2013 Lincoln MKZ

Lincoln – pardon us, the Lincoln Motor Company – assures us that Ford is committed to its success. The awkwardness of the statement (which feels vaguely like your mother telling you that she loves and supports you regardless of what everyone else thinks) was hard to escape when we recently spent a few days with the all-new second-generation 2013 Lincoln MKZ.

Launched earlier this year at the 2012 New York Auto Show, the MKZ is a midsize premium sedan that shares platforms with the Ford Fusion (also all-new for 2013). The sedan's primary competitors, according to Lincoln, include the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Cadillac CTS and Lexus ES Series sedans – each an established, accomplished player.

But Lincoln sees opportunity in the segment. They feel that today's customers, with values shaped by the recession, are open to new brands and experiences. Shoppers are seeking unique products and experiences (e.g., a more intimate dealer relationship) to substantiate the additional cost of a premium vehicle. With Ford firmly supporting its back, Lincoln is betting its future on product design, quality and an improved ownership experience.

The 2013 Lincoln MKZ is a real looker, especially when compared to its bland predecessor (launched as the Lincoln Zephyr for the 2006 model year, but renamed the MKZ after a refresh for 2007). The new sedan is sleek – almost futuristic – with distinctive styling that includes a sweeping roofline, taillamps that stretch across the rear façade, a new interpretation of Lincoln's split wing grille and fresh LED illumination. Overall, the look is clean and memorable. Even the "baleen" grille (our word, not theirs), which saw us raising our eyebrows on other Lincoln models, integrates surprisingly well here.

Even though they share mechanicals, the similarities between the MKZ and Fusion are mostly hidden from view. The wheelbase is the same (112.1 inches), but the Lincoln is 2.4 inches longer (194.1 inches), .1 inch taller (58.2 inches) and half an inch wider (73.4 inches, excluding mirrors) than its relative. Interestingly enough, it is longer than the A6, 5 Series, CTS and ES as well.

The interior is also noteworthy. Lincoln has ditched its characterless past and gone with a sweeping cockpit highlighted by a flowing instrument panel with a standard touchscreen display. While the primary instrument cluster retains its analog speedometer and tachometer, the traditional shifter and mechanical parking brake have been replaced with flush buttons and switches to allow increased storage. The look is spacious in appearance, pleasing to the eye and clean.

Powering the new Lincoln are three different engines and two drivelines.

Standard gasoline models are fitted with the automaker's turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder, rated at 240 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque on 87 octane. The all-aluminum engine is mated to a six-speed 6F-35 automatic transmission. The more powerful engine is a naturally aspirated 3.7-liter six-cylinder developing 300 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque (also on regular unleaded), mated to Ford's beefier 6F-50 six-speed automatic transmission. In the Sunshine Belt, most MKZ models will be front-wheel-drive, but all-wheel drive is a wise option for those in more challenging climates.

As it has in the past, the automaker is also offering an MKZ Hybrid. Under its hood is a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder, rated at 141 horsepower, supplemented by a 47-horsepower electric traction motor utilizing a lithium ion battery for storage (total system power is 188 horsepower). A continuously variable transmission is standard on the front-wheel-drive eco-friendly model.

Underpinning the new Lincoln is a standard Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) suspension system with MacPherson struts and aluminum control arms up front and a multi-link configuration in the rear, while the steering is electric power assisted (EPAS). There are standard 12.4-inch disc brakes (single-piston sliding calipers) at all four corners hidden beneath 18-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 245/45R18 tires (19-inch alloys are optional). The curb weight of the standard model (FWD 2.0) is 3,719 pounds, with the range-topping V6 (AWD 3.7) coming in at 4,002 pounds. Two tons is about average for the segment when fitted with AWD.

In terms of fuel efficiency, the MKZ 2.0 FWD earns 22 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, and the MKZ 3.7 is rated at 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (the MKZ Hybrid is rated at 45 mpg, in both the city and highway cycle). Those figures are significantly better than its predecessor, but the six-cylinder consumes more fuel than its competition.

In lieu of a traditional launch, where journalists are usually brought to a manufacturer-sponsored event for PowerPoint presentations, product demonstrations and prescribed driving routes, Lincoln cut to the chase and lent us a range-topping MKZ 3.7 AWD for a couple days. While it was nice to drive the luxury sedan on our own turf, we missed the traditional data dump and torrent of product information as it is excellent insight.

Nevertheless, our Ruby Red over Charcoal MKZ seemed attractive enough to speak for itself. In its premium form, it wore a $39,045 base price (the MKZ 2.0 FWD starts at $35,925 and the MKZ 3.7 FWD starts at $37,155). In addition to standard full power accessories, LED headlamps, remote start and Active Noise Control (ANC), added to its bottom line was the Preferred Equipment Group 103A (19-inch alloys, heated steering wheel, THX Premium Audio, premium floor mats, heated rear seats, etc.) bundled with a massive single-panel glass moonroof for $6,530, the Technology package (adaptive cruise control, active park assist, lane keeping system, auto high beams, etc...) for $2,250, aluminum trim package (alloy accents on the doors, instrument panel and a leather-trimmed steering wheel) for $195 and rear inflatable seatbelts for another $195. The grand total, including Lincoln's $875 destination charge, was $49,090.

Read more by Michael Harley at Autoblog.com