Autos: Lincoln's flagship these days is the MKS sedan

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Ford's Lincoln luxury division was once known for names like Town Car, Mark IV and Continental.

Now, the marque has gone the way of Cadillac in seeking to emulate European and Japanese luxury brands with enigmatic code names like MKS, MKT, MKX and MKZ.

It takes more than nomenclature to shake off an old identity, so Lincoln has shed all the old hallmarks of its former self, building cars that are sleek, sophisticated, safe and strong.

Lincoln's flagship these days is the MKS, a full-size sedan that made its debut as a 2009 model after a couple of rounds at the auto shows as a concept car. Like its rivals, the MKS is a potent performer that lavishes its owner in luxurious accoutrements.

Available in front or all-wheel-drive, the MKS offers buyers the choice of two V6 engines and two trim levels at $40,870 for the front-drive base model, $42,760 for the all-wheel-drive version, and $47,760 for the most powerful EcoBoost version.

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine is the first V6 direct-injection twin-turbocharged engine produced in North America, churning enough horses to rival a V8 while offering better fuel economy. With 355 horsepower, the EcoBoost burns fuel at the reasonable rate of 17 city miles per gallon and 25 on the highway in all-wheel-drive format.

The base engine is 3.7-liter, 270-horsepower V6 that breathes through 24 valves and delivers 265 foot-pounds of torque at 4,250 rpm.

Both versions of the MKS come with a six-speed Select Shift Automatic transmission that can operate as a quasi-manual. For performance enthusiasts, paddle shifters are built into the steering wheel spokes. Squeezing either paddle will deliver an upshift, while a push forward brings a downshift.

On all-wheel-drive versions, the system uses internal electro-mechanical clutches to distribute torque between front and rear wheels as needed. AWD is standard in the Lincoln MKS with the 3.5-liter V6.

Lincoln revisited the structure of the MKS for the 2010 model year, seeking further reductions in the already exemplary levels of noise, vibration and harshness. Added bracing and sound-deadening materials enhanced the isolation from the noisy world of urban traffic.

EcoBoost versions of the MKS feature larger stabilizer bars for flatter cornering, with a new subframe for better ride and handling.

Under the roof, the MKS is replete with leather and real wood trim, embellished with metal accents and a sculpted dash. An information screen at the center of the dash displays the navigation system, which is optional.

The front seats have side bolsters to keep driver and passenger in place during aggressive maneuvers. Heated and cooled 12-way power driver and front-passenger seats are standard.

Passengers gain access to the rear seats through the largest rear-door opening in the segment, according to Lincoln's measurements. The rear seats are also heated as part of the standard equipment.

Safety systems include Collision Warning with Brake Support featuring a "heads-up" display that flashes on the windshield if the system senses a potential collision with the vehicle in front of it. If a collision is imminent, the system increase brake assist sensitivity to improve stopping power when the driver finally slams the brake pedal.

A rather amazing Active Park Assist system is optional, using ultrasonic signals to guide the car past obstacles. With the touch of a button, Active Park Assist identifies an adequate parking spot, detecting the edges of adjacent objects to calculate an optimized angle, then steers the Lincoln MKS into the spot while coaching the driver through throttle and braking inputs. The system even works in uphill parking situations.

The MKS is also equipped with a software system called Pull-Drift Compensation that helps compensate for pulling or drifting in steady crosswinds or uneven roads. Pull-Drift Compensation uses sensors to measure the steering input applied by the driver to help maintain the vehicle's path.

Adaptive Cruise Control, one of the most impressive developments in the luxury ranks in recent years, will adjust the speed of the car based on the traffic ahead of it using radar input.

For those who don't trust themselves or other drivers with whom they might share the MKS, Lincoln offers MyKey. The system allows you to limit the use of certain features, limit audio volume, encourage seat-belt use and warn when fuel levels become perilously low.

WHAT'S NEW: Intro for 2009 model; sound insulation and suspension upgrades for 2010.

PLUSES: Power, comfort, safety, technology.

MINUSES: Price of entry.

BOTTOM LINE: Tech marvel.

(E-mail Richard Williamson at motorfriend(at)sbcglobal.net)

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