Wilson Motor Company

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Driving Impressions

With the notable exception of the spirited Lincoln LS, which the MKS replaces, Lincolns have not been valued for their sporting character. And with the merely competent 2009 MKS, this lackluster tradition continued. With the 2010 direct fuel-injection, twin-turbocharged EcoBoost line of MKTs, however, things have changed dramatically. While delivering better highway fuel mileage than its non-turbocharged stablemate, the EcoBoost delivers 355 horsepower, and accelerating from any engine speed, the 350 pound-feet of torque on hand ensures immediate, vigorous response.

Ford's EcoBoost system eliminates the least hint of turbo lag, that annoying hesitation in many turbocharged engines before they begin generating power. In the EcoBoost, small water-cooled turbochargers that can respond extremely quickly are combined with a high-pressure fuel pump, 35 times higher than conventional fuel pumps, to ensure immediate power delivery. These turbochargers are designed for a life cycle of 150,000 miles.

In the MKS EcoBoost, paddle shifters on the steering wheel allow the same degree of engine-speed control as would an old-style stick shift. However, operating the paddle shifters requires no exotic downshifting skills. Using the paddles well brings the MKS platform fully to life.

Another exemplary quality of the front-wheel-drive MKS is that it feels more like a well-balanced rear-wheel-drive sedan, with all four wheels planted and contributing firm directional guidance. The car exhibits no torque-steer, that unsettling sensation that occurs when strong acceleration causes the steering to pull left or right. The recalibration of the MKS suspension, with new front-suspension geometry, a new front subframe and enhanced stabilizer bars front and rear, results in vastly improved agility and road feel. Combined with EcoBoost's all-wheel drive, standard, the MKS is a comfortable, confidence-inspiring all-weather sedan with truly impressive performance.

As before, the 2010 MKS delivers first-rate interstate-cruising ability. It's a touring sedan that is hungry for the horizon. But the 2010 rendering's new sportiness on curvy roads gives the new Lincoln at extra dimension it formerly lacked. Add the Lincoln's first-rate creature comforts, and this becomes a genuinely enviable luxury vehicle.

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