The Lincoln MKT has a 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine under its hood, which can run on E85 gasoline, causing a boost in horse power up to 415 hp and producing 400 pound-feet of torque. The grill and emblem are massive - hiding this big, eco-friendly engine behind it’s teeth.

The MKT is designed with luxury, space and occupant comfort in mind. The cabin is wide open, and rear passengers even have foot rests available, and those seats also recline. Front seating is more like that of a first class plane ride - with a wide range of high-tech gadgets at your disposal.  Center Nav screen and consul layout create a 3D feelings -just so you don’t lose notice as to how fast you’re going down those dark highways.

Assembly should be underway within the next year, so Ford and Lincoln enthusiasts can expect to see a production model Lincoln MKT on dealership floors and lots by late 2009.

MKR’s concept double wing grill is actually a call back to the 1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet. It’s designed to resemble the bow of a boat cutting through the water, giving the over sized Lincoln an even larger looking front end. It looks proud, or like it’s going to come take your legs off if you don’t move out of its way.

Beautiful oak instrument panels add to the boat interior feel. It’s “T” steering wheel also gives the vehicle a classic look. MKR carries a twin-level floating center console that extends into the rear of the cabin. This holds radio and GPS systems, as well as environmental controls. Chrome-trimmed gauges illuminated with blue lighting, easily viewed during night driving - the wheel also houses retractable paddle shifters.

MKR’s 3.5-liter gasoline twin-turbocharged direct-injection V-6 performs as well as or better than V-8 engines, delivering 415 horsepower on renewable E-85 ethanol. This set up allows  the driver to switch back and forth from gas to E-85. Add that to the mix inside a TwinForce technology engine gives the MKR’s V-6 to an extra boost of horsepower along with torque.

No specific plans were announced, and it is unclear if Lincoln would receive their own compact design model or just a rebranded Ford compact (Maybe another version of the Ka?) - Speaking of which, Kuzak also mentioned that tiny European vehicle in Belgium, taking back his statements from earlier in the summer that Ka may become a North American vehicle. He now says Ford has no plans of bringing the Ka stateside.

The President is much like Batman. He has always needed a nice car. And not just any car. He needs a car to be classy, powerful, and keep him well protected. President’s cars have been specifically modified to be faster, stronger, and anything but ordinary. Usually equip with heavy armor, bullet proof glass, and pretty much anything to make him feel like the man. Throughout the years, Lincoln has been directly associated with some of the most memorable Presidents since they abandoned the good ol’ horse and wagon. Let’s take a look at these special vehicles and a time line of their progression.

In 1939, Franklin D. Roosevelt used what he called the “Sunshine Special.” This beast should have been named “Holy Crap We’re Going So Fast I Think We Passed the Sun” because this Lincoln featured a V-12 engine. And I don’t know about you, but I would imagine a V-12 engine in 1939 would have probably felt like Mr. FDR was strollin’ around strapped to NASA’s first test to the moon.

In 1950, the President’s car was upgraded to a Lincoln Cosmopolitan, also known as the “Bubble Top.” I’m going to take a creative guess, but perhaps it acquired the name because the top…well that looks somewhat like a bubble. This convertible included a V8-engine and was an amazing 20 feet long. It was given to Harry Truman and later Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson would take a joy ride in it.

The next Presidential Limo was known as the “X-100” used by JFK, which was a conversion of a stock 1961 Continental Convertible. We all know the story about this infamous vehicle.

In 1974 President Nixon rode in another Lincoln Continental, which again wisely only had a V-8 engine. The new model’s length grew to 22 feet long and was well armored. Presidents Ford, Carter, and Bush were also ride participants of this luxury vehicle.

The 1989 Lincoln Continental was the last Presidential Lincoln. Unfortunately, the President’s car now is a Cadillac. And a funny one at that. Known as Cadillac One, a creatively clever play off of the President’s jet Air Force One, it has a raised roof and bullet proof glass so thick, it magnifies everything inside the vehicle (Onlookers can almost see what the President ate for lunch.)

Starting back in 2006, Ford revealed its concept car at the North American International Car Show. Since that time, it has been in production. Now, the summer of 2008 has finally come and the Ford Chicago Assembly plant will make the new flagship car accessible to the public.

The 2009 model’s 3.7L DOHC V6 engine will feature a twin turbocharged EcoBoost. If the 2006 Zephyr and 2007 MKZ’s 3.0L V6 Duratec engine weren’t big enough for you, Lincoln has given plenty of reason to upgrade. The new AWD sedan model also features a brand new body style that has both a sleek and powerful appeal.

The new mid-size MKS has been reported to start between at $37,665 for the front wheel drive version and $39,555 for the all wheel drive model. The luxury vehicle and contains 270 horsepower and has sporty performance overtones.

But in an already loaded class, the 2009 MKS will have an enormous task to compete with the Acura RL ($46,280 - $53,700), Cadillac STS ($43,215 - $78,215), Lexus GS ($44,150 - $52,620), Audi A6 ($42,950 - $56,300), Infiniti M ($43,900 - $52,750), Mercedes-Benz E-Class ($51,200 - $85,300), BMW 5-Series ($44,300 - $58,500), Jaguar XF Series ($49,200 - $62,200), Volvo S80 ($38,705 - $49,210).

So far, the MKS has had great reviews and there’s a lot of buzz surrounding the American made luxury sedan. Most complaints about Lincoln in the past have been because its platform is almost identical to Ford Taurus and Mercury models. This isn’t the case as Lincoln has made a great effort to change the car into its own brand. Overall, the MKS has all of the standards of a luxury vehicle but is priced much lower than most foreign makes. Hopefully, the sales will speak attest to that within the next few months.

The 2008 Lincoln Town Car is a classic, old-fashioned, American luxury sedan. Outfitted with a hefty trunk at an affordable price; the Lincoln Town Car narrows down to two trim levels for 2008. (more…)

Just when you think that Lincoln has reach its peaked in terms of bigger and a more lustrous SUV, the 2008 Lincoln Navigator L has topped it as of yet. (more…)