2011 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost – ‘Luxury and Efficiency’

posted by Harvey Schwartz
Filed under Automotive, Featured, Lincoln, Test Drives

When you see a luxurious, high-performing sport sedan on the road you may think that it is a ‘gas-guzzler’ and the wealthy owner doesn’t care much of the environmental damage that it causes. If that luxury high-performing sport sedan is the new 2011 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost you’d be wrong because this car offers smooth performance from direct injected and turbocharged 3.5 liter V6 engine providing V8 power with V6 fuel economy and lower emissions. The 2011 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost flagship sedan evokes luxury from its exceptional quietness and comfort to its premium materials, class-exclusive features and confident high-performance driving demeanor.

Putting you in command, the Lincoln MKS EcoBoost chassis provides supreme isolation from the road noise and harshness but doesn’t isolate you from the road. The electric power-assisted rack & pinion steering gives an excellent feel for the road, is not over-boosted and with a strut tower brace up front it gives very quick and accurate reaction to your inputs. The ride is smooth yet taut, braking is linear and controlled, and with a twin-turbocharged 3.5 liter Direct Injected, DOHC, all-aluminum V6 engine with intake variable cam timing this potent engine generates a very healthy 355hp at 5,500rpm and 350lb.ft. of torque at 5,250rpm.

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This powerful, high-tech V6 engine is mated to a six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission with paddle shift activation. This advanced six-speed gearbox offers you a choice between fully automatic operation, and when the time and place is right, manual control. In addition, paddle shifters are integrated into the steering wheel spokes. Intuitive to operate, a squeeze back on either paddle will deliver an upshift, while a gentle push forward on either paddle will induce a ‘matched-rev’ downshift. This capability makes the Lincoln MKS driving experience sporty yet smooth. Unlike some competitive transmissions, SelectShift won’t ‘second guess’ you with an override shift. With SelectShift, manual control is truly manually controlled.

All MKS models with the EcoBoost engine come standard with the great all-wheel drive transmission that enhances the vehicle’s capability in a variety of weather conditions while further enhances its stability and cornering capabilities. The AWD system is full automatic using an advanced array of internal electromechanical clutches to efficiently distribute torque between front and rear wheels as needed. With the 3.5 liter V6 and the six-speed automatic transmission spinning all-four wheels, EPA specs are 17mpg/city and 25mpg/highway, specs you’ll find in larger displacement V8 engines. The MKS races out to 60mph from a standstill in just 5.4 seconds, good numbers for a V6 powered luxury sport sedan.

You will appreciate the solitude that comes courtesy of the MKS’s premium noise, vibration and harshness characteristics. Chassis and body bracing and strategically placed sound-deadening materials produce an extraordinary level of cabin isolation giving you a sense of sanctuary when is a thoughtful mood, or turn up the THX audio system and enjoy your favorite music without any outside interference.

The structural stiffness is supplemented by a suspension designed to further isolate occupants while also enhancing the driving experience when pushed hard. Up front is an independent MacPherson strut setup with rear facing L-shaped lower control arms, coil springs, a 26mm stabilizer bar all held tight with an isolated subframe. The rear independent multi-link setup includes coil-over shocks, stamped steel lower control arms, cast upper control arms and a 21mm stabilizer bar. Mounts and bushings have been carefully tuned, and spring/shock tuning and front suspension geometry have been engineered to give you exceptional handling capabilities in a full-size luxury sedan.

In addition, the MKS EcoBoost takes the tuning further with larger stabilizer bars that provide flatter cornering characteristics, and a front subframe that aids in handling dynamics perfectly matched to its powerful, responsive turbocharged engine-all without sacrificing the luxurious ride Lincoln owners demand.

Slowing the MKS EcoBoost down from speed is easy and fast with 12.25 inch front discs with dual-piston calipers and 12.75 inch discs clamped with single-piston calipers in the rear. Standard ABS, BA, AdvanceTrak Electronic Stability Control and Brake Actuated Traction Control enhance your control when braking under severe condition.

Coming down the mountain during my photo shoot I did notice a lot of smoke coming from all four wheels when I reached the bottom stop sign so I would encourage Lincoln to put in large rotors and maybe four-piston calipers up front and dual-piston calipers in the rear for ‘fade-free’ and ‘smoke-free’ braking under heavy loads. The car is fast and begs to be pushed hard!

My test MKS EcoBoost rides on optional, wheel-well stuffing 20X8 inch, multi-spoke, polished aluminum alloy wheels wrapped with Michelin 245/45R20 inch high-performance, all-season radial tires for excellent grip and a very compliant ride.

New for 2011, music lovers will enjoy the addition of HD radio technology to the available voice-activated navigation system. The HD radio receiver enables more listening options and digital sound quality with no additional equipment or cost. To use HD radio, listeners simply tune in their favorite station. If the station is broadcasting with HD radio technology, the system automatically picks up the signal and will transition to digital audio once decoded.

The Lincoln SYNC voice-activated in-vehicle connectivity system, standard on the MKS, now integrates Traffic, Directions & Information with the voice-activated navigation system. Traffic, Directions & Information leverages industry-leading voice-recognition software, integrates GPS technology and a customer’s Bluetooth capable mobile phone to provide simple hands-free access to personalized traffic reports, precise turn-by-turn driving directions and up-to-date information including business listings, news, sports and weather.

The new MKS EcoBoost delivers technologies aimed at making life luxurious for both driver and passengers. A holistic approach was used to develop these features, where ease of use and intuitive operation were key objectives. Nowhere is this focus more apparent than with Active Park Assist that is enabled by the electric power assist steering system (EPAS).

This technology employs an ultrasonic-based sensing system, as opposed to video camera-reliant competitive offerings, making parallel parking a breeze. Active Park Assist activates at the touch of a button, determining an adequate parking sport, detecting the edges of adjacent objects to calculate an optimized angle, and then steering the MKS into the sport while coaching you through conventional throttle and braking inputs.

In addition to completing a parking maneuver quickly, Active Park Assist also works in uphill parking situations, unlike some competitive systems.

Also working in conjunction with EPAS, Pull-Drift Compensation is a software-based technology that helps you offset vehicle pulling or drifting than can occur in steady crosswinds or on uneven road surfaces. Pull-Drift Compensation uses sensors to constantly measure the steering input applied to help maintain the vehicle’s chose path; it automatically compensates for slight steering changes causes by environmental factors such as road crowning or steady crosswinds.

On the road, Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support allows you to set and maintain vehicle speed, while radar monitors traffic ahead of you. This optional system automatically adjusts speed and slows the vehicle to maintain the set distance behind the traffic ahead.

Collision Warning with Brake Support provides you with a ‘head’s-up’ display that flashes on the windshield if the system senses a potential collision with the vehicle in front of it. If you don’t respond and a collision is imminent, the system with pre-charged the brakes and increase brake assist sensitivity to provide full responsiveness when you do use the brake pedal.

MyKey allows parents or other concerned owners to restrict certain MKS features when in the hands of a MyKey driver. Parents simply program the vehicle through the message center to incorporate features such as limited top speed of 80mph, traction control system that limits tire spin cannot be deactivated, audio system volume limited to 44% of maximum volume, and a speed alert chime at 45, 55 or 65mph.

Lincoln SYNC is standard and provides all occupants with voice-activated communications and infotainment, including 911 Assist, Vehicle Health Report and Traffic, Directions & Information.

MKS is offered with two audio technology choices: standard is a THX II Certified car audio system with AM-FM-CD6/DVD/MP3 capability, 10-speakers, SIRIUS satellite radio, an auxiliary jack and a USB port. The optional navigation system includes an internal hard drive for map and point-of-interest information storage, THX II Certified car audio system with 14 strategically aimed premium audio speakers and HD Radio technology. In addition, a SIRIUS Traffic and SIRUS Travel link subscription is included with the navigation system, providing coast-to-coast weather date, forecasts, fuel prices, sports scores, movie listings and more.

The available navigation system also enables you to display personal photos on the center stack-mounted touch screen. The system can store and display up to 32 photos, sized 1.5MB or less. The home screen can be personalized by display, desired information, or photos in one-two-or three panel views.

Both audio technology choices feature an internal Jukebox hard drive for storage of up to 150 hours of recorded audio entertainment. Users can browse the Jukebox via touch or voice control. Gracenote technology will display the CD cover when a selected track is playing.

On the inside, the meticulously detailed 2011 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost delivers a precision-crafted environment resplendent in premium leather trim real aluminum and metal accents. Elegant, flowing surfaces create the feeling that the interior has been sculpted, rather than constructed. The flow-through center stack is topped with an integrated information screen that also serves as the screen for the optional navigation system. The entire top of the dash is covered in premium leather, and a wide piece of real aluminum with carbon fiber-like swirls rides the dashboard from one end to the other.

A philosophy of ‘guilt-free luxury’ means Lincoln MKS strives to use materials and processes that reflect the finer things in life, but not at the expense of the world around it.

An example is the leather for the seats by Bridge of Weir, the same Scottish company that supplied hides for the iconic Continental Mark II, was chosen for its high quality and its organic, chromium-free tanning methods.

Lincoln comfort seats, developed for the MKS, feature side bolster supports designed for spirited driving. The standard heated and cooled, 12-way power driver and front passenger seats offer four-way lumbar for added comfort on long drives. Rear seat passengers also enjoy a luxury experience as they have standard heated rear outboard seats. Recessed into the front and rear door openings, cleverly designed hidden rocker panels allow for a low step-over height, making it easier to enter and exit. This design helps shield the rockers from the elements, reducing the likelihood of soiling shoes or trousers when entering or exiting the car. Grab handles above each door further help when entering or exiting.

Standard features inside and outside the new MKS EcoBoost, not mentioned above, include adaptive HID headlamps, foglamps, heated power remote sideview mirrors, easy fuel Capless fuel filler, sporty, leather-wrapped, tilt-telescoping steering wheel with cruise-control, audio and Bluetooth buttons, two-driver memory for seats/sideview mirrors, steering wheel, leather/chrome stick shifter, dual-zone electronic auto climate control, push button start/stop, ambient lighting, all express power windows/door locks, self-dimming reaview mirror, dual lighted vanity mirrors, a center console with dual cupholders, deep storage bin and sliding leather padded armrests, easy-to-see, chrome ringed instrument cluster, all dials, switches and levers within easy reach and fully illuminated, dual panel electric sunroof, storage slots in the doors, map pockets behind the front seats, reading lamps in the rear, pull-down center armrest and dual cupholders in the rear, a rear pass-thru for longer storage items, remote trunk release, thick cut-pile carpeting and front/rear floor mats.

The red candy metallic tined clear-coat paint is a $495.00 option and really sparkles and draws attention to the beautifully detailed and sculpted exterior design of the MKS EcoBoost with its coupe-like profile, split-wing Lincoln signature front fascia with sculpted lens clusters, lower air intake, scalloped hood, deeply raked A-pillars, full-perimeter greenhouse chrome strip, side roof mounted chrome strip, pull-out door handles, flared fenders, deep side extensions, fast rear glass, a short trunk lid with integral lip spoiler, large rear lamp clusters, a bold rear bumper and dual, 3 inch wide, polished stainless steel dual exhaust tips. From any angle, the new MKS EcoBoost speaks sleek, sexy luxury and high-performance.

The MKS features an advanced structural safety system that combines octagonal front frame rails, tunnel rails and support members designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the passenger compartment. MKS also features Side Protection and Cabin Enhancement (SPACE) Architecture to optimize side-impact occupant protection.

The SPACE system integrates a hydroformed high-strength steel tube embedded in the floor that runs the width of the vehicle from B-pillar to B-pillar and along the rocker panels to form a safety cage to help protect passengers in side-impact incidents. Also included is the enhanced Personal Safety System combining multiple technologies to help tailor the airbags and seatbelt functions to each individual passenger and the particular accident circumstances. The system can identify variables, such as severity of the crash, weight of the individual passenger and seatbelt usage to adjust deployment force.

Standard safety features include AdvanceTrac electronic stability control with Brake Actuated Traction Control, dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags and side curtains, safety canopy an exclusive side-impact protection system employing side curtain airbags to help protect front and outboard rear passengers in both rollover and side-impact crashes, dual front seatbelts with pretensioners/load limiters, 3-point seatbelts for all rear passengers, tire pressure monitoring system, SOS Post-Crash Alert System flashes signal lights and sounds the horn in the event of an accident, and the LATCH system for child seats.

With a base price of just $48,160.00 and $56,980.00 fully loaded, the new 2011 Lincoln MKS is one of the world’s best looking and best luxury equipped sport sedans. It has it all to enjoy the ride and the interior luxury, convenience and high-tech amenities.