Crossroads Lincoln Mercury

2010 LINCOLN MKZ DELIVERS CLASS-LEADING BLEND OF INTERIOR QUIETNESS AND POWERTRAIN PURR

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:23:00 +0000

DEARBORN, Mich., March 18, 2009 – The interior of the new 2010 Lincoln MKZ embodies the near perfect balance of silence and sound, offering entry-level luxury customers the ultra-quiet cabin they expect along with a refined powertrain purr that’s bound to surprise and delight.

MKZ has been among the leaders in the midsize sedan segment for interior quietness, which customers – especially luxury-car shoppers – undeniably connect to overall product quality and satisfaction levels, according to vehicle studies from respected third-party voices such as J.D. Power and Associates andConsumer Reports.

Since the 2002 model year, the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup has consistently improved year-over-year as shown by the reduction in ‘wind noise’ as a complaint by customers during research in ‘things gone wrong’ (TGWs). The company is now head-to-head with other full-line manufacturers in the U.S., including Toyota and Honda, for interior quietness. According to internal Ford research, the 2009 MKZ, in fact, beats the current model year Lexus ES350 in key interior quietness attributes such as road noise at 30 mph.

For model year 2010, the Lincoln MKZ is even quieter.

The new Lincoln MKZ, which launches in the spring of 2009, further benefits from Ford Motor Company’s unwavering commitment to deliver the highest possible product quality in all areas, including class-leading interior quietness. The new MKZ was subject to a variety of aggressive noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) actions that solidly position the midsize luxury sedan among its competitors for road noise, wind noise and overall quality of powertrain sound.

“We took a product that was already a solid performer for interior quietness and added an extra bit of refinement in the areas that help create a world-class interior sound with a balance between road noise, wind noise and powertrain sound,” said Joe Mucha, an NVH specialist on Ford’s midsize vehicle programs. “Even the untrained ear will notice how quiet the new Lincoln MKZ is. Customers will particularly appreciate the quality of the powertrain sound at wide open throttle.”

Quiet Building Blocks
The 2010 Lincoln MKZ attacks interior quietness through several specific NVH actions and improvements, including:

A new acoustic laminated windshield that features a layer of sound-absorbent vinyl sandwiched between two sheets of glass to soften noise levels
Thicker rear backlight for improved wind noise
Improved body/door sealing to reduce wind noise
New expandable stuffers in the fenders and pillars
Constrained layer damping material on the entire floor to reduce road noise, especially noise generated by the tires
A retuned air induction system for a more refined powertrain sound
An all-new acoustic headliner to further deaden interior noise

These measures are proving their worth. In internal wind tunnel tests, for example, the 2010 Lincoln MKZ was subjected to 80 mph gusts at varying degrees of yaw (to simulate head/cross winds), and bested both the current model year Lexus ES350 and Acura TL across the board for the lowest recorded loudness – regardless of yaw variation.

The 2010 MKZ also ups the ante on road noise against competing models, holding the lowest recorded sound level measurement in internal 30 mph tests, coming in 3.5 dBA quieter than the Acura TL and 1.7 dBA quieter than the Lexus ES350.

“A three or four dBA variance in the 30 mph test results in a noticeable difference that most drivers or passengers would be able to discern without much effort,” said Mucha.

The 2010 Lincoln MKZ also widens the gap with superb powertrain sound at wide open throttle. “The 2010 MKZ delivers on key Lincoln DNA attributes for powertrain sound quality,” added Mucha. “It’s the right balance of loudness and refinement; it’s powerful when it should be, but it doesn’t sound harsh or thrashy. And, since the cabin is inherently quieter, voice articulation and speech intelligibility are greater under heavy acceleration.”

Sound Advantages
A world-class quieter cabin provides Lincoln MKZ customers another added benefit – a more suitable environment for voice-activated technologies such as SYNC and Ford’s next-generation Navigation System with SIRIUS® Travel Link™, as well as for MKZ’s premium THX II Certified 5.1 Surround sound system.

This system delivers 600 watts to 14 strategically placed speakers, and features THX Slot Speaker technology in the dashboard, which allows for unmatched sound distribution.

“The combination of the premium THX audio system and unmatched interior quietness offers
MKZ customers an exceptional in-car audio experience,” said Jonathan Richards, MKZ marketing manager. “This pairing represents one more example of why customers are now equating the Lincoln brand with elegant, modern design, unparalleled comfort, unrivaled features and best-in-class quality.”

2010 Lincoln MKZ Pricing Starts at $34,965

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 21:07:00 +0000

The 2010 Lincoln MKZ offers more standard luxury features compared to other midsize luxury sedans, such as the Lexus ES350 and Cadillac CTS
A new Sport Appearance Package is available for the 2010 Lincoln MKZ that offers a variety of custom details, including 18-inch chrome wheels
Base price of $34,965 includes destination and delivery

Dearborn, March 18, 2009 – The 2010 Lincoln MKZ offers customers more standard luxury and segment-exclusive safety features for their money, with a starting price of $34,965, including destination and delivery.

Compared with other midsize luxury sedans – such as the Lexus ES350 and Cadillac CTS – the MKZ comes with more standard luxury features, such as Bridge of Weir leather seats, genuine wood trim, heated and cooled front seats, the popular SYNC entertainment and connectivity system, a reverse sensing system and driver multi-adjustable power seat.

The 2010 Lincoln MKZ also has features not offered by competitors in this segment, such as the all-new Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA).
“Customers universally are surprised when they get into a competing vehicle and find out that they have to pay more for luxury features, such as premium leather seats,” said Jonathan Richards, Lincoln MKZ Marketing manager. “That’s what sets the MKZ apart from the competition. It comes standard with all the features you would expect from a world class entry-level luxury sedan.”

The front-wheel-drive MKZ has a base price of $34,965, and the all-wheel drive model is available for a base price of $36,855. Pricing on both models includes destination and delivery.

Ultra-Quiet Ride
The new MKZ offers an ultra-quiet cabin, a feature that consumers – especially luxury car shoppers – undeniably connect to overall product quality and satisfaction levels, according to vehicle studies from third-party voices, such as J.D. Power and Associates.

According to Ford research, the 2010 MKZ also beats out the current Lexus ES350 in key interior quietness attributes, such as road noise at 30 mph and wind noise at 80 mph.

The interior quietness coupled with the premium THX II Certified 5.1 Surround sound system available in the MKZ offers customers an exceptional in-car audio experience, says Richards.

“This pairing represents one more example of why customers are now equating the Lincoln brand with elegant, modern design, unparalleled comfort, unrivaled features and best-in-class quality,” he said.

Segment-Exclusive Safety Features
The new Lincoln MKZ offers segment-exclusive safety features, including first-in-class Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA), which makes navigating traffic and parking lots safer and easier. BLIS tracks vehicles in the blind-spot zones on either side of the vehicle using two multiple-beam radar modules behind the rear fenders, and CTA uses the BLIS radar sensors to alert the driver to approaching traffic while in reverse and backing out of a parking spot.

New Sport Appearance Package
Luxury car buyers who want a sportier-looking ride can opt for the Sport Appearance Package, which is new for the 2010 model year. It offers special sport suspension tuning with stiffer springs and larger stabilizer bars; 18-inch Euroflange polished wheels; unique grille, body-color door handles and darkened headlamps; and an interior with tuxedo seam seat patterns, contrasting piping, upgraded floor mats and aluminum appliqués.

Vizualtech Recreates a 1968 Mercury Cougar via 3D Rendering

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 21:44:00 +0000

We have been pretty impressed with the 3D work that comes from Vizualtech, a design firm based in Sweden. Although they don't manufacture any of the cars they design, we certainly wish they would at least partner with an assembly facility. Some of the coolest computer auto designs we've seen to date, Vizualtech has previously displayed their version of a Volvo C30 Racecar and a Le Mans Dodge Challenger.

All that work got the Swedish company a new client. The as-yet unnamed customer went to the firm with plans to build a very powerful replica 1968 Mercury Cougar. It may just be us, but we think the designers were bang on target with this classic muscle car. With a big front bumper integrated into that long front-end, and new lower side body work make this car look excellent. Its new grille and front headlight covers almost makes the car look like something out of Death Race 2000.

Originally, the Cougar could be bought as a GT that came with a 6.4-liter Ford FE V8. The 390 cu in engine produced 265 hp.

Well, "the client" is definitely going a step further. They plan to put in a car rated for NASCAR races. That means it will be smaller, and definitely more powerful than the Ford engines originally supplied. A true NASCAR engine usually produces between 700 and 800 hp. The engine will be mated to a six-speed transmission. It will be lower to the ground, and ride on 9.5 x 17 Hoosier drag tires. A roll cage will also be built in.

Whoever that client is, we hope he sends us some pics of the finished product.

Source: Vizualtech

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2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid Qualify for $3400 Tax Break

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Ford has announced that their new 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids will be eligible for a $3,400 tax credit from the US government.The highest amount ever offered for hybrids purchased or placed in service after Dec. 31, 2005.

Power comes from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine which is paired to a 93 kW electric motor, an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission, and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This combination allows the car to travel at speeds up to 47 mph on electricity alone. The end result means that both hybrids are rated at 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, figures that beat the Toyota Camry Hybrid by 8 mpg city and 2 mpg highway.

The Fusion hybrid will be in dealerships this spring with prices starting at $27,270. While the $3,400 tax credit helps to offset some of the cost associated with the fuel sipping model, it is still considerably more expensive than the standard Ford Fusion S which goes for $19,270.

Source: Ford

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