Lincoln is offering full-size luxury crossover customers a fresh new choice with the 2010 Lincoln MKT, a three-row crossover that delivers the optimal blend of distinctive design, interior spaciousness, fuel economy and technology.
“We’re growing Lincoln’s product portfolio with a full-size crossover that offers more of everything luxury buyers want today – including more variety,” said Mark Fields, Ford’s president of The Americas. “Lincoln MKT will help us further build momentum for Lincoln, which has been outpacing its luxury competitors and growing market share in recent months.”
The all-new three-row 2010 Lincoln MKT joins the two-row Lincoln MKX mid-size premium crossover, the sporty Lincoln MKS luxury sedan launched in 2008 and the midsize Lincoln MKZ.
Lincoln signature design and craftsmanship
Standard on every Lincoln MKT is the brand’s signature design – complete with a split-wing grille, a beveled chamfer along the vehicle’s shoulder line, a flowing cantrail that frames the greenhouse and full-width horizontal taillamps that span the subtly curved weight-saving magnesium liftgate that adds visual character while protecting generous rear cargo space.
Lincoln MKT craftsmanship is reflected in precise panel margins and in the high tactile quality of interior surfaces and trim. Inside, high-quality materials and precision-stitched craftsmanship are evident on every surface – from the leather-trimmed seating surfaces and floating armrests to the optional flow-through second-row center console and standard jewel-like acrylic instrument cluster with LED white lighting.
In addition, customers can choose how to best specify Lincoln MKT, which offers:
- Customers’ choice of a standard fixed glass Panoramic Vista Roof™ with power-assisted front and rear sunshades – or the available Power Panoramic Vista Roof
- Either six- or seven-passenger variations with two different second-row seating configurations. A standard 60/ 40 split folding rear bench seat features heated outboard seating positions. Power “fold and tumble” second-row seats, with heating, cooling and power-assisted lumbar adjustment are also available. A rear console-mounted five-quart-capacity refrigerator is available in the six-passenger seating configuration
- An available dual headrest Family Entertainment System with twin 7-inch DVD playback screens offering individual or simultaneous programming
- A litany of exterior paint colors, including Ingot Silver Clearcoat Metallic, Tuxedo Black Clearcoat Metallic, Red Candy Tint Clearcoat Metallic, Cinnamon Clearcoat Metallic, Steel Blue Clearcoat Metallic, Gold Leaf Clearcoat Metallic, Sterling Grey Clearcoat Metallic and White Platinum Tri-Coat
Balancing power and efficiency
Fuel efficiency also comes standard on the Lincoln MKT – and customers have a choice of two powerful yet practical V-6 engines.
A 3.7-liter, 24-valve variation of the award-winning Duratec engine family is standard. Delivering 268 horsepower at 6,500 RPM and 267 ft.-lb. of torque at 4,250 RPM, this engine has been tuned to provide brisk acceleration and smooth power delivery.
A two-speed fuel pump and Aggressive Deceleration Fuel Shut-Off (ADFSO), combined with optimized transmission and final-drive gearing, allow this engine to deliver fuel economy of 17 city, 23 highway for Lincoln MKT with the 3.7-liter engine and front-wheel drive.
For even more performance-driving feel, Lincoln MKT also offers a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6. This engine provides the power of a normally aspirated V-8 with V-6 fuel economy. The EcoBoost V-6 delivers a class-leading 355 horsepower at 5,700 rpm, while generating 350 ft.-lb. of torque from 1,500 through 5,250 rpm with fuel economy of 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.
EcoBoost is a global Ford strategy to deliver the power that customers want, combined with the fuel economy that they need. Combining gasoline direct injection with twin turbochargers and a smaller-displacement engine, EcoBoost can match the power output of larger, naturally aspirated engines while yielding torque and fuel economy gains.
Pressurized direct injection enables a higher compression ratio, while twin turbochargers work in tandem to reduce lag associated with earlier turbocharged engines. Even with additional horsepower, fuel economy is optimized by an increased compression ratio – enabled by a charge cooling air – and sophisticated knock controls.
Lincoln MKT is equipped with a six-speed SelectShift Automatic™ transmission. This advanced gearbox offers the driver a choice between fully automatic operation and manual control.
In addition, paddle shifters are integrated into the steering wheel spokes. Intuitive to operate, a squeeze back on either paddle will deliver an upshift, while a gentle push forward on either paddle will induce a “matched-rev” downshift.
This capability makes the Lincoln MKT driving experience sporty, yet smooth. Unlike other competitive transmissions, SelectShift won’t “second guess” the driver with an override shift. With SelectShift, manual control is truly manually controlled.
All-wheel drive is optional in the Lincoln MKT with the standard 3.7-liter V-6. The AWD option enhances the vehicle’s capability in a variety of weather conditions. The sophisticated AWD system is fully automatic, using an advanced array of internal electro-mechanical clutches to efficiently distribute torque between front and rear wheels as needed. AWD is standard in the Lincoln MKT with EcoBoost.
Quiet, confident motoring
“The Lincoln MKT strikes the optimum balance between capable and driver-engaging handling, while simultaneously delivering a smooth, quiet ride in all three rows,” said Chief Engineer Ron Heiser. “It combines a luxury touring experience with an agile ride and available Class III towing strength.”
Key elements of Lincoln MKT suspension development and tuning included minimizing front end lift on acceleration, offering stable and engaging steering and handling characteristics that provide confidence to all drivers, all while delivering a luxurious ride quality consistent with Lincoln brand character.
A new rear suspension system features a “one for one” shock absorber ratio. The resulting linear response gave the engineering team a stable baseline for suspension tuning, allowing the team to deliver a better balance between responsive handling and control as well as a smooth ride. It also improves rear suspension isolation and enables the use of 20-inch wheels.
Lincoln MKT delivers a new level of quiet confidence that delivers aims for best-in-class levels of NVH control. Virtual modeling and wind tunnel tests helped engineers optimize the vehicle, influencing everything from side-view mirror placement and special sound deadening in the bulkhead to extensive exhaust system isolation and the inclusion of both an acoustic windshield and dual-layer front side glass to specifically reduce A-pillar wind noise.
Premium innovations
Lincoln MKT delivers abundant technologies aimed at making life luxurious for both the driver and three rows of passengers. A holistic approach was used to develop these amenities, where ease of use and intuitive operation were key objectives. Nowhere is this focus more apparent than with Active Park Assist.
Lincoln MKT with EcoBoost features advanced Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS), which enables the optional Active Park Assist. This innovative technology employs an ultrasonic-based sensing system, as opposed to video camera-reliant competitive offerings, making hands-free parallel parking a breeze.
Active Park Assist activates at the touch of a button, reducing the risk of selecting an inappropriately sized parking space, detects the edges of adjacent objects to calculate optimized trajectory and steers the Lincoln MKT while coaching the driver through conventional throttle and braking inputs.
In addition to completing a parking maneuver quickly, Active Park Assist also works in uphill parking situations, unlike competitive systems on the market.
Additional Lincoln MKT customer convenience features include:
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Intelligent Access with Push Button Start
- SecuriCode™ Keyless Entry Keypad
- Adaptive Headlamps with Standard High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps
- Auto High Beams coupled with Adaptive Headlamps
- Rain-Sensing Wipers
- Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel-Filler System
- MyKey™
- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert
- Reverse Camera System
- Lincoln SYNC®
The available Navigation Package includes an internal hard-drive for map and point-of-interest information storage, THX II® Certified 5.1 Surround Audio System with 14 strategically aimed Premium Audio speakers. A unique new technology, making its debut in the Lincoln MKT audio upgrade package, is Neural Surround significantly improving the surround sound experience from compressed digital music formats. In addition, a SIRIUS Travel Link™ prepaid subscription is included with the Navigation Package providing coast-to-coast weather data, forecasts, fuel prices, sports scores, movie listings and more.
The available Navigation Package also enables the driver to display personal photos on the centerstack-mounted touchscreen. The system can store and display up to 32 photos, sized 1.5MB or less. The home screen can be personalized, by display or desired information or photos in one, two or three panel views.
Technology under the skin
The Lincoln MKT features an advanced structural safety system that combines octagonal front frame rails, tunnel rails, and support members that are designed to absorb and redirect crash forces away from the passenger compartment.
Lincoln MKT also features Side Protection And Cabin Enhancement Architecture (SPACE®) incorporated to optimize side-impact occupant protection.
The SPACE system integrates a hydroformed high strength steel tube embedded in the floor that runs the width of the vehicle from B-pillar to B-pillar and along the rocker panels to form a safety cage to help protect passengers in side impact incidents.
Lincoln MKT also features Ford’s enhanced Personal Safety System™, combining multiple technologies to tailor the air bag package and safety belt functions to the individual passenger and the accident circumstances. The system can identify variables, such as severity of the crash, weight of the individual passenger and safety belt usage to adjust air bag deployment force.
Additional Lincoln MKT safety technologies include:
- Safety Canopy® is Ford’s exclusive side impact protection system employing side curtain air bags to help protect front and outboard rear passengers in both rollover and side impact crashes.
- Belt-Minder® reminder technology for driver and front seat passenger, persistently taking over after the initial safety belt signal stops chiming.
- SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ automatically flashes the turn signal lamps and sounds the horn following deployment of an air bag or activation of a safety belt pretensioner.
- Collision Warning with Brake Support, enabled by Adaptive Cruise Control, provides the driver with a “heads-up” display that flashes on the windshield when the system senses slower moving traffic ahead. If the driver doesn’t respond, the system will pre-charge the brakes to prepare the vehicle for a more aggressive stop.
The Lincoln MKT will be built at Ford’s Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada, and will be in dealer showrooms in late summer.
