Track Tested: 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost

[OLDSCHOOLGMFAN]

I think the 3.7 might be too small as the base engine, or not have nough torque. I think a V8 engine should be an option. Overall though, I'm glad to here that it's selling well for Lincoln.

[MN12Fan]

Originally Posted by OLDSCHOOLGMFAN

I think the 3.7 might be too small as the base engine, or not have nough torque. I think a V8 engine should be an option. Overall though, I'm glad to here that it's selling well for Lincoln.

Ford's not going to bother with a transverse V8 again now that they have EcoBoost around. And the problem with the Duratec 37 isn't its displacement but the fact that it's not really any more advanced than a regular Duratec 35. In fact, all the Duratec 37 really is is a big bore Duratec 35 optimized for better torque production and NVH. Now if the Duratec 37 got direct injection that would move it up a couple notches. It'd also explain a couple things, like how the Mustang's version of the engine is supposed to have 315 horsepower next year.

[PA Dweller]

Originally Posted by wescoent

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

I think we will be hearing a G8 comparison any minute now even though the G8 never offered AWD.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by wescoent

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

I'm not arguing horespower. The real question would be what car of that size and weight gets 17/25 with a V6. A V6 STS gets 18/27.

[Simon says]

Originally Posted by megeebee

I'm not arguing horespower. The real question would be what car of that size and weight gets 17/25 with a V6. A V6 STS gets 18/27.

They still make that? At its sales pace you would think that whatever cars they produced up to March should be enough to stock it until . . . the end of its life

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by megeebee

I'm not arguing horespower. The real question would be what car of that size and weight gets 17/25 with a V6. A V6 STS gets 18/27.

Infiniti M35x: 16/23
Lexus GS350 AWD: 18/25
MB E350 4MATIC: 16/22
Acura RL: 16/22
Cadillac STS V6 AWD: 17/26

All according to the government.

The only real rock star here is the Lexus, and we ALL know how they get their 'excellent fuel economy' numbers from the EPA.

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by wescoent

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

Hyundai Genesis.

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by wescoent

Infiniti M35x: 16/23
Lexus GS350 AWD: 18/25
MB E350 4MATIC: 16/22
Acura RL: 16/22
Cadillac STS V6 AWD: 17/26

All according to the government.

The only real rock star here is the Lexus, and we ALL know how they get their 'excellent fuel economy' numbers from the EPA.

You missed a couple
A6 3.0T 18/26
BMW 535xi 16/25

The A6 matches the fuel economy of the GS while being very close (if not the same) to the speed of the gilded Taurus. And wasn't Ford boasting that ECOboost does better than Audi's solution?

[Quixote88]

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.

This is right in line with most "luxury" makes... Dealers order "stripper" cars, or very close to "stripper," to accommodate the advertised lease specials, which usually account for a major percentage of their total sales... The Real Players, that is "real luxury car buyers," want their cars with all/most of the toys. Dealers accommodate them by ordering in the rest of their vehicles with most available options. You'll rarely find many in-betweeners on dealer lots. (This info was from a friend who is the operations manager of a Jaguar-Infiniti-BMW-Volvo-Lincoln/Mercury dealership group. We had discussed this very topic together a year or so ago.)

The MKS is an excellent entry for Lincoln. I really like this car, though I don't believe it's a true performance luxury sedan... But its performance is admirable. $56k is a bit steep, but if folks want to pony up the cash for one, more power to them. I'm sure they'll be happy with their purchases.

[OLDSCHOOLGMFAN]

Originally Posted by MN12Fan

Ford's not going to bother with a transverse V8 again now that they have EcoBoost around. And the problem with the Duratec 37 isn't its displacement but the fact that it's not really any more advanced than a regular Duratec 35. In fact, all the Duratec 37 really is is a big bore Duratec 35 optimized for better torque production and NVH. Now if the Duratec 37 got direct injection that would move it up a couple notches. It'd also explain a couple things, like how the Mustang's version of the engine is supposed to have 315 horsepower next year.

Transverse? You mean this big wagon can't fit a north-south?

[OLDSCHOOLGMFAN]

Originally Posted by Quixote88

though I don't believe it's a true performance luxury sedan... $56k

Maybe that's not what Lincoln buyers want. See the LS.

[MN12Fan]

Originally Posted by OLDSCHOOLGMFAN

Transverse? You mean this big wagon can't fit a north-south?

I thought it was east-west? Anyway, transverse meaning a typical setup for front-wheel drive (longitudinal being the layout for rear-wheel drive). The MKS, Taurus or the others on the platform can handle a V8 but the questions are what kind of V8 and what compromises have to be made to make it work?

Ford's made no suggestion that their new V8s, the 5.0L "Coyote" specifically, are being designed for transverse usage, and considering that the last car Ford built with a transversely mounted V8 was the 2002 Lincoln Continental I don't think they're very interested. Besides, with the EcoBoost V6 already able to push the handling limits of the powertrain I don't see what adding a V8 to the MKS lineup would accomplish, especially if it didn't offer any other benefits like better fuel efficiency, which it wouldn't. It might have been a nice way to differentiate the car from the Taurus though. The concept for the MKS featured the same 4.4L V8 the Volvo XC90 has but it makes only 311 horsepower. That's weak sauce if the 3.7L V6 is truly capable of 315 horsepower.

[OLDSCHOOLGMFAN]

Originally Posted by MN12Fan

I thought it was east-west? Anyway, transverse meaning a typical setup for front-wheel drive (longitudinal being the layout for rear-wheel drive). The MKS, Taurus or the others on the platform can handle a V8 but the questions are what kind of V8 and what compromises have to be made to make it work?

Ford's made no suggestion that their new V8s, the 5.0L "Coyote" specifically, are being designed for transverse usage, and considering that the last car Ford built with a transversely mounted V8 was the 2002 Lincoln Continental I don't think they're very interested. Besides, with the EcoBoost V6 already able to push the handling limits of the powertrain I don't see what adding a V8 to the MKS lineup would accomplish, especially if it didn't offer any other benefits like better fuel efficiency, which it wouldn't. It might have been a nice way to differentiate the car from the Taurus though. The concept for the MKS featured the same 4.4L V8 the Volvo XC90 has but it makes only 311 horsepower. That's weak sauce if the 3.7L V6 is truly capable of 315 horsepower.

I always heard that "north-south" meant a longitudinal mounted engine, so that's what I meant. Why put a V8 in it? Well tradition for one. V8s have been a part of Lincoln tradition for so long, I wonder if no V8 is what's holding the MKS back some. It sells good, but considering how long Lincoln customers have been waiting for a new big sedan, I expected it's sales to be
a little higher.


I think the '95 to '02 Lincoln Continental was a damn fine car. And it's unique as the only transverse V8 FWD FoMoCo car ever.

[Panthers_4ever]

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.

According to Motortrend the MKTaurus weights 4277 lb and the Town car weights 4345.3 lb , so that makes the MKTaurus a cow too .

[Panthers_4ever]

Originally Posted by OLDSCHOOLGMFAN

Maybe that's not what Lincoln buyers want. See the LS.

The Lincoln LS was a true world class car that combined luxury and performance .