2007 Lincoln MKZ
Published Nov 20, 2006
0 Ratings
What is it?
2007 Lincoln MKZ
What's special about it?
You knew it as the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr. For 2007, it's renamed the Lincoln MKZ.
Lincoln says that it is moving to "alphanumeric" nomenclature, even though there's nothing numeric about "MKZ." And you must fight the urge to say "em-kay-zee." The Lincoln pronunciation is "Mark Z." We suppose the "Z" is an epitaph to the Zephyr.
Don't shed too many tears, though, because the MKZ has something the Zephyr never had: a new 3.5-liter DOHC V6 in place of the Zephyr's aged 3.0-liter Duratec V6.
With 250 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 240 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm, the new V6 won't rule the under-$30K bracket, but it will be a significant upgrade over the Duratec's 221 hp and 205 lb-ft. Lincoln isn't offering a 0-to-60-mph estimate, yet.
As before, a standard six-speed automatic routes the power to the front wheels, but buyers can now get all-wheel drive as an option.
"There's a lot of growth in the demand for all-wheel drive," said Tom Burger, Lincoln car marketing manager. "People who have had SUVs are coming back into the car segment.
"Currently 18 percent of luxury cars are sold with all-wheel drive," he added, "and we foresee this to increase to 50 percent by 2012."
Look closely and you'll see that the MKZ also has a toothier grille than the Zephyr, along with new 17-inch wheels available with a machined or chrome finish. Satellite radio is a new option.
Lincoln says the 2007 MKZ will go on sale late this fall. Company officials wouldn't get into specifics about pricing, but Burger noted that like the Zephyr, the MKZ will be one of the better values in the entry-luxury sedan segment. We're guessing it will come in at right around $30,000.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Ford's Duratec V6 was never a suitable power plant for an entry-level luxury sedan, but the new 3.5-liter V6 looks like it might be.
Although we're not sure about the wisdom of swapping names so early in a car's model cycle, if this V6 turns out to be as refined as it is powerful, the 2007 Lincoln MKZ just might find a few buyers in the entry-luxury segment. — Erin Riches
2007 Lincoln MKZ
What's special about it?
You knew it as the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr. For 2007, it's renamed the Lincoln MKZ.
Lincoln says that it is moving to "alphanumeric" nomenclature, even though there's nothing numeric about "MKZ." And you must fight the urge to say "em-kay-zee." The Lincoln pronunciation is "Mark Z." We suppose the "Z" is an epitaph to the Zephyr.
Don't shed too many tears, though, because the MKZ has something the Zephyr never had: a new 3.5-liter DOHC V6 in place of the Zephyr's aged 3.0-liter Duratec V6.
With 250 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 240 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm, the new V6 won't rule the under-$30K bracket, but it will be a significant upgrade over the Duratec's 221 hp and 205 lb-ft. Lincoln isn't offering a 0-to-60-mph estimate, yet.
As before, a standard six-speed automatic routes the power to the front wheels, but buyers can now get all-wheel drive as an option.
"There's a lot of growth in the demand for all-wheel drive," said Tom Burger, Lincoln car marketing manager. "People who have had SUVs are coming back into the car segment.
"Currently 18 percent of luxury cars are sold with all-wheel drive," he added, "and we foresee this to increase to 50 percent by 2012."
Look closely and you'll see that the MKZ also has a toothier grille than the Zephyr, along with new 17-inch wheels available with a machined or chrome finish. Satellite radio is a new option.
Lincoln says the 2007 MKZ will go on sale late this fall. Company officials wouldn't get into specifics about pricing, but Burger noted that like the Zephyr, the MKZ will be one of the better values in the entry-luxury sedan segment. We're guessing it will come in at right around $30,000.
What's Edmunds' Take?
Ford's Duratec V6 was never a suitable power plant for an entry-level luxury sedan, but the new 3.5-liter V6 looks like it might be.
Although we're not sure about the wisdom of swapping names so early in a car's model cycle, if this V6 turns out to be as refined as it is powerful, the 2007 Lincoln MKZ just might find a few buyers in the entry-luxury segment. — Erin Riches