Track Tested: 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost

[TuffG929]

Originally Posted by Edmunds Insideline

With the base 3.7-liter V6 engine, the Lincoln MKS is a pretty ordinary luxury car with an uncomfortably large price tag. In our full test of an all-wheel-drive 2009 MKS, we came up with a 7.5-second 0-to-60-mph time (7.2 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a dragstrip) and a 15.4-second quarter-mile at 90 mph. These are hardly the numbers of an elite luxury sedan, and the fact that the engine feels and sounds strained while moving the 4,300-pound MKS certainly doesn't help.

But Ford's twin-turbocharged and direct-injected, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, newly available for 2010, is supposed to change all that. If you've seen the Loveland Pass advertorial, you know that this is trumpeted as the V6 engine of tomorrow -- the one that performs like a V8 without the fuel economy penalty.

Frankly, it better perform like a V8. The EcoBoost option is only available on AWD versions of the 2010 Lincoln MKS, and it adds $5,000 to the price tag right off the bat. Additionally, our fully loaded MKS EcoBoost tester has the $3,500 Ultimate Package (Rapid Spec 201A), which includes a dual-pane sunroof, hard-drive-based navigation with real-time traffic and weather, plus a rearview camera; and a THX 5.1 surround-sound audio system. It also has the EcoBoost Appearance package ($2,995), which provides 20-inch chrome wheels and all sorts of additional flair inside and out, plus adaptive cruise control with collision mitigation ($1,310) and active parking assist ($535). Total damage? $56,625. That easily puts it in the price territory of the Mercedes-Benz E550 and Jaguar XF. Granted, the EcoBoost V6 works miracles in the Ford Flex, but that wagon only costs $40K.

Track Numbers @ LINK

[PAULSTS1]

I awaited the MKS EcoBoost until December 2008 when a decision had to be made, and it was for another vehicle. At $56K, the Lincoln is way over priced as a simply superlative E550 is available for similar exchange.

I have not driven the E550, but have a 09 CLS, it is simply the best luxury sport sedan I have ever owned! Smooth seemingly eternal power, precision, and vault-like quiet--all in a drop dead gorgeous body (I think one of the best ever from MB). However I have shopped on www.mbusa.com and observed the new E550 Coupe which IMO would have suited my purposes even more than what I purchased. The interior redo is amazing.

OK, about the MKS though initially I might have been interested, at the $56K, I would have walked, because similar performance can be obtained from other vehicles with higher pedigree, for similar or even less money!

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by PAULSTS1

I awaited the MKS EcoBoost until December 2008 when a decision had to be made, and it was for another vehicle. At $56K, the Lincoln is way over priced as a simply superlative E550 is available for similar exchange.

I have not driven the E550, but have a 09 CLS, it is simply the best luxury sport sedan I have ever owned! Smooth seemingly eternal power, precision, and vault-like quiet--all in a drop dead gorgeous body (I think one of the best ever from MB). However I have shopped on www.mbusa.com and observed the new E550 Coupe which IMO would have suited my purposes even more than what I purchased. The interior redo is amazing.

OK, about the MKS though initially I might have been interested, at the $56K, I would have walked, because similar performance can be obtained from other vehicles with higher pedigree, for similar or even less money!

Sure, a stripper E550 costs $56,000, but a comparably equipped E550 costs about $72,000 with all the features the MKS has at $56,000, and it's still not as roomy OR fuel efficient.

However, it will do better on a road-racing track, if that's your bag.

[Xenon]

^Too bad its a FWD based system. and if you value unecessary BS features like lane change assistance and active parking assist, I guess one could see the MKS as nice. But this isn't V8 performance at ALL...

But anyway, that's nearly CTS-V money for V6 performance...Great combination for $56K!

[PAULSTS1]

Originally Posted by wescoent

Sure, a stripper E550 costs $56,000, but a comparably equipped E550 costs about $72,000 with all the features the MKS has at $56,000, and it's still not as roomy OR fuel efficient.

However, it will do better on a road-racing track, if that's your bag.

Wasn't comparing the all-new World-Class model (E550)in reality to the MKS EB!
I was more (in the last lines) thinking along the lines of an AUDI S5 starting at about $53K, or even a BMW 5 Series.

[megeebee]

...Loveland Pass advertorial...

I love that.


I have to wonder who might pay $56K for a Turbo- Taurus.

Not that either car is in any way bad, I just think Ford is overestimating their value.

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by Xenon

^Too bad its a FWD based system. and if you value unecessary BS features like lane change assistance and active parking assist, I guess one could see the MKS as nice. But this isn't V8 performance at ALL...

But anyway, that's nearly CTS-V money for V6 performance...Great combination for $56K!

The performance is suspect... Motor Trend got a 5-second 0-60 time out of it.

Originally Posted by PAULSTS1

Wasn't comparing the all-new World-Class model (E550)in reality to the MKS EB!
I was more (in the last lines) thinking along the lines of an AUDI S5 starting at about $53K, or even a BMW 5 Series.

All much smaller cars. I could get a Cadillac DTS as well.

Originally Posted by megeebee

I love that.

I have to wonder who might pay $56K for a Turbo- Taurus.

Not that either car is in any way bad, I just think Ford is overestimating their value.

People are buying them... for some reason, people order Lincolns either as strippers (V6 FWD) or absolutely fully loaded (TT AWD + toys), and I've been told there is interest in this $56,000 chromey tuned super-Taurus.

People are also snapping up the MKT... so there's no accounting for taste among Americans.

[PAULSTS1]

Originally Posted by wescoent

People are buying them... for some reason, people order Lincolns either as strippers (V6 FWD) or absolutely fully loaded (TT AWD + toys), and I've been told there is interest in this $56,000 chromey tuned super-Taurus.

People are also snapping up the MKT... so there's no accounting for taste among Americans.

As a auto enthusiast not with a penchant for any single brand; I am very pleased the MKS is a success! I would have probably owned one if the original had been a V8. I traded a 06 V8 Cadillac STS, so I required something with a least the features it had. The MKT is an innovative milestone for Lincoln, it will be something to watch.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by wescoent

People are also snapping up the MKT... so there's no accounting for taste among Americans.

You've been reading Menken again!

[dreadnaught1181]

Originally Posted by megeebee

I have to wonder who might pay $56K for a Turbo- Taurus.

My father just picked one up to replace his '03 TL-S. Loves everything about the car. If you know how to deal, you get one for a lot less than $56k.

I think this vehicle, while not perfect, represents a step in the right direction for Lincoln as a brand.

[megeebee]

Another thing.

What's the "Eco-" mean? I see a MKS so equipped gets 17/25 MPG which is about the same as the V8 Town car.

It can't stand for "economical" (especially in view of its price).

It can't mean "ecological" looking at the MPG figures.


.

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by megeebee

Another thing.

What's the "Eco-" mean? I see a MKS so equipped gets 17/25 MPG which is about the same as the V8 Town car.

It can't stand for "economical" (especially in view of its price).

It can't mean "ecological" looking at the MPG figures.


.

The Town Cow also produces about 120 less hp.

Not to mention, pull up some economy numbers for vehicles with comparable horsepower. It is definitely fuel efficient for being a high-powered blubber-barge.

[TuffG929]

^ Thats why I'd like to sse them shove this engine into somethin smaller. A Fusion Sport Ecoboost would be one hot ride.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by wescoent

The Town Cow also produces about 120 less hp.

Not to mention, pull up some economy numbers for vehicles with comparable horsepower. It is definitely fuel efficient for being a high-powered blubber-barge.

All very nice. But the whole "eco-" thing was, we've been told ad naseum," V8 performance with V6 fuel consumtion." What I see is V8 performance (and a very good V8) for V8 fuel consumption.

Instead of spending all kinds of money to produce a competitive FWD V8, Ford decided to produce a bunch of ad-ons to their V6. Fine. But I don't see either an "ECO-nomy" angle or an "ECO-logical" one. The horsepower produced is terrific, yes. I've no problem with the power-train itself. It's a great achievment. All I'm saying is that it's name is mis-leading.

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by megeebee

All very nice. But the whole "eco-" thing was, we've been told ad naseum," V8 performance with V6 fuel consumtion." What I see is V8 performance (and a very good V8) for V8 fuel consumption. The horsepower produced is terrific, yes. I've no problem with the power-train itself. It's a great achievment. All I'm saying is that it's name is mis-leading.

Instead of spending all kinds of money to produce a V8, Ford decided to produce a bunch of ad-ons to their V6. Fine. But I don't see either an "ECO-nomy" angle or an "ECO-ological" one.

Really? What V8 engine in a car of that size and weight gets 17/25?