autoMedia Auto News Blog : Lincoln

autoMedia CARnival October 23, 2009: This week in Auto Blogs

Brandy Schaffels — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:55:00 GMT

It's the week ending October 23, and we've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather the highlights from each. Toyota's problem with unintended acceleration remains in the headlines at LeftLaneNews where they suggest the problem goes deeper than loose floormats, perhaps even to a flawed design with a highly computerized engine control system that lacks a fail-safe mechanism for emergency situations. Betcha that's something lots of people are thinking! Tokyo Motor Show is underway, and as much as we especially love all the fun concepts and high-tech prototypes we see there every two years, we also love the Tokyo booth babes, whose costumes are even more funky than the vehicles themselves. Carscoop has posted a gallery of Tokyo Motor Show girls that perfectly illustrate this point. And yes, they also show some fun cars too. Lounging under the influence: A Minnesota man took his motorized La-Z-Boy out for a drive, and after drinking eight or nine beers, crashed it into a parked car while trying to "pop a wheelie." Apparently, his blood alcohol limit was 0.29 - more than three times the legal limit. Yeah, if I had a cushy chair powered by a...(read more)

Ford, GM Offers Job-Loss Protection to Car Buyers

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 02:17:00 GMT

Borrowing a page from the Hyundai Assurance playbook, both Ford Motor Company and General Motors announced incentive programs designed to ease car-buyer concerns. Smart moves, the Ford Advantage Plan and GM Total Confidence programs should help dealers move the metal by easing shopper worries about what happens should the national economic crisis become personal.

The Ford Advantage Plan provides 12 months of payment protection, up to $700 per month, on any new Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury vehicle, plus zero percent financing on select vehicles through Ford Motor Credit. In addition, Ford is working with its dealers to introduce a local charity support program. The Plan is in effect now through June 1. The revised 2010 Ford Fusion is looking even more attractive...

The GM Total Confidence program provides payment protection for first 24 months of ownership. Should the buyer lose their income, GM will cover up to nine payments for up to $500 per month. Further, if the new GM model is financed, the company will help protect its retail value at trade-in—providing another GM vehicle is purchased. As a bonus, one year of OnStar services are included in the offer. At least initially, the program runs April 1 to April 29th.

Research Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac, and Saab, or Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury in the 2009 new car buyer's guide.

2010 Lincoln MKZ – Under $35k

admin — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 01:15:00 GMT

Just as the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan have been revitalized for an early 2010 model year introduction, so returns the Lincoln MKZ better than ever. (Read our 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid review.) Starting just under $35,000, the MKZ offers more standard and optional equipment than many import-branded competitors, and it delivers these posh amenities with more finesse than in years past.

Among the notable luxuries include Bridge of Weir leather seats, genuine wood trim, heated and cooled front seats, the popular SYNC entertainment and connectivity system, a reverse sensing system, and driver multi-adjustable power seat. Ford claims its tests show the MKZ to have a quieter interior than the Lexus ES350, a situation maximized by the available premium THX II Certified 5.1 surround-sound system.

Highlighting the advanced safety features are the all-new Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA).

For 2010, Lincoln introduces a new sport appearance package with a sport-tuned suspension (stiffer springs and larger stabilizer bars); 18-inch Euroflange polished wheels; unique grille, body-color door handles and darkened headlamps; and an interior with tuxedo seam seat patterns, contrasting piping, upgraded floor mats and aluminum appliqués.

The front-wheel-drive MKZ has a base price of $34,965, and the all-wheel drive model is available for a base price of $36,855. Pricing on both models includes destination and delivery. (See the 2010 Fusion and Milan pricing.)

Read our Lincoln MKZ review, and research the MKZ in the new car buyer’s guide.

Ford Tells Teens: MyKey, Not Yours

admin — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:06:00 GMT

The electronic whizzes at Ford have followed up the Sync multimedia system with another clever feature, MyKey. Designed as a tool for parents to encourage proper driving behavior from their teenagers, MyKey debuts next year as standard equipment on the 2010 Focus coupe and it will become standard on other Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury models.

MyKey ties in to several automotive systems, essentially limiting top speed and mandating the use of safety features. When inserted into the ignition, the system recognizes the key’s transponder and enable functions set by parents.

Among the “key” features:

BeltMinder continues the ever-annoying seat-belt chime until the belt is fastened, and it mutes the stereo to ensure the driver can’t ignore the tone.
Earlier low-fuel warning. Rather than a warning at 50 miles to empty, MyKey provides a warning at 75 miles to empty.
Electronic safety features cannot be deactivated, including traction control.
Stereo limited to 44 percent of total volume.
Limited top speed of 80 mph.
To encourage fuel-efficient driving, a speed alert can be set to chime at 45, 55 or 65 mph.

Read: Giving Teens a Driving Edge and 10 Tips for Parents of Teenage Drivers

2009 Lincoln Navigator – Better mpg

admin — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:44:00 GMT

Every manufacturer is scrambling to improve fuel economy, chasing customers as well as tightening EPA standards. Ultimately, this is good news for car buyers, giving real hope that the next vehicle purchase will deliver better mileage. The 2009 Lincoln Navigator sees incremental improvements, but improvements nonetheless.

The luxury behemoth was rated at 13 mpg city, 18 mpg highway in 2WD trim in 2008. For the new model year, the figures inch forward to 14 mpg city, 20 mpg highway.

Not to worry, the Navigator did not step down to a V-6 engine. In fact, it again is propelled by a 5.4 liter, 300-horsepower Triton V-8 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. A key powertrain trick was new engine management software engineered to regulate gas consumption by using aggressive deceleration fuel shut-off delivering considerable fuel savings with no extra effort from the driver. Likewise, idle speed has been lowered and the transmission refined. Ford has applied this fuel strategy to other products to help improve fuel economy, including the new 2009 Ford F-150.

The Navigator has also been treated to changes in packaging, simplifying the line-up and making more equipment standard. For example, standard items now include power lift gate; heated and cooled front seats; heated second-row seats; power folding third-row seats; front park assist sensors; capless fuel filler; rain-sensing wipers; perimeter anti-theft alarm; integrated four-button key fob; rear view camera; flexible fuel-capable V-8 engine; Lincoln SYNC and a 14-speaker THX II-certified audio system.

A monochrome Limited Edition package for 2009 features unique badging, along with body-color exterior accents including lower grille, lower bodyside cladding, and power folding heated memory mirrors with puddle lamps. This special version is offered in four exterior treatments: White Platinum Tri-coat, Black Clearcoat, Vapor Silver Clearcoat Metallic, and Stone Green Clearcoat Metallic.

Stepping up to the Elite package brings a moonroof; next-generation navigation system; power running boards; rear seat entertainment system and the rear view camera display in the navigation system.

Research Lincolns in the 2009 new car buyer's guide.