The new Lincoln MKZ is more than just a pretty face and striking new interior. New technology features help Lincoln’s new mid-size sedan stand out, too. They include:

SYNC: The voice-activated hands-free in-car communication and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft. The system fully integrates most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players, providing customers hands-free cell phone and music selection capabilities – plus new 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report provided with no monthly fees.

911 Assist: When a phone is properly paired, turned on and connected to SYNC, the system is ready to assist in placing a call directly to a local 911 emergency operator in the event of an air bag-deploying accident. The key advantage of SYNC 911 Assist is speed, as calls are placed directly to local 911 operators.

Vehicle Health Report (VHR): SYNC gathers relevant information from the major vehicle control modules and packages diagnostic data into a usable format in a matter of minutes. That data packet is sent to Ford via an 800-number automatically dialed using the customer’s paired and operable mobile phone.

Voice-Activated Navigation, which integrates several functions including voice recognition destination entry, climate control and SIRIUS satellite radio into one easy-to-use system, displaying them on an 8-inch touch-screen display. The navigation system’s text-to-speech function calls out street names while in route to a destination and reads incoming text messages when the system is linked to SYNC. The integrated DVD player is capable of reading CD-Audio, MP3 CDs, DVD, DVD-Audio and DVD-ROM (for digital map updates). A music jukebox function stores more than 150 hours of music. The screen even can be customized with personal photos.

SIRIUS Travel Link™, an industry-leading technology that, when combined with the voice-activated navigation system will provide users with real-time traffic data with accident and incident information, coast-to-coast weather data including current conditions and five-day forecasts, and fuel price information for over 120,000 gas stations.

The award-winning 3.5-liter V-6 Duratec engine powers the 2010 Lincoln MKZ, delivering 263 horsepower and 249 pounds-feet of torque. The 3.5-liter uses a compact, lightweight dual-overhead cam valvetrain for peak power and smooth operation at high RPMs.

This engine also incorporates intake variable cam timing to optimize valve timing for a smooth idle and an impressive broad torque curve with good power.

The six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, which is front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive available, is standard on the 2010 Lincoln MKZ. Powertrain performance is improved dramatically, with 0-60 mph times dropping from 7.7 to 7.1 seconds.

The engine – and the Lincoln MKZ itself – is quieter. Every piece of sound packing was redone.

“The customer definitely should notice how quiet the new MKZ is,” said Chief Engineer J.D. Shanahan. “That’s important – especially with luxury sedan buyers who perceive that quietness equates to quality.”

The Lincoln MKZ engineering team also concentrated on the engine mount subsystem, finding the sound that balances sportiness and luxury, said Matt Hettenhouse, powertrain team leader.

Article source: Gotbroken

For the 2006 model year, Lincoln introduced a new Zephyr as its entry-level luxury car to fill the void left by the discontinued V6 version of the Lincoln LS.

Along with the new name, the MKZ will receive a new, more powerful engine compared to the Zephyr, and minor cosmetic changes. For the 2007 model year, the Zephyr is to be redesignated the MKZ, following Lincoln’s new naming convention using alphanumeric abbreviations beginning with MK, instead of traditional names (eg: the 2007 Lincoln MKX crossover utility vehicle was originally to be designated the 2007 Aviator). In the first 5 months of production, Lincoln dealers sold only 4,895 Zephyrs through January 2006, but 15,672 Zephyrs were sold in the first 6 months of the 2006 calendar year. The Zephyr, along with the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan which share the same Ford CD3 platform, are built in Hermosillo, Mexico, making the Zephyr the first Lincoln car assembled outside of the United States for sale in the US market.

Article source: netcarshow

The 2010 Lincoln MKZ has itself a new look for this year, with new ramp, tail lights stretched and updated instrument panel and gauges. The 2011 Hybrid version comes out this fall, will add a few improvements, including the latest version of the dashboard SmartGauge with EcoGuide.

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is a good example of how Ford will scale up to reach its target by distributing its best electric drive technology over common platforms. Instead of dreaming up a whole new purpose-built gas-electric vehicles for the Lincoln luxury brand, Ford is migrating the technology from their award-winning Ford Fusion Hybrid to the MKZ. It’s a good thing, given the Fusion Hybrid swept 2010 lists for a car this year, including the North American Car of the Year, Motor Trend, and our own Hermance Award.

Like Fusion Hybrid combines gas-electric Lincoln MKZ with a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and two electric motors to produce a total of 191 horsepower. It is not only the remarkable 41 miles-to-the-liter city driving distance gave Fusion Hybrid as many accolades. It is a refinement of the hybrid system. Ford engineers set a new standard for how smoothly the car’s power constantly shifts between the motor and engine. The system is ideal for a luxury package, which MKZ.

Lincoln MKZ Most Fuel Efficient Luxury Hybrid Car

Ford brags that the Lincoln MKZ will be the most fuel efficient luxury hybrid on the road. There is a direct dig at the Lexus 250h HS-estimated at only 35 city/34 highway, which has the best sellers in the luxury hybrid category. Lincoln MKZ is a more spacious then, while HS 250h is more like a luxury Toyota Prius with a strain rather than a hatchback. However MKZ claim for fuel economy leadership in the luxury category be short-lived, with the premium compact Lexus 200h CT affects retailers later this year or in early 2011.

Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Features

The list of features available with the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is extensive: SYNC (Ford’s voice-activated communications and entertainment systems), adaptive HID headlamps, 10-way power seats, heated and cooled front seats, reverse positioning, remote control, Capless fuel filler, a set safety features including dual-stage front air bags, the parents of important system to limit speed and audio volume for teens, and integrated mirrors spotter.

Let us not forget the panels of wood with environmentally friendly plywood from well managed forests “and standard” Bridge of Weir “leather seats, showing the nature of the grain and use a chromium-free tanning process.

Okay, so the MKZ Hybrid could get 41 mpg in town and loaded with luxury features. It earns you a spot on your shopping list, if you’re looking for a good hybrid technology in the luxury package.

But the green car fans will seek new frontiers electrification get excited about MKZ? Unlikely. Keep in mind that Ford has other things in store for the cleaner breed of hybrid-electric aficionados. Ford Focus Electric comes out next year, and plug-in hybrid version of the Ford Escape promises to be the first grid-enabled small SUV. In the meantime, Ford will continue to spread their excellent hybrid technology to a range of products, increase efficiency and marched towards its goal to make hybrids and electric cars a growing part of the company’s product line.

Official pricing is yet to Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. We expect a high MSRP of $ 30,000s.