposed to sunlight, and our stream of enlightened musings is flowing again. That’s good because it means you get to hear Kelsey Mays explain how the new Honda Accord Crosstour really is like a fish out of water.

His conflicted feelings are countered by David Thomas’ outright love for Lincoln’s MKT, and Joe Wiesenfelder talks about his time in the all-new Audi S4 and why it couldn’t live up to his expectations.

You can download the podcast via iTunes here (yay!) or just hit the play button below. 

Cars.Com Podcast #31

2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost: Through Ian's Lens

The 2010 Lincoln MKT is the most unique-looking vehicle rolling off dealer lots this year. I base this on its defining feature: the grille. There’s not another car — excluding trucks, exotics and kit cars — on the road today with this distinctive grille. From the front, the MKT looks like it’s out to get you. It’s going to swallow you like a whale swallows seawater, and then it will strain you through its baleen-styled grille vents. The MKT will swallow every car on the road. At least that's what I think the MKT's intentions are when I see one on the streets.

In reality, the MKT is Lincoln’s version of the Ford Flex. From the exterior, the two vehicles could not be more different. While the Flex resembles a creased, flattened top hat, the MKT looks like an angry hearse (in a good way). The front fenders are slightly curved and sleek-looking against the wide, multi-slotted grille. Just above the grille, eye-shaped headlights complete the ferocious expression. In the back, a sloped hatch gives the MKT a distinct rear end, while the taillights stretch the crossover’s width to meet at the Lincoln crosshair badge in the center of the liftgate.

From the illuminated instrument panel to the stitched leather on the dash to the two sunroofs above the three rows of seats, the MKT uses lots of aesthetically pleasing materials and designs in the interior. All of these pieces help create a sense of class without being too over the top. Plus, it really looks mean in black. Really mean. Check out the full-screen player after the jump.

Dads Weigh In on Lincoln MKT's Looks

It’s not often I get in a new test car and fall in love with it. I take that back — it’s not often I get a non-sports car/sedan and fall in love with it. As a car reviewer, it does happen, and there are usually good reasons for it. Such was the case with the 2010 Lincoln MKT. I liked the looks, roominess, comfortable seats, tech features, huge sunroof, ease of loading the kids and cargo, and the EcoBoost engine. I just dug it. My full review can be found here.

However, I wondered if other dads shopping for a family crossover or luxury SUV would feel the same way about it. Would the MKT’s looks win them over or drive them away? For the most part, it was a one-sided conversation and I was on the losing end.