Lincoln MKS

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Lincoln MKS

Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Production	(scheduled) 2008–
Predecessor	Lincoln LS
Class	Full-size luxury sedan
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF/AWD
Platform	D3
Engine	4.4L V8
Wheelbase	114.4 in
Related	Mercury Sable Volvo S80 Volvo XC90 Ford Taurus Ford Taurus X Ford Flex (2009)
Similar	Acura RL Audi A6

The Lincoln MKS is luxury sedan announced on August 9, 2006 for production in the 2008 model year.^[1] It is based on the MKS concept car which was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.

The MKS continues the new Lincoln naming convention for future models, including the new 2006 crossover SUV Lincoln MKX and the mid-size car 2007 Lincoln MKZ which replaced the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr.^[2] By this naming scheme, new vehicles will be designated with alphanumeric names rather than more traditional names like "Zephyr" and "Continental". This is part of a new Lincoln strategy to give its vehicles alphanumeric monikers, in much the same way as some other luxury automakers do, to get people to refer to the cars as Lincolns, rather as just "Continentals" or "Navigators".

However, Lincoln's stablemates Ford and Mercury have recently their conventions of naming their cars with names beginning with F and M respectively due to potential customer confusion between similar sounding names, and no longer use any naming conventions. It is unknown whether Lincoln will drop it's new naming convention in argue of traditional names, but by Ford's logic, as consumers are much more likely to be confused with Lincoln's models of MKS, MKR, MKX and MKZ, compared to Ford's models for Freestyle, Five Hundred and Fusion, it is likely Lincoln will drop this naming scheme.

1 Overview
2 Specifications
3 External links
4 References

The MKS is essentially a new midsize-to-large flagship sedan for Lincoln, replacing previous vehicles in that segment, as part of Lincoln's overall vehicle replacement strategy. The smaller 2006 Zephyr (and its 2007 replacement the MKZ) are considered to be the replacement for the V6 version of the LS, while the larger MKS sedan is intended to appeal to consumers who would have chosen the more powerful and upscale V-8-powered LS. The MKS, code named D385, is based on the full-size Ford D3 platform, which is based on the Volvo platform acquired after Ford Motor Company purchased Volvo Cars division in 1999. This platform underpins the outgoing Volvo S80 and is utilized in the 2008 and newer Ford Taurus, the Ford Taurus X, and the Mercury Sable (previously the 2005-2007 Ford Five Hundred, Ford Freestyle, and Mercury Montego).

The concept car uses the 4.4 L Ford/Yamaha V8 that debuted in the Volvo XC90. The production version of the MKS will also offer a brand new 3.7 L V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. This V6 is exclusive to the Lincoln brand.^[3] There are also rumors that the TwinForce (twin turbo) 3.5L V6 with 400hp would also be offered. The MKS has FWD with optional AWD and twenty-inch wheels.

Visible in the gallery pictures is Lincoln's new adaptation of the hallmark waterfall grille with Lincoln diamond making up the center of the grille.

Engine: 4.4-liter V-8, 32-valve DOHC
- Performance: 315 hp @ 5,500 rpm / 320 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed select shift automatic
Chassis layout: All-wheel drive
- Front suspension: Independent, MacPherson strut, rearward-facing lower L-control arms and stabilizer bar
- Rear suspension: Independent, multilink coil over shock and stabilizer bar
- Wheelbase: 114.4 in. (2906 mm)
- Overall length: 203.8 in. (5176 mm)
- Overall width: 75.5 in. (1912 mm)
- Front track width: 65.2 in. (1656 mm)
- Rear track width: 65.6 in. (1666 mm)
- Front overhang: 40.4 in. (1026 mm)
- Rear overhang 49.1 in. (1247 mm)
Tires: 245/45/R20 tires on 20 x 8.5-in. polished aluminum wheels