I have driven a Fusion. The "platform" it was built on is the only thing the two cars have in common. The Fusion would be badass, IF Ford had put the 3.5 in it.
Oh well.
As said above, you can get the 3.5 in the Fusion. I still wouldn't touch it though. It's still wrong-wheel-drive. Even with the AWD option, it's primarily a FWD car under all but the most severe driving conditions. The rears only engage when the fronts slip. For me, FWD = Sissy. Sorry.
As for the MKZ being "inferior to Rear-Wheel-Drive MarkVIII's and LS's in almost every conceivable way". Thats your opinion. Lets talk facts. The factory specs on the LS gen1 in the 1/4 mile is 15.4. The factory specs on the MKZ(FWD model) in the 1/4 mile is 15.1.
LS gen1 252hp, LS gen2 270hp. The MKZ 265hp. Pretty damn close if you ask me.
FWD is always inferior to RWD in ride comfort/control, driving dynamics, handling, and overall drivability. Those are provable facts. RWD cars don't torque steer. RWD cars can correct understeer with throttle oversteer (try that with a wrong-wheel-drive car
). RWD cars have better F/R weight distribution for better handling and ride quality. Basically, RWD is a real man's drivetrain. FWD is for sissies and soccer moms. Again, that's the way I feel about it. If FWD is your thing, go for it. You can have it.
To compare the CTS-V to the MKZ is ignorant. The LS isn't even in the CTS-V league. They are night and day to each other. The CTS-V was built for performance. Look at its gas mileage.
The MKZ is your average Lincoln. Built as a comfortable/stylish mode of transportation. Not to set records in Germany. Matter of fact, has Lincoln ever tried to break ANY records in Germany?
No. Lincoln did go to Bonneville with the MarkVIII.
You're exactly right. However, the CTS is the MKZ's closest domestic competitor. That is if you still believe that Lincoln actually competes in the premium luxury car arena anymore.
MKZ serves a purpose for my family. It gets great gas mileage. Its FWD for the wife to drive during the winter. Its has nice styling. The wife likes it. After all, I did buy it for her. Best of all, its a Lincoln. My local dealer kick arse.
Yep. Lincoln is no longer a premium luxury car. It's just basic transportation now. It serves a purpose. It gets you from A to B. That's it. Cadillac, Mercedes, Jaguar, Audi, BMW, et al have absolutely nothing to fear from Lincoln anymore. And that makes me sad.
Good luck driving the CTS-V in the snow.
I driven a CTS-V too. I wouldn't drive that thing in the rain. I was so concern with getting up to speed to merge with traffic. I was doing 100mph in third gear. Scary thing, I felt like I was doing 45mph. Scare the crap out of the salesman. Good thing I am a professional driver.
I would sooooooo love to drive a CTS-V just once. And I could drive it in the snow just fine, thank you. If that kind of power scared you, well...I kinda feel sory for ya. I've said it before and I'll say it again: FWD's apparent inclement weather superiority is simply a crutch for those who don't know how to drive a real RWD car in the snow. Personally, I've never owned a FWD car in my life. And I never will. And I've never been stuck in the snow. I've driven to and from work in over 4 inches of snow in a 4500 lb, 365hp '71 Continental. And never got stuck or even slid off the road. I've dirven 300+ hp Thunderbirds, Mustangs, Cougars, Lincolns, and Mercury's in snow, ice, rain, mud, etc. And I've always been able to get to where I was going. Because I know how to drive. It's that simple. Unfortunately, FWD is superior in that kind of weather due to the weight of the drivetrain being over the drive wheels, causing better traction. But that's FWD's only advantage over RWD. You can have your cheesy, inferior, wrong-wheel-drive Lincoln badged Mazda6. Even if I could afford one, I wouldn't even entertain the thought. Have a nice day.
