Son, you’re gonna drive me to drinkin’, if ya don’t stop drivin’ that hot rod Lincoln. Yeah, way back when, Lincolns were not cars to be trifled with. They had big enough plants and there was enough go fast goodies out there that you wouldn’t treat them the way … well, the way you’d look at a Lincoln today.

Sure, for the past however long, they’ve been very nice and luxurious Fords, but performance cars? Not so much. Lincoln is looking to change that with three customized rides rolling out at this years SEMA show.

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Pros

• 355 hp EcoBoost engine with a power band wider than the Grand Canyon
• Active Park Assist feature that works 10x better than Toyota/Lexus
• More standard luxury features than its closest competitors
• A ride quieter than Tibetan Buddhist Monastery
• No longer using switches and knobs from the Ford-Mercury parts bin

Cons

• Oversize split-bow grill is more ugly than intimidating
• Supposed to be smaller than a Navigator, but still really large

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, also known as the IIHS has just given its highest safety rating to three new model rides: The Dodge Journey, Lincoln MKT and Mazda Mazda3. All three of the cars got top marks in the front, side and rear impact tests and all three featured standard stability control.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said in a statement that “Criteria to win are tough because the award is intended to drive continued safety improvements.”

Only the Dodge received the IIHS’ top marks in every single category whereas the Lincoln and Mazda received “Acceptable” ratings in other categories. The Insurance Institute said that the Lincoln and Mazda’s overall evaluations were robust enough to receive the “Top Safety Pick” award.

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By Gary Chan

Pros:

• Microsoft Sync (for the most part)
• Ride quality
• Quiet cockpit

Cons:

• Torque steer
• Small rear seat
• No auto unlock feature with smart key

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By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• Top-shelf interior with cooled seats
• Sync system is easy to use, even for a Luddite
• Trick “Easy Fuel” capless fuel filler
• Moderately athletic while still being a terrific highway cruiser

Dings:

• Good thing Sync is easy to use, because the Nav system is rage-inducing
• Ford spec interior components remind you that you’re in a $45K Ford
• If you think you can squeeze into that parking space…you can’t

Ruling: The MKS is bigger than you think, more refined than you think and more pleasing than you think - assuming that you think.

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New for 2008
After debuting for the 2008 model year, the 2008 Lincoln MKX receives a number of standard features including heated and cooled front seats, power lumbar driver and front passenger seats, easy entry driver’s seat, memory driver’s seat and side mirrors, auto-dimming driver’s side mirror, a Reverse Sensing System, Sync communications and entertainment system, THX II-certified audio system and SIRIUS Satellite Radio. A new Limited Edition is available that features a variety of colors, interior accents, chrome exterior door handles, unique badging and 20-inch chrome-clad wheels. The 20-inch wheels are also optional for the regular MKX.

The MKX is the luxury edition of the Ford Edge. Is the MKX ‘bling’ worth the extra cha-ching over the Edge? Tune in to find out the answer as Kurt reviews the Lincoln MKX

Customers Also Snap Up Hybrids, Cars, Sync

• Ford Motor Company sales totaled 182,951 in November, up 0.4 percent versus a year ago.
• All-new Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX paced Ford, Lincoln and Mercury crossovers to a sales increase of 119 percent; year-to-date crossover sales were up 63 percent.
• Ford Focus posts 18 percent sales gain and Ford Fusion sales were up 39 percent.
• SYNC-equipped units are turning fast and elevating opinions and consideration for Ford.
• Lincoln retail sales were higher for the 14th month in a row.
• Ford announces first quarter 2008 North American production.

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec 3 – Continued growth in crossover sales and increased demand for hybrids, fuel-efficient cars and Ford’s industry-exclusive SYNC in-car connectivity technology drove Ford Motor Company’s (NYSE:F) sales in November. Company sales totaled 182,951, up 0.4 percent versus a year ago. November marked the first sales increase following 12 months of declines.

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by Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• Attractive exterior
• Monastary silent Interior
• Car-like handling
• IIHS “Top Safety Pick”

Dings:

• Questionable value next to the Ford Edge
• Chintsy interior electronics and “satin nickel” are a Ford giveaway
• Heavy for a CUV

Ruling: Attractive, blinging luxury you’d never guess was made by Ford…until you get inside.

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Nov 14, 1:27 AM EST

Lincoln, long content to be your grandfather’s brand, is enjoying a revival thanks to new products and a new emphasis at Ford Motor Co. on rebuilding the 86-year-old nameplate.

Those efforts will be in focus Wednesday with the introduction of Lincoln’s new flagship sedan, the MKS, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The auto show opens to the public Friday after two days of media previews.

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Sticker price under $38,000

DETROIT — Ford Motor Co.’s Lincoln brand, trying to regain traction in the cutthroat luxury car market, today launches its new full-size flagship sedan, the MKS, at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The first of Lincoln’s MKS sedans to hit showrooms in early 2008 will be powered by Ford’s new 270 horsepower, 265 lb.-ft. torque 3.7-liter V-6 engine, developed specifically for Lincoln.

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