2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
Lincoln has dropped a bit of a surprise with the pricing of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid. Unlike most other hybrid vehicles, there will be no price premium compared to the cheapest conventional model. The MKZ hybrid, with its 2.5-liter four cylinder hybrid powertrain, will start at $35,180 including destination and delivery. That's the same price as the front-wheel drive 3.5-liter V6-powered model.
For those keeping track, that puts the price at about $350 under the base Lexus HS 250h, which would seem to be its main competitor. Further, its 41 miles per gallon in the city is 6 mpg better than the Lexus - which, of course, is supposed to be the whole point of a hybrid vehicle. Add in arguably more attractive styling and the new Lincoln hybrid may well find itself with quite a following in the marketplace. Check out all the details in the press release after the break.
The 2011 Ford Edge and 2011 Lincoln MKX configurators have gone live for your shopping - or time-wasting - enjoyment. The Edge SE starts at $27,220 for the 3.5-liter V6, but you can hit it out of the park before even leaving the first page by selecting the Edge Sport all-wheel drive for $38,070. That'll get you a 305-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 canvas to play with. There isn't much more you can add to it, but after stuffing it like a turkey we got it up to $45,171. For those with a mind to be a kinder on wallets and Mother Earth, there are SEL and Limited trims on offer, as well as the 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine (...eventually).
The Lincoln MKX puts less on the table when it comes to varieties: the front-wheel drive starts at $39,145, the AWD at $40,995. Both get that 3.7-liter V6, six-speed SelectShift transmission and SYNC as standard fit. If you go the package route, your work is just about finished, because they cement quite a few exterior and interior choices. But don't take our words for it - click the links and get to configuratin'. Hot tips, Drew and Tony!
2011 Lincoln MKX - Click above for high-res image gallery
The 2011 Lincoln MKX delivers 15 percent more horsepower (305 ponies in all) and 12 percent more torque (280 pound-feet) than the outgoing model, and that added power comes with the added bonus of improved efficiency. The Environmental Protection Agency has rated the 2011 MKX at 19 miles per gallon in the city and 26 mpg around the highway, besting the Lexus RX350 by one mpg in the city and on the highway. That's a combined 21 mpg, which Ford says is enough to best its nine closest competitors.
Ford was able to crank up ponies while also ratcheting up efficiency by adding twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) to its 3.7-liter V6 engine. TI-VCT enables a larger torque-curve while also improving power by 10 percent and efficiency by 4.5 percent versus an engine without the technology. The 3.7-liter engine, which is also available on the 2011 Mustang and the 2011 Edge Sport, also utilizes aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff to further increase efficiency. Basically, the engine shuts down whenever the driver doesn't need engine torque.
The EPA has also rated the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, which scores 36 mpg on the highway and 41 mpg in the city. That's the same numbers as the Ford Fusion Hybrid, which shares a common powertrain, and six mpg better than the smaller Lexus HS250h. Hit the jump to read over the Ford presser.
Lincoln MKS Ecoboost - Click above for high-res image gallery
With Mercury vehicles set to disappear from showrooms in the next few months, Ford hopes to jump-start Lincoln sales with a free maintenance deal from now until Labor Day. Anyone who buys or leases a Lincoln this summer won't have to pay for any regularly scheduled maintenance during the first three years or 45,000 miles of ownership.
The promotion applies to all 2010 and 2011 model year Lincolns and follows similar moves in recent years from brands like BMW and Volkswagen. At many Lincoln-Mercury dealers in the United States, Mercury accounts for a significant percentage of store sales. Those dealers will need programs like this to boost volumes until two new Lincoln models arrive in the next couple of years. So far, Lincoln has only confirmed that a compact is forthcoming. The seventh member of the Lincoln family remains a mystery.
Click above for a gallery of graphtastic images from J.D. Power and Associates
J.D. Power and Associates has released its 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS) and Porsche has earned back the top spot that was occupied by Lexus in last year's study. The annual J.D. Power study measures IQS based on problems reported per 100 vehicles (PP100) - a lower score means a lower rate of problem incidences and higher quality.
Domestic brands, as a whole, demonstrated higher initial quality than import brands for the first time in an IQS (impressive, as the company has been conducting the study for 24 years). "Domestic automakers have made impressive strides in steadily improving vehicle quality, particularly since 2007," said David Sargent, vice president of global vehicle research at J.D. Power and Associates. "This year may mark a key turning point for U.S. brands as they continue to fight the battle against lingering negative perceptions of their quality." According to J.D. Power, the industry average for initial quality is 109 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) in 2010 (that is a slight increase from 108 PP100 in 2009). However, initial quality for domestic brands as a whole has improved to an average of 108 PP100, slightly better than the initial quality of import brands, which average 109 PP100 in 2010. Acura made an impressive improvement in the 2010 study. The automaker climbed from 111 PP100 in 2009 to just 86 PP100 in 2010, earning second spot just under Porsche (83 PP100). Mercedes-Benz (87 PP100) earned third position with Lexus (88 PP100) immediately following. Ford (93 PP100) and Lincoln (106 PP100) also earned Top 10 positions. Interestingly enough, Toyota (117 PP100) fell from its seventh position in 2009 to 21st in the 2010 study. The complete J.D. Power press release and charts can be found after the jump and in the gallery below.
2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
In what should be a surprise to no one, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Gybrid has been officially certified by the EPA as the most fuel efficient luxury sedan in the U.S. market. Given that the MKZ is really little more than a very gussied up Ford Fusion Hybrid, including an identical powertrain, we fully expected the same 41 mile per gallon city and 36 mpg highway numbers for the Lincoln.
Those numbers put the MKZ well ahead of its closest competitor, the Lexus HS250h which is rated 35/34 mpg. Aside from some subtle badging, the MKZ Hybrid is indistinguishable from its conventional siblings. It does receive an enhanced version of the SmartGauge system in the Fusion that adds long-term fuel efficiency indicators to all of the other information available, however.
The MKZ Hybrid goes on sale in the Fall as Mercury Milan production winds down.
2010 Insurance Institute For Highway Safety rollover tests - click above for high-res images
Perish the thought, haters! The above Lincoln MKT is getting its roof caved in not on aesthetic grounds, but rather to test its ability to survive a rollover accident. If you haven't guessed by now, the MKT did so well in the roof-crush test that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) handed parent company Ford a much coveted Top Safety Pick award. Actually, the IIHS handed FoMoCo a hefty total of five rollover-related Top Safety Pick awards. However we should note that one of the Ford products earning top marks is in fact the soon to be extinct Mercury Millan, so really Ford only nabbed four - but who's counting? Other good-to-rollover-in Ford products include the Flex, Fusion and Lincoln MKZ.
Speaking of thick-sculled corporate cousins, Audi and Volkswagen were handed a couple of Top Safety Picks, too. The 2010 Audi A4 and Q5 as well as the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen all earned top marks from the IIHS. As far as the Jetta goes, that's just one more reason to choose wagon over sedan. Finally, the new 2010 Hyundai Tucson gets the coveted TSP, and having recently driven the overly-stiff compact CUV, we're not at all surprised that its roof holds up to crushing. To get the dirt on the IIHS's methodology/read the press release, make the jump.
Drivers of late-model Ford vehicles equipped with Sync Traffic, Directions and Information (TDI) will soon be able to plot out their routes using Google Maps on their home computer and then download turn-by-turn directions directly to the car. TDI is a recent addition that adds a GPS receiver which allows Sync equipped cars and trucks to provide directions even if the vehicle doesn't have the full map based navigation system in place.
Unlike General Motors' OnStar system, which incorporates its own cellular equipment, the TDI functionality uses the communications capability provided by a connected mobile phone linked up by the driver. TDI reaches out to download directional data from the internet through the phone. The route will be calculated online using up-to-date traffic information.
To use the "Send to Sync" feature, Ford and Lincoln owners just need to register on syncmyride.com for the free TDI services. The ability to send Google directions to Sync TDI will be launched later this month with a similar service based on Mapquest launching later this year. Official PR verbiage available after the jump.
When the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid goes on sale this fall, it will have an updated version of the SmartGauge that debuted last year on the Ford Fusion Hybrid. The basics of the SmartGauge remain the same, with a pair of 4.3-inch LCD displays flanking a central speedometer. The LCDs can display several layers of information to help coach the driver to be a more efficient motorist.
The most obvious change is the color palette for the LCD gauges. They have been changed from a predominantly blue color scheme to what Lincoln officials describes as a more upscale-looking green and gold. The leaves on the right of the display have been present since the introduction of system on the Fusion and provide a graphical representation of the driver's short-term average fuel economy. The more thrifty your driving style, the more leaves you get. Behave like a lead-foot and they dissolve.
The SmartGauge in the 2011 MKZ Hybrid will also add some new flora to the mix in the form of a long-term fuel efficiency indicator. The indicator takes the form of apple blossom flowers (the state flower of Michigan) that appear amidst your tangle of digital leafs. If your average fuel economy is sufficient (Ford won't say what number you actually need), the first flowers will begin to appear after 4-6 weeks of driving. They first appear as buds and then grow into small and finally large flowers. More flowers appear over time, but the more you get, the more time it will take to earn more. If you earn all of the flowers, then you'll have saved about $8,000 in fuel costs and 30 tons of CO2 over the life of the car.
Aside from adding a whole new element to the game of achieving high MPG that we all play when behind the wheel of a hybrid, Ford's new long-term flower indicator also may serve a second, more practical purpose. If you decide to sell your MKZ Hybrid a few years down the road, a full bouquet of flowers in the SmartGauge proves you were a slow, careful driver and may fetch you a higher price on the used car market.
Ford has just added a helpful new function to its 911 Assist SYNC app. Emergency services can now easily locate distressed motorists via a vehicle's GPS coordinates and call for assistance, thereby diminishing response times. Ford says that the service is completely free, and will show up on 2011 models equipped with MyFord and MyLincoln Touch, along with some SYNC-equipped vehicles. Don't think the new tech is a direct challenge to the General Motors equivalent, though.
Ford says that 911 Assist requires the user to have a phone paired to the system via Bluetooth in order to make any emergency call. Left your phone at the house? You're out of luck. Even so, the Blue Oval manages to take a few pot shots at GM's OnStar service in the press release by saying that the 911 Assist app doesn't require an intermediate call center (making it faster) and doesn't force users into a monthly subscription plan.
If you're planning on dropping in on the National Emergency Number Association 2010 Conference in Indianapolis, you'll likely see Ford there pontificating on the benefits of the new system. Feel free to click past the jump to check out the full press release for yourself.
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We solicited your questions again for Episode #179 of the Autoblog Podcast, and then Chris, Sam, and Dan proceeded to answer them. News topics we cover are the rumors (now confirmed) of Mercury's closure, Elon Musk's lack of liquidity, the final Zonda, a General Motors IPO, and Nissan Juke pricing. Sprinkled in there, of course, are your questions and comments from our newly-interactive post.
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While Ford is working on plenty of hybrid and electric vehicles, its big bet for meeting the new corporate average fuel economy standards is EcoBoost, and so far customers appear to like it. Since launching the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 last summer as an alternative to larger V8s, Ford has sold about 10,000 units of the Lincoln MKS and MKT along with the Ford Flex and Taurus SHO. A quality study by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, MI, indicates that early adopters are almost universally satisfied with the performance and operation of these engines.
The gasoline turbocharged direct injected EcoBoost engines are designed to replace larger displacement powerplants with smaller, lighter units that provide similar output with greater efficiency. We can't comment on the methodology of this particular study, but so far we have loved the EcoBoost engines that we've tried. Over the remainder of 2010, Ford will be rapidly expanding EcoBoost availability with the 3.5 going into the F150 and a 2.0-liter inline four going into the 2011 Edge and Explorer.
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Chris Shunk, Dan Roth, Chris Paukert and Jonny Lieberman mull over what we just saw at the Beijing Motor Show, the general public's changing opinion of which nations make quality automobiles, General Motors' loan repayment, and Kia's profits. Of course there's the Autoblog Garage and your questions bookending those topics, and we're done at the hour and sixteen minute mark. See you next week!
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Ford SYNC with AppLink - Click above for high-res image gallery
On our way to Stanford last week, we came across a murdered-out Toyota Prius with an "I♥OPEC" vanity plate. Prime Twitter fodder if we've ever seen it. Unfortunately, even with our smartphone streaming navigation directions and a podcast through the Ford Fusion'sSYNC system, we couldn't safely tweet our find. Well, Ford's about to rectify that issue with the introduction of AppLink, a downloadable upgrade to the SYNC infotainment system that allows drivers to control their smartphone apps through voice commands.
AppLink will be exclusive to the 2011 Ford Fiesta when it hits dealers later this year and, at launch, it will only work with Blackberry and Android-powered devices running SYNC software. When it does arrive, the first three supported apps are Stitcher, Pandora (bye-bye XM/Sirius) and Orangatame's OpenBeak Twitter program. More apps are sure to be available in the following months and Ford has setup a developer channel on SYNCMyRide to get programmers going.
For those of you currently rolling in a SYNC-equipped Ford or Lincoln, AppLink will be available as a download sometime next year, and for all you Apple fanboys, fear not, iPhone integration is on the way. Make the jump for all the details and a brace of videos showing off the technology.
Ford Eco Route - Click above for high-res image gallery
MyFord Touch promises to better connect drivers to their phones and MP3 players as well as the functions that are traditionally controlled by buttons and knobs. The screen will be displayed on a 4.2-inch LCD located directly in front of the driver next to the speedometer, with a five-way switch on either side of the steering wheel that enables the driver to access information without turning his or her head or taking a hand off the steering wheel.
MyFord (and MyLincoln) Touch already sounds impressive, but Ford apparently isn't done wowing with its functionality. The Blue Oval announced today that its new touch interface will also help drivers save fuel by arming them with real-time feedback on fuel efficiency performance, helping coach drivers on how to conserve fuel. Jim Buczkowski, Ford director of Global Electrical and Electronics Systems Engineering, says in the company's press release that MyFord Touch "provides an unprecedented level of information and interaction so drivers can make the choice to be more fuel efficient."
Ford's newest interactive infotainment creation will accomplish this feat by providing additional fuel economy information, similar to the SmartGauge leaf display utilized in the Ford Fusion Hybrid. SmartGauge rewards efficient driving with an increasing amount of leaves and flowers, and drivers can also track their fuel economy with a graphical bar chart next to the fuel gauge display that shows mile-per-gallon averages for the past five, 10 and 30 minutes.
Ford also plans to utilize its excellent navigation system to help drivers become more efficient. MyFord Touch pairs up with the map-based navigation to provide drivers an Eco-Route that instantly utilizes both historical and real-time traffic data to map you to the most efficient route possible. Ford says that while the Eco-Route isn't necessarily the fastest route, it can help drivers consume up to 15 percent less fuel on any given trip.
MyFord Touch arrives this summer with the launch of the 2011 Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX. Hit the jump to watch a video and read over Ford's MyFord Touch press release, which also lists 10 useful tips for conserving fuel.
2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ford has reminded us over and over again about its plans to offer a full line of electified vehicles in the United States. The Escape and Mariner hybrids started this trend, the Fusion and Milan hybrids are garnering lots of praise, and with new products like the Transit Connect Electric and Focus Electric hitting the streets in the not-too-distant future, the automaker appears to be fulfilling its goals. The newest addition to the electrified lineup is this 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, which builds upon the success of its Fusion and Milan sister hybrids.
With fuel economy ratings of 41 miles per gallon in the city and 36 on the highway, the MKZ Hybrid will lay claim to the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America, besting its nearest competitor,the Lexus HS250h,by six MPGs. Ford has also assured us that the MKZ will be priced below the Lexus, making it a more affordable alternative for shoppers. Aside from the addition of the four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, not much changes from the standard MKZ and Ford is hoping that this vehicle will bring more buyers into Lincoln showrooms when the car hits dealerships this fall. Check out our galleries below to see both live and stock shots of the MKZ Hybrid.
2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
Earlier this week we reported that Ford had plans to repurpose its very well-received hybrid powertrain in the Lincoln MKZ. Makes sense, right? Both the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan (sister cars of the MKZ) benefit from the fuel-sipping mill, and by adding a bit of electric power to the Lincoln lineup, Ford is hoping to attract more buyers into its luxury division's showrooms. What's more, since Lincoln vehicles carry higher price points than comparable Ford or Mercury products, the return on this hybrid investment means a larger profit margin for the automaker as a whole.
Well, now it's official. For the 2011 model year, the Lincoln MKZ will offer the award-winning 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline/electric powertrain from the Fusion and Milan hybrids, good for up to 41 miles per gallon in the city. In doing this, Lincoln aims to compete directly with the recently introduced Lexus HS250h, and since the MKZ will net six more MPGs than the HS, it can safely take the title of most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America. What's more, the MKZ is slightly larger than the Lexus, and if Ford plays its cards right, we wouldn't be surprised if the MKZ Hybrid is less expensive than the HS, as well.
Aside from the powertrain, the new hybrid doesn't differ too much from the rest of the MKZ range. Plenty of standard amenities are on tap, such as the cool-looking SmartGauge with EcoGuide, a reverse sensing system, heated and cooled front seats, Ford's MyKey system and - of course - SYNC.
But the big question surrounding the MKZ Hybrid isn't how well it will perform against the Lexus, but if it will carry enough extra kit to significantly differentiate it from a Fusion or Milan with the same powertrain. Consumers who are only looking for efficiency might be willing to sacrifice certain luxury amenities to save money, and this dilemma has always affected MKZ sales. Still, luxury-minted customers would be wise to look at this as an alternative option to the HS250h, and we'll keep a close eye on sales numbers when the MKZ Hybrid goes on sale later this year. For now, hit the jump to read the full details in the press release, and click through our gallery below to see the electrified MKZ for yourself.
When we take a hard look at the current Lincoln lineup, we see some issues. For starters, the Navigator, MKS, MKT, MKX and MKZ aren't exactly setting the sales charts on fire. Come to think of it, we just listed the entire Lincoln lineup. Okay, so Ford's luxury marquee can easily be likened to a well-heeled slice of Swiss cheese, but we have proof that The Blue Oval is trying to breath new life into the brand. We loved the MKT, the 2011 MKX looks extremely promising and it looks like the four-pointed star is getting into the hybrid business as well.
The Detroit News reports that Lincoln will debut a hybrid MKZ this week at the New York Auto Show. The MKZ will likely share the same powertrain as the Ford Fusion Hybrid; a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle mill mated to an eCVT transmission, along with an electric motor drawing power from a 275-volt nickel metal hydride battery pack. The MKZ hybrid will be the first battery-assisted model in the Lincoln lineup, giving Ford a luxury hybrid competitor to the Lexus HS 250h.
And if the MKZ does in fact carry the same powertrain as its more pedestrian sibling in the Ford dealership, the Lincoln should have more than competitive fuel economy. The HS 250h is rated at 35 miles per gallon city and 34 miles per gallon highway, while the Fusion Hybrid manages a 41/36 mix. The MKZ is a big bigger, too, and price should be comparable. Also helping the MKZ's case for life is the fact that Lincolns carry higher MSRPs than the typical Ford or Mercury, giving The Blue Oval a theoretically bigger margin with which to make a profit.
The down side to the MKZ hybrid is the fact that Ford is pretty well restricted on how many hybrids it can produce. Unless Ford has struck a deal to increase its hybrid powertrain output, the MKZ will simply shift the allocation of hybrids in the Ford family instead of adding to the overall totals. We're also very interested to see if Ford strives to differentiate the MKZ from its more pedestrian siblings to better-justify the undoubtedly higher price tag that comes with the Lincoln badge. We'll be staked out at the New York auto show for the chance to know for sure.
Click above for results of the 2010 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study
J.D. Power and Associates has just released its 2010 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS)... and Porsche, Lincoln and Buick have climbed on the podium (Buick, Jaguar and Lexus occupied the top spots in last year's 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study). The German automaker demonstrated a significant jump in quality (up ten spots) with Ford's brand hot on its heels (up six positions). While Buick dropped down, its score was indicative of improved quality - however, the bar had been raised.
This year's VDS found that several brands that perform well in the firm's dependability study are avoided due to public misperception about reliability. These brands include Cadillac, Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln and Mercury - all having the greatest lags between dependability performance and consumer perception. "Producing vehicles with world-class quality is just part of the battle for automakers; convincing consumers to believe in their quality is equally as important," says a J.D. Power and Associates spokesperson.
The Vehicle Dependability Study is designed to accurately measure problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old (2007 model year) vehicles. This year's study was based on responses from more than 52,000 vehicle owners surveys between October and December of 2009. Scores are based on the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with lower scores reflecting higher vehicle quality. The complete J.D. Power press release and charts can be found after the jump and in the gallery below.
Lincoln-grilled 2011 Ford Explorer spy shot - Click above for high-res image gallery
Granted, these aren't the clearest set of spy photos you're going to see this week. Regardless, they are interesting as they show what appears to be a next-gen 2011 Ford Explorer with the familiar face of the current Lincoln lineup grafted in place. Sure, it's not terribly surprising to see a luxurious Lincoln created from a more pedestrian Ford product - it happens all the time - but why the Explorer?
Consider that Lincoln already offers a pair of crossovers that are based on existing Ford models, namely the MKX and the MKT. Consider too that the next Explorer will migrate to a smaller, car-based crossover platform... and one wonders just how many CUVs the Lincoln brand could support.
So, just what is this camo'd vehicle we see roaming the streets? Could it be a new Navigator (or a revival of the ex-Explorer-based Aviator), just a cobbled together mule from spare parts that doesn't have any production intent whatsoever, or something new altogether? Beats us. Feel free to take a look at the pictures and judge for yourselves. Thanks for the images, George!
Drivers of late-model 
