Lincoln

2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid: Efficient, luxurious, priced right

One major consideration for car buyers considering a hybrid is the cost increase from the gas-only equivalent. Lincoln avoids the potential consternation. The 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is priced the same as its gas-only sibling. Lincoln for several years has been trying to regain its luster of yesteryear. The MKZ Hybrid was introduced in 2011 as part of the initiative. It’s the manufacturer’s first entry into alternative engines, and the price match is unique in the industry. The entire MKZ lineup this year received a refresh. The interior changes included and updated radio and climate controls and a simplified console. The exterior tweaking resulted in a new front grille, new headlights and a sleeker body. The MKZ Hybrid is powered

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2017 Lincoln MKZ: A worthy underdog luxury sedan

Four years after its last redesign, the 2017 Lincoln MKZ received an interior refresh and an exterior facelift. The five-seat luxury sedan debuted in 2006 as the Zephyr and was renamed the MKZ the following year. Regardless of the badge, the underdog Lincoln is still seeking a better market share. It’s positioned among the most competitive automotive segments. Since its debut, the vehicle gas-only trims have sold more than 34,000 units in the United States in a year only twice. Sales the last two years were slightly more than 30,000. Available with gas-only or hybrid engines, the Lincoln MXZ has four trim levels. The standard letter or number sequences many manufacturers use has been dispatched for Premier, Select, Reserve and

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Automotive technology overload can ruin your day

The Interstate 680 South and Highway 24 West interchange in Walnut Creek, California, is a manic maze. It’s often a showcase for drivers’ worst behaviors. You can drive it a thousand times, prepare for a safe move to the proper lane and still face peril. The freeways’ designs don’t help. Rather, the awkward connection between the roads often prompts motoring lunacy. Cars cut across lanes at the last second and merging traffic from freeway ramps isn’t given proper access. But there’s a still a potential positive in the chaos. However hectic the traffic gets, modern automotive technology can help, except for when it doesn’t. Such was the case recently while approaching the 680 South to 24 West traffic mess in

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2016 Lincoln MKX: Luxury defined, tech overload

The redesigned 2016 Lincoln MKX fits ideally into a new, expanding automotive segment — vehicles hampered by technology overload. The sport utility vehicle has a detection systems so sensitive, it just doesn’t know when to shut up. It’s all for safety, of course. But while cornering after ignition or advancing in reverse, warning sounds abruptly blast when the vehicle is seemingly within a block of animals, curbs, trees, buildings, parked cars or passersby. It’s the same on the open road. Maneuver to change lanes and you get an ear full even if the situation seems safe. Detection systems help prevent potential catastrophe. But the sound sensors on the new Lincoln are super sensitive, loud and can create the potential for

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Lincoln Continental is back, but can Ford icon rule again?

The Lincoln Continental, the once iconic luxury car owned by hot rod racers and a brand to movie stars like Elizabeth Taylor, is back. Ford has announced the sedan will be unveiled with a new look and minus its recent MKS name as a concept vehicle at the New York Auto Show. The show begins April 3. The Continental, which will likely be available to the public 2016, will have a new 3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price has not been announced. Lincoln, which debuted as a manufacturer in 1915, was once the dominant luxury brand. But that hasn’t been the case in many years with auto industry experts wondering if the Lincoln name would survive. The

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Jim Carrey mocks Lincoln in SNL brilliance

From its debut, the Lincoln MKC commercials featuring Matthew McConaughey driving slowly were an easy target. He speaks nearly inaudibly. He’s seriously contemplating life. And just what is McConaughey doing driving late at night, dressed well but with seemingly no place to go? McConaughey has always been an easy target. He made movies for years while rarely wearing a shirt.There’s his often difficult to understand accent. There’s his overt enthusiasm and chiseled face. And there several lackluster performances in early career movies easy criticize. But McConaughey is now a bonafide movie star with an Academy Award for best actor and several other recent strong films to his credit.But who better than Jim Carrey to poke fun at McConaughey’s demeanor and

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The 2014 Lincoln MKZ: Strong luxury car contender

Maybe you’d rather have a Lincoln. The 2014 Lincoln MKZ sedan turns heads, and it’s been a long time since this automaker has built a car that does that. MKZ is part of Lincoln‘s attempt to put it on the lists of more luxury car buyers. It has the looks, ride and handling to make it competitive with some Cadillacs and foreign luxury car models. Steering is sharp, an adaptive suspension makes the ride comfortable, and the car handles as well as some top-line European and Asian luxury sports sedans. The brake pedal has a good feel and causes the anti-lock brakes to bite early and surely. So why hasn’t Lincoln offered a car such as the MKZ several years

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History of the LA Auto Show: VW, Lincoln, Mini-me?

Product specialists at the LA Auto Show and other auto shows around the globe enjoy their work on serious and not-so serious occasions. Two women product specialists who had just met worked for Buick at the LA Auto Show in 2012. They looked liked twin sisters despite a substantial height different. “Doesn’t she look like my personal “mini-me?,” one of the women said during the first media day and in a reference to the character in the Austin Powers movies. And when asked if she was prepared for the first public day of the show, she said: “This is my first show; Is there a difference?” The product specialist concept dates nearly 90 years and it’s detailed in the 2008

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LA Auto Show: Lincoln looks back before moving forward with new design

Lincoln is approaching its 100th anniversary (the company was founded in 1915), and the iconic carmaker is taking one of the most unique approaches at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It’s showcasing its past before it showcases its future. On the first of two media days on Nov. 28, Lincoln is presenting seven of its iconic cars, a 1956 Continental Mark II once owned by Elizabeth Taylor to a 1937 Zephyr to a 1932 Lincoln KB Lebaron. On second media day and when the show opens to the public Nov. 30, the vintage Lincolns will be replaced several MKZ models. “We have new design team and Lincoln is moving forward,” said a Lincoln spokesman. “We got rid of Mercury to

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Lincoln, Lexus claim J.D. Power Dependability Study honors

Luxury nameplates Lincoln and Lexus took top honors while models from their respective manufacturers, Ford and Toyota, dominated segment rankings in the 2011 J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study. Lincoln was most dependable and Lexus was second best while Ford and Toyota combined for 11 top individual dependability segment honors. The study considers a year’s worth of issues in three-year old cars that are 3 years old. J.D. Power also has an Initial Quality Study that looks at the first 90 days of ownership. 2011 J.D. Power dependability study totals (problems per 100 vehicles for three years. The industry average in 151. Lincoln, 101; Lexus, 109; Jaguar, 112; Porsche, 114; Toyota, 122; Acura, 123; Buick, 125; Mercedes-Benz, 128; Cadillac,

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Yaris, Touareg, Probe among Cars.com worst named cars

The author writes: “Below are 10 vehicles from the past 30 years with names so awful and awkward that we’re sometimes surprised consumers gave them a shot.” No. 8 on the list, for example, is the Toyota Yaris. The author details: “There was a girl in my dorm freshman year who organized her shoes alphabetically by mood. She majored in dead languages and responded to every single question with ‘no worries.’ She once set the dorm microwave on fire by overcooking a ham-and-cheese Hot Pocket. Yes, that story is ridiculous and nonsensical … sort of like naming a car Yaris.” AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars Here’s

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Lincoln MKT, 2010: Roman Mica's Rambling Review (Video)

The 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost ia unique car. It’s as luxurious as a . . . well, as a Lincoln. And it’s as fast as a Mustang — if a Mustang came with all-wheel drive. The MKT is equipped with about every modern convenience, including adaptive headlamps and cruise control, self parking, blind spot indicator, and duel sunroofs, to name a few. The Lincoln also comes with a 255 HP V-6 twin turbo that produces 0-60 mph in about 6 seconds. That’s as fast as the 385 HP Jaguar I recently drove. So does all of this luxury work in harmony with the hidden hot rod persona? 2010  Lincoln MKT AWD Price as Tested: $55,885.00; Engine, Transmission: 3.5.L V-6  EcoBoost

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Lincoln MKZ, 2007: The Weekly Driver

In its place as a renamed, restyled and more powerful entry level luxury sedan is the MKZ. And, as the adage goes, what difference a year makes. The MKZ is everything the Zephyr wasn’t. It has more horsepower, more interior space (15.8 cubic feet in the trunk, for example), an attractive redesign (including a pronounced chrome front grill and other chrome trim) improved interior refinements and a better warranty. Similar to the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, the MKZ has the high-end standard features apropos the Lincoln tradition. The MKZ is equipped with a host of standard features: 17-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, wood trim, power seats with memory, dual-zone automatic climate control and a seven-speaker CD stereo with an

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