V-8 For Lincoln MKS Stillborn?
According to Automotive News, Ford's latest round of cutting will scythe a planned V-8 for Lincoln's pending MKS flagship.
The 4.4-liter eight, derived from the Yamaha unit employed in Volvo's XC90 was expected to slot into Lincoln's new MKS in 2008, but according to the publication's sources, the larger powertrain option has been nixed. By way of compensation, the MKS' 3.5-liter V-6 will reportedly be tuned for greater power, but that still means that the larger MKS will share the same basic engine architecture as the smaller, less expensive MKZ (it gets the engine in the fall, as do the Ford Five Hundred/Mercury Montego twins).
Some critics believe that the MKS' subsequent lower cylinder count may be perceived as a disadvantage by consumers, regardless of whether horsepower and torque figures from the V-6 are comparable to the competitors' V-8 offerings. Acura's slow-selling (yet entirely competent) range-topping RL has suffered a similar fate. Ironic, then, that some have said the Lincoln and Acura look quite similar.
Comments
Jay
The Lincoln MKS has a refined exterior styling feature that shows its luxury and elegance. These features include classic Lincoln grille, sculpted hood, five-spoke 20-inch wheels, and the glass Vista Roof. Sad to say Ford will only sell a 3.5 liter V6 engine instead of the 4.8 liter V8.
Winding Road » Archive » Spied: Lincoln MKS Sedan
[...] The big difference from the concept, of course, is that it won’t arrive with a V-8 engine, a controversial move that could put a crimp in Ford’s plans to challenge the best that Europe and Japan has to offer. The saloon was originally earmarked to receive a derivation of the Yamaha 4.4-liter V-8 unit from Ford’s Swedish outpost, Volvo, but the extra cylinders were reportedly nixed out of cost concerns last summer. [...]
Post new comment