Lincoln offers full-size luxury crossover customers a choice with new 2010 Lincoln MKT, a three-row road that provides an optimal blend of fuel economy, performance, technology and space.
"We're growing Lincoln's product portfolio with a size crossover that offers more of everything luxury buyers want today - including more variety," said Mark Fields, Ford president of America. "Lincoln MKT will help us build momentum for Lincoln, which was faster than its competitors for luxury and growing market share in recent months."
The new 2010 Lincoln MKT is larger than the two-row Lincoln MKX mid-size premium crossover and joins the rich and sporty Lincoln MKS luxury sedan in 2008, and the new Lincoln MKZ sedan that hits the market next spring.
Standard on every Lincoln MKT is the signature design of the brand - with a split waterfall grille, a beveled chamfer along the shoulder of the vehicle, a stub tail lights flows affecting greenhouse and full-width horizontal span the subtly curved tailgate magnesium weight gain that adds visual character while protecting generous rear cargo space.
Precision Lincoln MKT craftsmanship is world class panel margins and the tactile quality of interior surfaces and finishes.
Inside, high-quality materials and precision sewing crafts are displayed on all surfaces - from leather-trimmed seating surfaces and floating armrests to the optional flow-through of the second row center console and instrument cluster Jewel acrylic with LED illumination White.
Balancing power and efficiency
Fuel consumption also comes as standard on the Lincoln MKT - and customers have a choice of two powerful and practical V-6 engines.
A 3.7-liter 24-valve variation of the award-winning Duratec engine family is standard. Provide an expected 268 horsepower at 6500 RPM and 267 lb-ft of torque at 4250 rpm, the engine has been optimized to provide quick acceleration and smooth power.
Important moment in the engineering and development have been invested in the 3.7-liter Duratec V-6 to deliver best in class noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) control. Lincoln MKT was compared to domestic tranquility to allow normal conversation in the car, with an articulation index.
A fuel pump with two speeds and aggressive deceleration fuel stop (ADFSO), along with optimized transmission and final drive gears are designed to allow the engine to deliver segment-leading fuel economy in the Lincoln MKT.
To feel even more performance driving, Lincoln MKT also offers a 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6. This engine provides the power of a naturally aspirated engine with V-8 fuel economy V-6. This advanced engine delivers a first class, an estimated 355 horsepower at 5700 rpm, 350 lb-ft, while the generation of torque at 3500 RPM.
EcoBoost is a global Ford strategy to provide the power that customers want, along with the fuel they need. The combination of direct fuel injection with twin turbochargers and small displacement engine, EcoBoost can match the power of large naturally aspirated engines while providing gains torque and fuel economy.
Packing pressure direct injection helps eliminate the "turbo lag" associated with earlier turbocharged engines. And even more power, fuel economy is optimized for the higher compression ratio, the use of air cooling and sophisticated knock controls.
Lincoln MKT is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission SelectShift ®. This advanced gearbox offers the driver to choose between fully automatic and manual control.
In addition, the paddles are built into the steering wheel spokes. Intuitive to use, tighten the back two palettes give you a hand, while a push to one side or paddle will induce a "match-rev" downshift.
This feature makes the Lincoln MKT driving experience sporty, yet coherent. Unlike other competitive transmissions, SelectShift not "guess" the driver ignores the turn. With SelectShift, manual control is truly manually controlled.
All-wheel drive is optional on the Lincoln MKT with the standard 3.7-liter V-6. The AWD option enhances the vehicle's ability in a variety of weather conditions. The sophisticated AWD is fully automatic, using an advanced array of internal electromechanical clutches to efficiently distribute torque between front and rear wheels as needed. AWD is standard on the Lincoln MKT with the EcoBoost 3.5-liter V-6.
Quiet, confident motoring
"Lincoln MKT strikes the optimum balance between capable and committed drivers working at the same time produces a quiet smooth ride in all three lines," said Chief Engineer Ron Heiser. "It combines a luxury touring experience with an agile ride and available Class III towing strength, as well."
Key elements of the development of Lincoln MKT suspension and tuning included minimizing front end lift on acceleration, offering stable and engaging steering and handling characteristics that provide confidence to all drivers, while offering a luxurious ride quality consistent with Lincoln brand character.
A new rear suspension system features a "one to one" ratio of the shock. The resulting linear response gave the engineering team a stable base line for suspension tuning, so the team to provide a better balance between handling and control and a smooth ride. It also improves rear suspension isolation and enables to use 20-inch wheels.
Lincoln MKT to provide a new level of quiet confidence that offers the highest levels of NVH control category. Virtual modeling and wind tunnel tests helped engineers optimize the impact of the vehicle on all sides of the rear view mirror placement and special sound-absorbing insulation bulkhead large exhaust system and the inclusion of both an acoustic windshield and dual layer front glass specifically to reduce wind noise pillar.
Of the 3.5 EcoBoost V-6 equipped versions, engineers directed additional effort to minimizing induction noise, while providing a rewarding sound cadence to Lincoln MKT acceleration.
Premier Innovations
Lincoln MKT offers a wide range of technologies to make the life of luxury as well as the driver and three rows of passengers. Holistic approach was used to develop these services, with ease of use and intuitive operation were key objectives. Nowhere is this more evident than focus on the Active Park Assist.
Lincoln MKT EcoBoost features advanced Electronic Power Steering with (EPAS), which enables the optional Active Park Assist. This innovative Lincoln-exclusive technology uses a system based on ultrasonic sensors, in contrast to camera-dependent competitive bidding, so hands-free parallel parking.
Active Park Assist works at the touch of a button, requiring less driver programming, reducing the risk of choosing the wrong size parking space, detecting edges of adjacent objects to calculate optimized process and "control "Lincoln MKT while coaching the driver through conventional gas and brake inputs.
In addition to pre-parking maneuver quickly, Active Park Assist works in uphill parking situations unlike competitive systems on the market.
