NEW FOR 2015:
– Revised rear styling
Lincoln’s flagship sedan carries into 2015 more or less unchanged, other than a couple of new paint colours and an additional splash of chrome on its backside.
While we wait for the next-generation flagship of Lincoln to debut, the MKS continues to offer buyers looking for traditional American luxury vehicle comfort, serenity, and a trunk the size of Kansas.
The chunky Lincoln (it weighs more than two tons) shares its underpinnings with the Ford Taurus – although its styling is distinctive, it’s not difficult to determine that both roll off the same assembly line in Chicago. The cabin is spacious with plenty of legroom and headroom, though it doesn’t have an especially airy feel due to thick pillars and small windows.
Though the MKS may be getting on in its years, a refresh two years ago gave it an infusion of technology that keeps it up to pace. MyLincoln Touch capacitive controls and touchscreen interface are unique in a segment that tends to prefer remote knob ‘n button interfaces. The big Lincoln has a couple of neat party tricks: It can parallel park itself and can take charge of steering to keep it in its own lane. Other noteworthy features include adaptive damping and torque vectoring, both of which come standard.
As per the segment norm, the MKS comes equipped with all-wheel drive as standard, though buyers have a choice between a naturally aspirated 3.7-litre V6, and a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre mill. Both are mated to a six-speed automatic. While the former makes more than 300 hp, it pales compared to pleasing turbocharged thrust of the EcoBoost model.
All MKS models come with the following equipment as standard: 12-way leather power adjustable seats that are heated and cooled, touchscreen infotainment system with reverse camera, push-button start with keyless access, remote start, power tilt and telescoping steering column, rain-sensing wipers, cap-less fuel filler, front parking sensors, and more.
The rather industrial-sounding Equipment Group 101A nets buyers blind-spot warning, power-adjustable pedals with memory, navigation, power rear sunshade, multi-contour (massaging) seats, lashings of genuine wood, and a THX sound system.
The Technology Package builds on 101A with radar cruise control with auto-brake, lane-keeping assistance, and self-park function. In terms of stand-alone options, the MKS can be further equipped with 20-inch chrome wheels, panoramic sunroof, and a block heater.
The EcoBoost model – Equipment Group 201A – includes the burlier turbo engine, plus heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats, 20-inch wheels, engine block heater, There are only two options on for the 201A: the Technology Package, and a panoramic power sunroof.
