LINCOLN MKZ OFFERS DISTINCTIVE LUXURY LOOK WITH 'MIDNIGHT BLACK' PACKAGE FO

08/01/2008

Lincoln

Lincoln continues setting new standards for entry-level luxury sedans by offering a new interior design treatment that smartly blends basic black with MKZ's sophisticated Lincoln look and richly appointed interior.

The new "Midnight Black" MKZ special-edition package includes the following:

A black-themed interior with satin nickel-accents and light-colored maple wood inserts on the door trim, instrument panel and steering wheel

Black, premium-leather-perforated seating surfaces trimmed with contrasting piping and the Lincoln Star stitched into the head restraint.

The Midnight Black package adds even more luxury and refinement to Lincoln MKZ's interior.

Hailed by critics for helping redefine Lincoln as a serious contender in the luxury car market, Lincoln MKZ boasts a number of best in-class interiors features and award-winning technologies that treat customers to levels of comfort and convenience at a value unheard of in the luxury segment, including:

SYNC, Ford's industry-exclusive, voice-activated hands-free in-car communications and entertainment system. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft, the system fully integrates mobile phones and media players into the vehicle using Bluetooth technology and USB connectivity.

Available touch-screen, voice-activated navigation.

Standard SIRIUS(R) Satellite Radio.

Reverse Sensing System. This feature assists drivers with rear parking by providing an audible gauge of distance from approaching objects.

First-in-class standard 10-way power seats. Lincoln MKZ provides standard 10-way power seats to both driver and front passengers.

First-in-class climate-controlled seats. The Lincoln MKZ was the first in its class to provide climate-controlled front seats with perforated premium leather seating surfaces.

Best-in-class interior space. The Lincoln MKZ has not only the roomiest interior in its class but also has best-in-class rear seat legroom, providing exquisite comfort and ease of entry for rear passengers.

Class-exclusive standard 60/40 split rear seat. Functionality is as important as form, and the Lincoln MKZ excels at each with the inclusion of the easy-to-use rear 60/40, spring-assisted, split bench seat that allows for greater trunk storage when necessary.

Largest trunk in class. At 15.8 cubic square feet, the Lincoln MKZ enjoys a highly useable and roomy trunk storage space.

Award-Winning Sound

Named the 'Best Audio (Stereo) System' by PC Magazine in their 2007 Digital Drive Awards, the Lincoln MKZ's THX II system uses the latest in patented THX technologies to bring the home theater surround sound experience to the open road. The system uses a 12-channel amplifier to deliver 600 watts of power to a total of 14 speakers, including two subwoofers, strategically placed in the cabin.

The system's processor analyzes bandwidth, peak audio levels and coverage uniformity to deliver a smooth spectral balance and wide dynamic range. Multi-channel equalization and digital signal processing match the speaker placement to the cabin acoustics to assure this level of performance.

With the push of a button, the system can be configured for three specific listening modes - Driver, Front Seats and All Seats - ensuring that all passengers enjoy optimal sound.

The system also features a fast-loading six-disc changer that reads CDs in normal audio, MP3 compressed or text formats. The AM/FM tuner is compatible with the Radio Data Broadcasting System (RDBS) and displays participating radio station call letters, formats and song titles.

Premium Power

Ford's Duratec 35 V-6 engine delivers 263 horsepower and 249 pound-feet of torque results in smooth power and a confident, comfortable ride.

The Lincoln MKZ is able to respond readily to its driver's demands, thanks to the premium six-speed automatic transmission. A torque-based electronic throttle control works with the electronically controlled transmission by adjusting throttle plate movement to tailor torque to the timing of each shift. In this way, the transmission is able to deliver smooth, barely perceptible gear changes.

The Lincoln MKZ possesses an engaging, performance driving character thanks to the careful engineering and calibration on the chassis, steering boost curve, spring rates, anti-roll bars and damping force.

The standard 17-inch tires were selected to complement the suspension tuning and for their quiet tread design. The rack-and-pinion steering system was tuned to be in harmony with the suspension and tires. Utilizing the car's stiff structure, the Lincoln MKZ mounts the steering gear to the front perimeter subframe for reduced noise and vibration. This allows the driver to better experience the car's relationship to the road via the steering wheel, whether it's a parking maneuver or a high-speed lane change.

Lincoln MKZ offers standard front-wheel drive and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The intelligent AWD system is tuned with an emphasis on luxury performance and confident all-weather driving. The system actively and seamlessly delivers torque to all four wheels, even before wheel slippage occurs. An active on-demand coupler delivers the precise amount of torque needed to the rear wheels. Paired with standard traction control, intelligent AWD can transfer torque front-to-rear and side-to-side.

Safety Brings Peace of Mind

The Lincoln MKZ features a number of highly advanced safety technologies, including standard AdvanceTrac(R) electronic stability control. AdvanceTrac(R) can predict the vehicle's intentions using a sensor to detect and measure oversteer and understeer by monitoring the vehicle's steering wheel angle versus actual yaw. When the system senses wheel side slip - the difference between the driver's intended and the actual path - engine torque is reduced and braking is applied at individual wheels - something even the best drivers in the world can't do - to help keep the car tracking safely on its intended path.

Additional standard safety features on the Lincoln MKZ include:

Side air bag protection. The Lincoln MKZ is also outfitted for side-impact safety with side-impact air bags for driver and front passengers, and air curtains for both first and second rows.

Ford's Personal Safety System(R). This suite of safety features includes safety belt pretensioners, load-limiting retractors, dual-stage front air bags, driver-seat-position sensing and crash-severity sensing.

Ford's Belt-Minder(TM) system. If the driver or front passenger remains unbuckled, the system chimes and flashes a warning lamp for six seconds every 30 seconds for five minutes or until the driver buckles up, whichever comes first.

LATCH. The Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren system provides convenient mounting points for compatible child seats.

The Lincoln MKZ is built at Ford's Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly Plant in Mexico.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 229,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit our website at www.ford.com.