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2010 Lincoln MKT: Crossover gets EcoBoost
JOHN LEBLANC FOR THE TORONTO STAR
Lincoln MKT is a six- or seven-passenger luxury crossover that offers Ford’s new, more powerful EcoBoost V6 as a $3,400 option.
ROMEO, MICH.–During the current new-car sales meltdown, Ford has been able to go about its business relatively unscathed in the media because it hasn't required a government bailout. Sales are down, like just about everyone else's. But at least the automaker continues to roll out a slew of new vehicles, including a type of vehicle Ford's Lincoln luxury brand has never had to offer.
In addition to the updated 2010 Ford Fusion and heavily updated Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS sedans, the Lincoln MKT is also coming this summer.
Wedged between the eight-passenger Navigator full-size SUV and the five-passenger MKZ mid-size crossover, the MKT seats six or seven across three rows. As the Acura MDX is to the Honda Pilot, the MKT is supposed to be a more upscale, stylish and luxurious version of the mainstream Ford Flex crossover with which the Lincoln shares many of its nuts and bolts.
When the all-wheel-drive MKT hits Lincoln showrooms later this summer, two models will be available. For about $6,000 more than a fully loaded Flex, the base $49,950 MKT comes with Ford's 3.7-litre V6. But the MKT's $3,400 EcoBoost engine upgrade is the more interesting choice.
We've been hearing about Ford's EcoBoost engine technology for about a year and a half. It's part of the automaker's long-term plan to deal with more restrictive government CO2 emissions and fuel use rules coming early in the next decade.
The strategy is straightforward: replace large naturally aspirated engines with smaller powerplants. But instead of the lethargic turbocharged downsized engines from the 1980s, EcoBoost adds twin-turbos and direct-injection, promising a no-compromise approach to performance (see article, page W32).
Although we'll eventually see four-cylinder EcoBoost engines, the first application is a 3.5-litre V6 that will be available not only as an option on the 2010 MKT, but also Flex, MKS, Taurus SHO sports sedan, and eventually the Ford F-150 pickup.
After a day driving some pilot production MKTs powered by EcoBoost V6s at Ford's Michigan proving grounds, the automaker's claim of delivering the fuel economy of a regular V6, yet the performance of a larger V8, appears to be true.
The entry-level MKT gets 268 hp and 267 lb.-ft. of torque from the base 3.7-litre six, and an estimated 15.7 L/100 km (17.9 miles per Imperial gallon) in the city and 10.2 L/100 km (27.6 m.p.g.) on the highway. The base car plays nice with other well-to-do hockey parent ("It's not a minivan!") rides, like the aforementioned MDX, Buick Enclave or Mercedes-Benz R 350.
Now what about the MKT with the EcoBoost V6?
Fuel mileage claims are comparable to the regular engine: 14.7 L/100 km (19.2 m.p.g.) in the city and 10.7 L/100 km (26.4 m.p.g.) on the highway.
Ho, hum. Nothing to write David Suzuki about there.
However, the EcoBoost V6's 355 hp and 350 lb.-ft. ratings mean the large Lincoln crossover betters some of its V8 rivals in more ways than one.
Compared to a $65,895 Volvo XC90 V8, or $75,100 Audi Q7 4.2, the MKT/EcoBoost uses less fuel, delivers a better power-to-weight ratio, and costs a lot less.
The EcoBoost V6's fat and flat torque curve meant the Lincoln crossover was – when compared to an Audi Q7 V8 that Ford had on hand – more responsive at throttle tip-in and in 100-to-120 km/h passing manoeuvres. The mandatory six-speed automatic transmission (upgraded with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, revised gears, clutches and torque converter for EcoBoost use) seemed well-matched to the meaty engine.
In lieu of all that power and torque, the MKT pulled away from rest smoothly and quietly. In fact, overall refinement is a big feature in the MKT's driving portfolio.
Thicker acoustic side glass and an upgraded body structure over the Flex means the MKT is much quieter at speed, even above 160 km/h on Ford's high speed oval. And the Lincoln is also blessed with a nice combination of (relatively) taut handling without a jarring ride.
Over a section of the test track (that did its best to replicate the wavy wallows of a spring-thaw Ontario back road), the Audi would bottom out or shake from side-to-side, where the Lincoln had better rebound control, giving it a calmer, flatter, more composed ride.
We'll need more kilometres with kids and kit aboard, but the MKT's interior seems to have picked up from the Flex (Ford's best interior to date), and then added some.
Room for middle-row occupants is particularly generous. The Lincoln's dashboard and door panels' fit and finish won't disappoint luxury buyers.
Seats are supportive with long lower cushions to provide thigh support. And all MKTs get a large fixed glass roof as standard.
If there's a caveat, it's that its angled rear glass compromises the Lincoln's third-row space compared to the boxier Ford.
In lieu of the 2010 Lincoln MKT's best-in-class price, performance and fuel-economy advantages, "large" and "luxurious" vehicles aren't exactly flying out of new-car dealer showrooms these days.
The critically acclaimed Flex hasn't lived up to sales expectations. So adding yet another low-volume, large vehicle to its lineup is no guarantee Ford won't join its Detroit brethren on the government bread line.
Hope herein lies when EcoBoost's advantages can be applied to smaller, more relevant vehicles like the Ford Focus, Escape or Fusion. The sooner the better.
Freelance auto writer John LeBlanc can be reached at editors@straight-six.com
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