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Lincoln MKS racking up thousands of sales before launch

 
9 1,496 views Jun 2, 2008

2009 lincoln mks motorauthority 001

Lincoln MKS racking up thousands of sales before launch

Lincoln MKS racking up thousands of sales before launch

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More than 8,600 orders have been placed for the 2009 Lincoln MKS even though the car isn’t set to go on sale officially until the end of the month. The large number of pre-orders has been attributed to Lincoln's non-traditional marketing techniques in promoting the car such as revealing full pricing information and package options at its initial debut at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. This allowed customers to build and price their vehicle while the excitement of the all-new model was still in the air.

Lincoln is aware of how important the MKS will be for the brand's future reputation. The MKS is the first vehicle designed with the brand’s new DNA and proudly displays new Lincoln-trademarks such as a double-wing grille, jewel-like headlamps and high waistline. Inside, there’s class-leading space, heated rear seats, an overhead skylight and a sun shade all included within the $38,000 starting price.

Other features include the latest Sync voice-activated multimedia system, a capless fuel-filler, Sirius satellite radio and a keypad security system. The powertrain has been derived from the proven 3.5L V6 engine found in the Lincoln MKX but with displacement bumped up to 3.7L and peak output topping at 270hp and 360Nm (265lb-ft) of torque.

In a year Ford will launch the TwinForce V6, a new turbocharged and direct injection version of the 3.7L mill. Ford claims the new engine will make the Lincoln MKS the most powerful and fuel-efficient AWD luxury sedan in the market.

The MKS represents the rebirth of Lincoln, and it looks like Cadillac may have a new competitor in the luxury American car market (65% of the Lincoln MKS's pre-orders were for the top-spec luxury trim) but where Lincoln is making a return to quality and style much in a similar vein to what Cadillac has done, Lincoln is still limited to the U.S. while Caddy has global distribution, a factor that may just ensure Cadillac's success.

Nevertheless, Lincoln dealers are obviously pleased with the attention the new MKS is getting. Speaking with The Detroit News, one Long Beach dealer explained that the fact he alone has 30 pre-orders proves Lincoln's new strategies are satisfying customers.

2009 Lincoln MKS
2009 Lincoln MKS

HI-RES GALLERY: 2009 lincoln mks motorauthority 001




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Comments (9)

  1. By chris Posted: 6/2/2008 8:35am PDT

    awesome. It's no DTS.. but it will certainly start something for lincoln, thats for sure. to think its a full sized luxury sedan... with a 3.7L V6 as the only engine option.. and its still selling nearly 10,000 strong in pre-sales. Cant wait for the local ford dealer to sit that thing next to the new XF so that I can compare the interiors..

    just saw the XF in person on the weekend and the interior is amazing.. if ford could do that with this car,.. then lincoln should be moving up market very soon. It still looks like you're getting some hard plastic and things of that nature, but maybe the picture is lying to me
     
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  2. By admin Posted: 6/2/2008 8:41am PDT

    Yeah it looks like the entire center console all the way down to the shifter is fitted with that cheap black plastic we've all come to hate. It's a tough one, because leather and wood are expensive and a piano black finish gets smudges all over it. Pleather could be an option, but I'm sure it's expensive to actually fit.

    This is the picture that shows off the black plastic at its worst -
    http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-content/plugins/iimage-gallery.php?idpost=6047&idg=1&idi=11

    Even Mercedes interiors have way too much cheap plastic for my liking. What's the solution? Have you seen a reasonably priced car that has a nice interior?
     
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  3. By admin Posted: 6/2/2008 8:42am PDT

    Even that Lincoln chrome badging looks like it's metallic coated plastic. I hope I'm wrong but you never know....
     
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  4. By chris Posted: 6/2/2008 8:57am PDT

    admin, you're absolutely right. (p)leather is the only real option, and suede is really nice. The north american ZX4 Focus ST had pretty liberal usage of black suede, but not nearly enough to make it worth while.

    Plastic looks and feels cheap, because it is,
    metals look great at first but dent, and show scratches worse than plastic
    leather and other cloths are expensive and difficult to work with,
    CF makes you look like a douche, and again, too expensive,
    piano black smudges, and scratches easily.
    wood trim will make you die of old age, even if you arent old.

    The one thing that i like about the interior on the new focus is that they've used rubberized plastic more. Its heavier, yet softer to the touch, doesnt scratch that easily,.. it just feels a whole lot more rich. of course its nothing like hand stitched cloth covering everything, but for cheaper cars? it's good enough. the surface pattern also makes all of the difference in the world. something that is very fine, and random looking.

    My biggest rag here is that a car like this one should be able to have a full leather interior. not even giving some one the option is just insanity to me. I want full leather interiors on my FOCUS,.. let alone a flag ship lincoln..

    I know what you mean about the chrome covered plastic. I don't think that the car makers get it. people know that plastic is cheap and other stuff is expensive. yeah, you dont really want a gear nob that is heavy and holds heat or cold well. you want something that is light, and warms quickly to the touch. but everyone has this psychological thing... we feel like heavy, stiff, and cold mean expensive.
     
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  5. By admin Posted: 6/2/2008 9:10am PDT

    I have found that rubberized plastic can attract a lot of dust and is difficult to clean. With the billions spent by automotive suppliers on interior designs you'd think they would have come up with a solution by now. It's appaling that these luxury cars have plastic anywhere in sight. Covering a dash in leather may cost a lot, but I'd be willing to pay for it.

    BTW, Chris did you ever get my email? It looks like Yahoo is eating them. Can you send me an email at sid(((@)))motorauthority.com?
     
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  6. By chris Posted: 6/2/2008 9:39am PDT

    Solution to ruberized plastic: armor all. works really great.. well, on the black interiors anyways. trust me, i know what you mean about paying for good interior.. I chose the fully loaded focus over a base mustang JUST because I didn't want a BASE MUSTANG. I just wish they gave you more options in the interiors. I'm hoping ford actually steps up to bat regarding the fiesta. they've been saying that they'll finally give you good interior no matter the car, and they'll start with the fiesta. if i cant get a suede or pleather interior on my 2011 fiesta ST, well... my heart will be broken yet again.

    Yeah looks like yahoo ate it, the spam filtering on yahoo is rediculous. I get at least 100 spam a day. I'll fire one off right now.
     
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  7. By amac Posted: 6/2/2008 8:00pm PDT

    This is a great-looking car!
     
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  8. By craigs Posted: 6/3/2008 7:11am PDT

    Don't use Armor All, it speeds up the break down of your dash. By something a little more expensive like Macguiers Dash Cleaner Wipes which don't break down your dash or leave an oily shiny residue.

    This car is nice looking, especially the rear view. I hope it does well for them.
     
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  9. By chris Posted: 6/3/2008 7:53am PDT

    craigs, i'm not using the standard armor all,.. i'm using some interior wipes thinger.. and it doesn't leave an oily residue.. i use it to clean my leather seats because it doesnt slick them up but picks up everything.. they're really good.

    as far as the breaking down of the dash is concerned.. i couldn't care less. it's a lease, and i just dont care. it's going to look like new when i return it in 2.5 years,... it could blow up the next day and i'd probably have a good laugh about it,.. and move on with my life.

    god leasing is great.
     
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