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2007 Lincoln MKZ <cough Zephyr>

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Posted by: MaytagRepairman

http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=22595

I'm really disappointed with the name change.

Posted by: FLLMustang

I do like the MKZ name change. I know some folks who remember the last generation Zephyr and would never buy a another car baring its name.

Something I am not so fond of is the Acura TSX oval fog lamps. Just like on the Acura, it looks like an afterthought and doesn't compliment the cars lines.

Posted by: captainalias

I was hoping for a re-design of the rear deck lid, b/c it's too high. Guess niot.... but bigger v-6, AWD for less than $32K is a good deal. Just wished they gave it a bigger facelift.

Posted by: captainalias

LINCOLN MKZ: MIDSIZE LUXURY SEDAN RECEIVES POWER UPGRADE, AWD AND A FRESH FACE

Entry-level Lincoln: Attracting a new generation of luxury customers to the Lincoln showroom
Power and performance: More powerful, efficient, 250 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 paired with a smooth-shifting 6-speed transmission; more engaging, performance oriented driving character; added confidence of available intelligent all-wheel drive.
Added confidence: Available intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD)
Hallmarks of luxury: Refined waterfall grille and front fascia; new 17-inch, 8-spoke, machined aluminum wheels; available THX® II Certified audio system and SIRIUS satellite radio

The 2007 Lincoln MKZ has a more powerful 3.5-liter V-6 and a newly designed front end.

LUXURY SEDAN REBORN

Following the strong sales launch of the Lincoln Zephyr in the autumn of 2005, the entry-level luxury sedan is reborn for the 2007 model year with a new, more powerful 3.5-liter V-6 engine, a newly designed front end, more traction with available all-wheel drive (AWD) and a new name – Lincoln MKZ.

"Customer demand for Lincoln’s mid-size luxury sedan has exceeded our expectations," says Al Giombetti, president, Ford, Lincoln Mercury Marketing and Sales. "We have taken a brand-new, well-received car and significantly improved it to draw a new generation of customers to the Lincoln brand." Lincoln Zephyr has become an immediate sales success. "Judging by reaction in the showroom, customers are clearly ready for an American entry-level luxury sedan," Giombetti says.

POWERFUL NEW V-6 ENGINE DESIGNED TO DELIVER
Ford Motor Company’s all-new Duratec 35 V-6 engine paired with a premium 6-speed transmission delivers 250 horsepower and 240 pounds-foot of torque. The result will be smooth power and a confident, comfortable ride.

All-new Duratec 35 delivers 250 hp and 240 ft. lbs. of torque.

"Our new 3.5-liter V-6 coupled with an advanced 6-speed automatic provides an innovative solution for better fuel efficiency, more refinement, more power and clean emissions, without any sacrifices," says Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president of Powertrain Operations.

A strong, lightweight die-cast aluminum block and lightweight 4-valve direct-acting, mechanical-bucket valve train provide smooth, refined operation at high engine speeds. The intake was designed as a system all the way from the throttle body to the intake valves. This incorporates a dual-plenum intake manifold and intake variable cam timing to help ensure a smooth idle and broad torque curve for improved power. A 10.3:1 compression ratio and improved close-coupled catalysts reduce emissions.

The Lincoln MKZ is able to respond readily to its driver’s demands, thanks to the premium 6-speed automatic transmission. A torque-based electronic throttle control works with the electronically controlled transmission by adjusting throttle plate movement to tailor torque to the timing of each shift. In this way, the transmission is able to deliver smooth, barely perceptible gear changes.

CLASSIC, UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE
The exterior design of Lincoln MKZ incorporates classic elements of Lincoln style that have become essential to the visual heritage of the brand. Further refinement of Lincoln’s traditional waterfall grille, additional bright work and distinctive lighting gives the Lincoln MKZ an even more distinctive look.

17-inch alloy wheels are available with a machined-aluminum or chromed-aluminum finish.
The Lincoln MKZ’s profile features chromed trim at the beltline and on the mirror caps, set off by the wheels. The 17-inch alloy wheels are an important design element, available with a machined-aluminum appearance or a new chromed-aluminum finish. Low-profile tires reinforce the low, purposeful stance of the car.

The rear bumper surface is nearly flush, contributing to the clean, uncluttered lines. Twin chrome-tipped tailpipes are set wide apart below thin horizontal reflectors in the lower fascia, similar in placement to the front fog lamps. Together, the flush bumper and chrome-tipped dual exhaust communicate a subtle athleticism.

INSIDE: UNPRETENTIOUS LUXURY
The Lincoln MKZ uses genuine materials, including real wood, high-quality leather, satin nickel and chromed trim. White electro-luminescent lighting illuminates the round, chrome-ringed gauges, complementing the interior’s white lighting, which uses white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to backlight controls and switches at night.

The instrument panel features a horizontal band of contrasting trim in either wood or satin nickel, which gives the interior a more "technical" appearance. When equipped with wood, interior choices are: Dark Charcoal or Light Stone with Ebony wood or Sand with Figured Maple wood.

"The figured maple gives the interior a fresh and exciting look," says Peter Horbury, executive director, North American Design. "The dark ebony is classic elegance for a traditional sense of luxury. The satin nickel, with its lightly raised ribbing, is technical and modern. We were able to establish three completely different ambient settings through use of these materials."

The Lincoln MKZ is designed for comfort, too, with more than three feet of rear-passenger legroom. The spacious feel of the cabin was achieved by stretching the width of the base architecture by 30 millimeters and the wheelbase by 55 millimeters.

The Lincoln MKZ features a large 15.8-cubic-foot trunk (largest trunk in its class) with a flat load floor and a low lift-over height. The deck lid has compact hinge mechanisms that won’t impinge on trunk volume or crush cargo. The rear seats feature class exclusive standard 60/40-split backs that individually fold flat with a convenient spring assist, giving access to the trunk and affording cavernous storage space.

Thanks to a rigid and robust structure, the quiet interior is the perfect environment for the industry’s first THX® II Certified audio system. Optional on the Lincoln MKZ, the system features surround-sound worthy of an upscale cinema. The system features 14 speakers, including two subwoofers with 600 watts of power and a sophisticated processor that inputs bandwidth, peak audio levels and coverage uniformity to deliver a smooth spectral balance and wide dynamic range. An MP3 audio input jack and factory-installed SIRIUS satellite radio are also available.

To ensure that drivers and passengers always travel with the right directions, a new DVD-based navigation system is optional and features a sharp 6.5-inch-wide screen and text-to-speech technology with travel directions in English, Spanish or French.

QUIET RIDE, NIMBLE HANDLING, AVAILABLE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE

With the addition of the Lincoln MKZ, Ford will offer more than 20 vehicles with all-wheel drive in 2007. Total annual sales of AWD vehicles for Ford alone are expected to exceed 500,000 units a year starting in 2007, making Ford an industry leader.
Lincoln MKZ’s chassis is tuned for a quiet, comfortable ride with confident, responsive handling. All aspects of the fully independent suspension – dampers, spring rates and bushings – have been specially selected and tuned with an emphasis on ride comfort without sacrificing precise and nimble response.

The standard 17-inch tires were selected to complement the suspension tuning and for their quiet tread design. The rack-and-pinion steering system was tuned to be in harmony with the suspension and tires. Utilizing the car’s stiff structure, the Lincoln MKZ mounts the steering gear to the front perimeter subframe for reduced noise and vibration. This lets the driver better experience the car’s relationship to the road via the steering wheel, whether it’s a parking maneuver or a high-speed lane change.

Lincoln MKZ’s independent rear suspension is tuned to deliver a precise and nimble response.

The available intelligent all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is tuned with an emphasis on luxury performance and confident all-weather driving. The system actively and seamlessly delivers torque to all four wheels, even before wheel slippage occurs. An active on-demand coupler delivers the precise amount of torque needed to the rear wheels. Paired with available traction control, intelligent AWD can transfer torque front-to-rear and side-to-side.

SAFETY: THE ESSENTIAL LUXURY

Lincoln MKZ features a number of highly advanced safety technologies. It was designed with Ford’s Personal Safety System™ and a body structure optimized to help manage energy in a crash.

Lincoln MKZ’s safety system includes standard driver and front passenger air bags, seat-deployed side air bags for thorax protection, and three-point safety belts at all seating positions, with front-seat pretensioners and retractors. A full-length safety curtain provides head protection over the length of the window glass area – from A-pillar to C-pillar.

The new air curtain can prevent both front and rear occupants from hitting their heads on the side window or roof pillars in a severe side collision. In addition, the side-curtain air bag can help block glass splinters or other objects that could cause injury in a side impact.

Lincoln MKZ’s two-row air curtains also feature "roll-fold" technology – an exclusive in the midsize segment. If an occupant is resting his or her head against a window, the air bag is designed to slide between the glass and occupant as it fills. Typical side air curtains unfold like an accordion. Lincoln’s roll-fold keeps the air curtain against the glass, even when the occupant is out of position.

Lincoln MKZ features four-wheel disc brakes with a four-sensor, three-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD). By measuring brake force and directing braking to the wheels that have the best grip, EBD helps achieve shorter stopping distances even before ABS activates. Traction assist also is standard.

QUICK SPECS
POWERTRAIN
3.5-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, 60-degree, V-6
• 250 hp @ 6250 rpm
• 240 lb. ft. @ 4500 rpm
• Standard 6-speed automatic transmission
CHASSIS
• Wheelbase: 107.4 in.
• Length: 190.5 in.
• Max width: 72.2 in. (excluding mirrors)
SUSPENSION
• Front - Independent short and long arm (SLA) with rearward-facing lower control arms; 24-mm stabilizer bar
• Rear - Multilink fully independent with coil-over shock and lower control arms; 17-mm stabilizer bar

Posted by: captainalias

Posted by: pbslmo

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainalias

So many of the other auto makers make changes to the body and still call it by the origional name. i.e.. accord, sonata, camery. Why not change the Lincoln LS body style (MKZ) and call it a LS?

Posted by: Nakoa

why would you call that the ls? its smaller and doesnt have the optinon of a v8. the ls replacement is coming.

i sure hope lincoln decides to keep this model and let it evolve over the next decade instead of discontinuing it in 6 years and replacing it with something else.

Posted by: doug03ls

The more I look at the car's styling the better I like it. I showed the Zephyr to my wife the other day. She really liked how the interior looked.

Doug

Posted by: iceykola

The only thing that I don't like about the new Naming Convention is that it's spelled MK.. but it's pronounced Mark... Only the Lincoln fans are gonna know this... and no one is gonna call it a Mark. They should just pronounce it M K. cause everyone else will. I'm picking up my zephyr on Monday. Can't wait to turn it in for the 2008 MKZ. Hopefully they'll have factory installed reverse parking sensors optional by then. And maybe a coupe version.

Posted by: captainalias

Slight update- HP on the new Duratec 35 has been bumped up from 250 to 265 hp!

Posted by: chriswells78

Gimme a break! This thing looks like a 93 continental snuck out of the garage one night and screwed a Acura 3.2TL, then 9 months later, this thing popped out!

Adding a half a litre of displacement and they only found 29 ponies. They added 16.66% more displacement and only picked up 13.1% more power.

The only thing that I like about this car is the pricetag.

Posted by: Jdobiecki

Too bad the LS is gone. I love my 2001 LS Sport. This was the year I was planning on getting a new one. Not sure what I'll be buying now. May have to got the Jag route.

Posted by: pearl95

Check out these 2 pics
The second is from lincolns website...looks like they just photoshopped in the new front end! Note the reflections on the bumpers...

Posted by: captainalias

they didn't change much. slightly larger fog lights, and number of waterfalls reduced from 9 to 7....

Posted by: J3FF

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbslmo

So many of the other auto makers make changes to the body and still call it by the origional name. i.e.. accord, sonata, camery. Why not change the Lincoln LS body style (MKZ) and call it a LS?

Because this is a lame excuse for a Lincoln LS...I would hate for that thing to have an LS badge, it would ruin the whole line!!!

Posted by: captainalias

price going up.

Quote:

Lincoln’s renamed Zephyr sedan — the 2007 Lincoln MKZ — will get a new three-letter name and a four-digit price increase to match, according to a report by Automotive News. The MKZ (pronounced Mark Z) is the latest in a series of Lincoln vehicles to be renamed with an alphabetic name. Lincoln’s marketing manager Michael Peyton was quoted as saying the prices would go up around $2,000. Currently, the car has a base price of $29,660. The slight premium for the MKZ can be attributed to Ford’s new 3.5-liter V-6 engine, all-wheel-drive, and some minor visual tweaks. Oddly, Ford currently discounts each Zephyr it sells by an average of $4,342, according to the J.D. Power and Associates. The Leftlane Perspective: Instead of raise the price, why not reduce the incentives? For consumers who research pricing online or in magazines, this price hike could hurt sales.

Posted by: chocolat1701

Quote:

Originally Posted by J3FF

Because this is a lame excuse for a Lincoln LS...I would hate for that thing to have an LS badge, it would ruin the whole line!!!

im going to have to agree with you on that one -

Posted by: ALBUNDY

Quote:

Originally Posted by J3FF

Because this is a lame excuse for a Lincoln LS...I would hate for that thing to have an LS badge, it would ruin the whole line!!!

It looks more like a LS than a Mark to me, so what they spelled it MK it will still be looked at as Mark

, and the rear end looks like

. Maybe its a bad angle but I don't like it.

Posted by: captainalias

Quote:

Originally Posted by chocolat1701

im going to have to agree with you on that one -

People, this is not replacing the LS. It's the step below the LS. the upcoming MKS sedan will replace the LS.

Posted by: buddylee

Quote:

Originally Posted by J3FF

Because this is a lame excuse for a Lincoln LS...I would hate for that thing to have an LS badge, it would ruin the whole line!!!

you could be more wrong ....

lincoln is going to put all this money in to a new car then name it LS witch never
was marketed well or sold well.

the guy at the dealer ship said the Z didn't not have cvc trans? is that right??

Posted by: NaplesBill

The Zephyr/MKZ has a 6-speed auto.

Posted by: doug03ls

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainalias

People, this is not replacing the LS. It's the step below the LS. the upcoming MKS sedan will replace the LS.

Will this have rwd and a V-8???

Doug

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