What Is It?
2006 Lincoln Zephyr
What's Special About It?
Designed to compete in the entry-level luxury sedan market against the likes of BMW's 3 Series and the Infiniti G35, the Zephyr will be Lincoln's smallest and sportiest sedan to date. Given the segment's much younger demographics, Lincoln figured it needed a fresh, new look that wouldn't get dragged down with the baggage of its ancestors. Its wide stance, rakish lines and oversized wheels and tires are a big departure from most Lincoln sedans but the Zephyr still wears a few signature design cues like a waterfall grille and a few strategically placed Lincoln stars.
The Zephyr also departs from Lincoln tradition with a powertrain that consists of front-wheel drive, a six-speed automatic transmission and a 3.0-liter V6. The fully independent suspension was tuned to provide plenty of Lincoln luxury while at the same time keeping the Zephyr nimble enough to back up its sporty looks. An all-wheel-drive model will be added to the lineup shortly after the initial sedan's debut late next year.
Its bright interior blends satin chrome, leather and wood to create an upscale atmosphere that's a little more expressive than most sedans in the segment. The wide, symmetrical dashboard recalls Lincolns of the past but the unmistakable waterfall center stack and THX sound system are modern touches that you won't find in any Town Car.
What's Edmunds' Take?
While it's good to see Lincoln looking to battle it out in one of the most competitive segments in the industry, we're not sure how well front-wheel drive and a rather tame V6 will go over with performance-minded buyers. If Lincoln gave it some more juice and kept the 19-inch wheels, it might be interesting, but we suspect that won't be the case come next year. — Ed Hellwig
2006 Lincoln Zephyr
What's Special About It?
Designed to compete in the entry-level luxury sedan market against the likes of BMW's 3 Series and the Infiniti G35, the Zephyr will be Lincoln's smallest and sportiest sedan to date. Given the segment's much younger demographics, Lincoln figured it needed a fresh, new look that wouldn't get dragged down with the baggage of its ancestors. Its wide stance, rakish lines and oversized wheels and tires are a big departure from most Lincoln sedans but the Zephyr still wears a few signature design cues like a waterfall grille and a few strategically placed Lincoln stars.
The Zephyr also departs from Lincoln tradition with a powertrain that consists of front-wheel drive, a six-speed automatic transmission and a 3.0-liter V6. The fully independent suspension was tuned to provide plenty of Lincoln luxury while at the same time keeping the Zephyr nimble enough to back up its sporty looks. An all-wheel-drive model will be added to the lineup shortly after the initial sedan's debut late next year.
Its bright interior blends satin chrome, leather and wood to create an upscale atmosphere that's a little more expressive than most sedans in the segment. The wide, symmetrical dashboard recalls Lincolns of the past but the unmistakable waterfall center stack and THX sound system are modern touches that you won't find in any Town Car.
What's Edmunds' Take?
While it's good to see Lincoln looking to battle it out in one of the most competitive segments in the industry, we're not sure how well front-wheel drive and a rather tame V6 will go over with performance-minded buyers. If Lincoln gave it some more juice and kept the 19-inch wheels, it might be interesting, but we suspect that won't be the case come next year. — Ed Hellwig
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