2015 LA Preview: The 2017 Lincoln MKZ goes insane, gets 400hp V6

If someone ever walked up to me and said there’s a 400hp Lincoln in town–no pun intended, I swear–I would’ve laughed in your face with a spritz of whatever I’d be chewing or sipping on at the time.

Lincoln’s synonymous with everything but power and performance all in the name of American pseudo-luxury and comfort. As so, they’re the top choice for taxi and livery companies, as well as rental fleets and Fort Lauderdale.

But they’re trying really hard to crash that image and to make Lincoln cool again. How does a 400hp 2017 Lincoln MKZ sound?

Yea, you read correctly. In addition to a completely new face heavily inspired by the recent Continental Concept, which seems oddly misplaced and lacking fluidity with the rest of the body, the 2017 Lincoln MKZ comes with a Lincoln-exclusive, 3.0L GTDI V6 with 400hp and 400 lb-ft of twist. That’s with the all-wheel drive, but the front-wheel drive version still gets 350hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.

Yes, 350hp and 400 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels, the same wheels that have to perform the tasks of both driving and steering. Can you say, torque steer city?

Despite the “GTDI” appendage, the Lincoln V6 is a gas mill, not a diesel.

Lincoln didn’t specify what transmission’s handling that duty, but it will have several forward gears…or many.

In addition to the insanity under the hood, the 2017 Lincoln MKZ gets some new packages, like a Driver’s Package synonymous to a sports package, with a new grille, 19-inch wheels, painted brake calipers, sport seats with carbon fiber-like trimmings, and aluminum sport pedals. There are also revisions to the adaptive suspension and the all-wheel drive’s Dynamic Torque Vectoring system.

Further down the line, the MKZ will also be made with a new 2.0L EcoBoost four-cylinder and a hybrid version.

Sales are due to begin in the summer of 2016.

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QUIET LUXURY: INTUITIVE TECHNOLOGY, EFFORTLESS PERFORMANCE AND DISTINCTIVE DESIGN DRIVE 2017 LINCOLN MKZ

Discover your new favorite space. The new Lincoln MKZ combines intuitive technology, effortless performance and distinctive design to deliver an enhanced driving experience Lincoln calls quiet luxury.

Lincoln reveals a newly designed MKZ today, focusing on areas most desired by today’s luxury midsize sedan customer – quality, performance and style.

“Our customers are looking for three attributes in a luxury midsize sedan – technologies that ease their everyday experience, a beautiful design that is crafted with attention to detail, and a vehicle with impressive power that makes it a pleasure to drive,” said Kumar Galhotra, president of Lincoln. “The new Lincoln MKZ elevates all of these attributes – and many more – to create a compelling entry in this large and highly competitive portion of the luxury market.”

The new Lincoln MKZ is designed to appeal to those who are looking for something different in the luxury market. From the placement of technology features such as the push-button gear shift to reimagined interior spaces including the floating center console, drivers can relish in discovering an unexpected experience based on intelligent function and beautiful form that offers, above all, an enjoyable drive.

The Lincoln Experience is brought to life through the available Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter GTDI V6 engine, as well as intangible elements like the quiet cabin provided by the Active Noise Control system.

Features that make the new Lincoln MKZ a haven of refined comfort include curated spaces for storage, the availability of three Lincoln Black Label interior packages with exclusive, personal in-home design consultation, available fully retractable panoramic glass roof, and concert-quality Revel® audio with specially designed doors for optimal positioning of the speakers.

INTUITIVE TECHNOLOGY

The new Lincoln MKZ is designed to make the drive easier and more enjoyable. Available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality automatically can slow the car, resuming higher speeds when traffic clears. The system activates the brakes automatically to bring the car to a complete stop if the driver fails to apply brakes in time [1].

An auto hold feature keeps the car at a complete stop without the driver having to press and hold the brake pedal – making stop-and-go driving more relaxing for MKZ owners.

Available enhanced park assist uses ultrasonic sensors to help Lincoln MKZ seamlessly steer itself into a parallel or perpendicular parking spot. The car can assist with park-out as needed [1].

Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection is an available technology that can help avoid some frontal crashes [1], or lessen the severity of such events.

LINCOLN-EXCLUSIVE ENGINE PROVIDES EFFORTLESS PERFORMANCE

An all-new, Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter GTDI V6 leads available engine choices for the new Lincoln MKZ. When paired with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system, the twin-turbocharged engine produces 400 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque [2,3] for effortless performance and refinement.

Dynamic Torque Vectoring [4], part of an available Driver’s Package for MKZ with the 3.0-liter engine, enhances cornering agility without compromising ride comfort, helping drivers enjoy a smooth, seamless experience.

The new Lincoln MKZ provides a hybrid alternative as well; and a 2.0-liter GTDI, 245-horsepower [2] four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive.

Available Lincoln Drive Control allows drivers to adjust among three drive modes – comfort, normal and sport. The system includes continuously controlled damping, and electric power-assisted steering to provide comfortable, confident handling.

The Driver’s Package for Lincoln MKZ with 3.0-liter V6 also includes 19-inch wheels, Ebony-painted calipers, light Magnetic-painted grille, Ebony interior with carbon fiber appliqués, customizable multi-contour seats and aluminum pedal covers. In addition, the package features retuned continuously controlled damping and suspension for enhanced driving dynamics.

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN

The new face of Lincoln is highlighted by available adaptive LED headlamps that help deliver cleaner, clearer lighting for drivers, complemented by the all-new one-piece Lincoln signature grille.

Inside, engineers paid particular attention to the sound and feel of new switches and dials that replace slider adjustments for easier control of ventilation and audio functions for new Lincoln MKZ customers. Commonly used buttons and USB ports are now even easier to access.

Two all-new Lincoln Black Label themes, Chalet and Vineyard, as well as Thoroughbred, deliver desired uniqueness and options paired with luxurious materials. Lincoln MKZ’s available fully retractable panoramic glass roof offers the largest open-air roof among sedans. [5]

The new Lincoln MKZ goes on sale in summer 2016.

– By: Chris Chin

Follow Chris Chin and egmCarTech on social media on Twitter @SirChrisChin and @egmCarTech, and @CSquaredPhotography and @egmCarTech on Instagram.

Chris Chin

Chris Chin is the Editor-In-Chief of egmCarTech and is a regular contributor to Automobile Magazine.

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