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Thread: Lincoln Zephyr-MKZ 2006-2012

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    Lincoln Zephyr-MKZ 2006-2012

    2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR BRINGS ACCESSIBLE LUXURY TO LINCOLN

    NEW YORK, Apr. 8 - The 2006 Lincoln Zephyr teaser unveiled at the 2004 New York International Auto Show illustrates how Lincoln can bring its hallmarks of elegant design and comfort to a new generation of customers. The midsize, five-passenger Lincoln Zephyr is a premium sedan with features that assure comfort and refinement worthy of a Lincoln. Just as significantly, it also introduces the design elegance and refinement that have made Lincoln Navigator and Aviator such desirable nameplates.

    Production Version is on the Way

    "The Lincoln Zephyr is a clear example of how we are able to bring exciting new products to the Lincoln stable by leveraging efficiencies throughout the Ford Motor Company organization. These great new products and the new customers they will attract are at the core of the Lincoln renaissance." said Darryl Hazel, Lincoln Mercury president.

    Production of the Lincoln Zephyr will begin in 2005 and will go on sale later that year as a 2006 model. It will complement the existing Lincoln lineup and provide a new entry in one of the "sweet spots" of the luxury market - the growing midsize premium segment.

    "The Lincoln Zephyr has all the design and comfort leadership that consumers expect from a Lincoln, but in a new segment that is more accessible to young professionals. This is definitely the most youthful of all Lincolns. It's all about great, elegant design, exceptional comfort and a youthful attitude," said Mark Birnhart, product marketing manager.

    Shape of Things to Come
    The Lincoln Zephyr's confident stance is wide and planted, suggesting a bold and aggressive attitude. It is instantly recognizable as a member of the Lincoln family - note the distinctive chrome waterfall grille and marquee placement of the Lincoln star emblems front and rear.

    Design statements such as the bold horizontal lines of the taillamps and grille reinforce its athleticism. Instead, the Lincoln Zephyr establishes its sport sedan persona with geometric elements such as a steeply raked windshield, strong horizontal themes and wide, large-diameter, spoked alloy wheels.

    "Wheels play an important role in generating a positive first impression, and these wheels reinforce the Lincoln Zephyr's confident personality," said design chief David Woodhouse, who led the teaser concept design under Executive Director Henrik Fisker at Lincoln's California Design Center. "The Lincoln Zephyr sits low, with a strong, wide stance. Everything emphasizes the purposeful, confident character of this vehicle."

    The wheels are 19 inches in diameter and feature a symmetrical 12-spoke layout that complements the Lincoln star located on the flush center caps. The spoke pattern puts the Lincoln logo in the "crosshairs," like a telescopic sight, drawing the eye toward the wheel center.

    Luminous and Luxurious
    "It's a very light and bright combination," Woodhouse said. "Everything from the body color to the interior is very light. This gives it a luminous, luxurious feeling, which accentuates the real wood, genuine leather and metallic accents."

    The side profile is complemented by chrome trim at the belt line, door handles and mirror caps, and the soft glow of satin aluminum wheels. The light body color also provides a strong contrast to the bold, dark window graphics.

    The rear window sweeps well up into the roof, but due to its steep angle, appears wide and low from the rear, reinforcing the strong horizontal lines of the taillamps, which extend well into the trunk lid.

    The rear bumper surface is nearly flush, contributing to the clean, uncluttered lines. Completing the effect is a lower tray framed by a thin line of bright metal trim milled from solid aluminum. Twin chrome tailpipes set wide apart extend through the lower fascia.

    The horizontal theme continues at the front of the car, where a classic Lincoln grille, executed in chrome, is flanked by wide, jeweled headlamps with projector-style barrels whose lower edges dip down into the horizontal turn signals. Side markers are integrated into the headlamp barrels as well, for a tailored appearance.

    The front bumper fascia is likewise nearly flush, surmounting a lower fascia that repeats the rear theme with a wide, horizontal air intake and wide-set, twin round running lamps with chrome trim rings.

    Lavish Interior Design and Package

    Design themes explored in a series of recent Lincoln concepts come into sharp focus in the interior of the new Lincoln Zephyr. Expect to see most of these elements again when the production car is unveiled.

    The key interior features of the Lincoln Zephyr are a commanding driving environment and the sophisticated interplay between surface textures, such as satin aluminum, chrome, leather and wood.

    The center console flows upward into a symmetrical, full-width instrument panel. The center stack features a prominent information center that serves as the controller for the exclusive THX™-certified ultra premium audio system as well as a navigational screen. All buttons and knobs are chromed, as are the one-touch louvered air vents, interior door handles and the control stalks on either side of the steering wheel.

    One show-stopping feature that was seen on the Lincoln Mark LT - a corrugated aluminum waterfall that flows downward into the center stack from the top of the instrument panel - is personalized to the Lincoln Zephyr with wider, more tactile raised surfaces.

    In keeping with the light exterior colors, the Lincoln Zephyr interior features light surfaces including sophisticated Harewood, an exotic wood installed with its fine grain pattern running horizontally. Wood is used symmetrically with a wide horizontal band on each side of the instrument panel, as well as facing the center console. Wood frames the chrome center of the substantial shift knob and is used in the hand grip area between the spokes of the steering wheel.

    The gauges were inspired by stylish wristwatches, with rounded rectangular housings, light faces and chrome hubs and pointers. The tachometer is given equal prominence with the speedometer in the symmetric array. The effect is enhanced by white LED lighting at night.

    The steering wheel is distinctively Lincoln, with four parallel horizontal spokes. Redundant audio controls and speed controls reside in satin metal inserts that serve as the inner face of the spokes. The steering wheel is trimmed in leather, with a prominent Lincoln star at its center.

    The seats are faced in new, softer premium leather, with shapes inspired by the classic Eames lounge chairs. "There's a clean, tailored theme to the seats," Woodhouse said.

    The two-tone theme, with seats that are lighter in color than the center console and other panels, reinforces the organic symmetry of the design. Yet the overall impression is one of light and airy elegance and refinement.

    The rear-seat passengers are just as cosseted as those up front - a testament to the efficient packaging in this midsize Lincoln.

    The rear seat features a generous fold-down arm rest with contrasting surfaces. As in the front, door panels use accents of satin aluminum, as well as technical metallic speaker cover fabric.

    Driving Enjoyment
    The Lincoln Zephyr is designed to provide confident and effortless driving enjoyment. It builds on Ford Motor Company's CD3 midsize-architecture, customized for Lincoln ride comfort and driving dynamics.

    The Lincoln Zephyr features a specially tuned and more powerful version of the Duratec 30 3.0-liter V-6 engine with intake variable cam timing (VCT), mated to a premium six-speed front-wheel-drive transmission and, following the launch, available all-wheel drive.

    The new six-speed transmission amplifies engine torque to provide better acceleration than comparable vehicles with four- or five-speed transmissions. Electronic throttle control and the electronically controlled transmission calibration assure smooth and seamless shifts, for quiet performance worthy of the Lincoln brand.

    Dampers, spring rates and bushings in the fully independent suspension have been specially selected and tuned for Lincoln driving characteristics, with an emphasis on comfort without sacrificing nimble response. The power steering system also has been uniquely tuned to complement the suspension and tires, which have unique internal construction for comfort and quiet performance. The large, four-wheel disc brakes provide confident stopping performance.

    Built-In Safety
    For occupant safety, the Lincoln Zephyr features a robust steel "safety cage" construction, with engineered crush zones to absorb impact energy. Ford Motor Company's industry-leading Personal Safety System provides a combination of active and passive safety features, such as front and side air bags, side air curtains, occupant classification sensing, three-point safety belts with front-seat pretensioners and retractors, tire pressure sensing, anti-lock braking and traction control.

    Lincoln Zephyr Name Recalls Era of Elegance
    The original 1936 Lincoln Zephyr was based on an innovative concept by Dutch-born designer John Tjaarda of the Briggs Body Corp. He drew inspiration from the aerodynamic "streamliner" trains that were catching the nation's imagination - including the record-setting diesel-powered Burlington Zephyr that helped to end the age of steam.

    Lincoln Zephyrs also were noted for spirited performance - with an impressive (for the time) 110 horsepower from their flathead V-12 engines. This combination of elegance and attitude made the 1942 Lincoln Zephyr convertible a perfect prop - along with a succession of martini glasses - for the famed "Thin Man" movie series, starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as debonair crime fighters Nick and Nora Charles.
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    Lincoln Zephyr #2
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    Lincoln Zephyr #3
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    Lincoln Zephyr #5
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    Lincoln Zephyr

    2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR BRINGS LINCOLN LUXURY TO ANOTHER NEW SEGMENT

    PRODUCT RENAISSANCE: One of five new Lincolns over four years
    EFFICIENT POWER: Duratec 30 V-6, 210 hp, ULEV II emissions
    DESIGN: Understated elegance
    INDUSTRY FIRST: THX II-Certified® audio system
    EXCLUSIVE: New Lincoln navigation system
    2005 NAIAS


    "We're beginning a renaissance at Lincoln - five new products over four years - starting with the Zephyr and Mark LT."
    – Darryl Hazel, President, Lincoln Mercury

    With the all-new 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, Lincoln will introduce an entirely new generation of consumers to the qualities that have made Lincoln a classic American luxury marque for more than 70 years.

    Qualities such as bold and distinctive exterior design; an interior that is rich and inviting, featuring high-quality materials throughout; and a driving experience that can be both luxurious and spirited, according to the driver's desires.

    The Zephyr will introduce new customers to Lincoln luxury.

    As a mid-size, five-passenger sedan, the Zephyr will offer younger buyers a luxury automobile with the comfort and refinement befitting a Lincoln. In this way, Zephyr will appeal to a completely new segment of buyers.

    This closely mirrors the mission of the original 1936 Lincoln Zephyr, which was introduced as the entry point for Lincoln luxury with a starting price of $1,400. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

    EXTERIOR: Classic, understated elegance

    The exterior design of the Zephyr incorporates classic elements of Lincoln style – elements that have, over time, become essential to the visual heritage of the brand.

    The family resemblance starts at the front, with Lincoln's traditional waterfall grille. Situated between a set of jewel-like, quad projector-beam or optional HID headlamps, the treatment is recognizable as Lincoln.

    The Lincoln Zephyr's side profile features chrome trim at the beltline and on the mirror caps, set off by the wheels. The 17-inch alloy wheels are an important design element, available with a machined appearance or a chromed-aluminum finish. Low-profile tires reinforce the low, purposeful stance of the car.

    Wrap around LED taillights accent the clean rear fascia.

    The rear bumper surface is nearly flush, contributing to the clean, uncluttered lines. Twin chrome tailpipes are set wide apart below thin horizontal reflectors in the lower fascia, similar in placement to the front fog lamps. Together, the flush bumper and chrome-tipped dual exhausts communicate a subtle athleticism.


    INTERIOR: Unpretentious luxury

    In the interior, real wood, high-quality leather, and aluminum trim highlight a cabin that continues Lincoln's reputation for interiors that deliver visual and tactile interest using genuine materials. White electro-luminescent lighting illuminates the round, chrome-ringed gauges, complementing the interior's white lighting, which uses white LEDs to backlight controls and switches at night.

    The instrument panel features a horizontal band of contrasting trim in one of four natural surfaces: Finely ribbed aluminum, finely ribbed aluminum with a dark finish, dark Ebony wood or light Maple.

    "The light Maple gives the interior a fresh and exciting look," says Marek Reichman, director of interior design strategy. "The dark Ebony is classic and elegant for a more traditional sense of luxury. The aluminum, with its lightly raised ribbing, is very technical and modern. We were able to establish four completely different ambient settings through use of these materials."

    The Lincoln Zephyr interior blends real wood, supple leather, contrasting chrome- and satin-finished trim and four different ambient settings.

    The 2006 Lincoln Zephyr is designed for comfort, too, with more than three feet of rear-passenger legroom. The spacious feel of the cabin was achieved by stretching the width of the base architecture by 30 millimeters and the wheelbase by 55 millimeters.

    The Lincoln Zephyr features a large 15.8-cubic foot trunk with a flat load floor and a low lift-over height. The decklid has compact hinge mechanisms that won't impinge on trunk volume or crush cargo. The rear seats feature standard 60/40-split backs that individually fold flat with a convenient spring assist, giving access to the trunk and affording cavernous storage space.

    Thanks to a rigid and robust structure, the quiet interior is the perfect environment for the industry's first THX II-Certified® audio system. Optional on the Lincoln Zephyr, the system features surround-sound worthy of an upscale cinema. The system features ten speakers and a sophisticated processor that inputs bandwidth, peak audio levels and coverage uniformity to deliver a smooth spectral balance and wide dynamic range. To ensure that driver and passengers always travel well – and with the right directions – a new DVD-based navigation system is available. The system includes most of North America on a single disc and features a sharp, 6.5-inch-wide screen and text-to-speech technology for travel directions aloud in English, Spanish or French.


    POWERTRAIN: Powerful and green

    The standard Duratec 30 DOHC V-6 with
    i-VCT produces 210 hp and 200 foot-pounds of torque.

    The Duratec 30 V-6 is the heart of Lincoln Zephyr's powertrain. Using intake Variable Cam Timing (i-VCT) to improve torque and reduce emissions, the engine generates 210 horsepower and 200 foot-pounds of torque. More importantly, it is the cleanest Duratec 30 ever, and will be rated for ULEV II tailpipe emissions in California, with a U.S. federal government rating of Tier II, Bin 5 tailpipe and LEV II evaporative emissions in states outside California.

    The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transaxle – gradually emerging as the new industry standard for luxury cars. The innovative, wide-ratio transmission plays a key role in Lincoln Zephyr's performance and smooth operation. The overall span of the ratios is approximately 6:1 versus 4.5:1 for a typical five-speed, which allows this smaller, more fuel-efficient engine to deliver efficient gas mileage along with a strong performance feel. Another bonus is that the modern six-speed automatic is lighter than some competitor's four- and five-speed transaxles, boosting performance and economy further.

    The Lincoln Zephyr also uses an electronic throttle control that works with the electronically controlled transaxle to ensure seamless shifts.


    SUSPENSION: Quiet ride, nimble handling

    Lincoln Zephyr's chassis is tuned for a quiet, comfortable ride with confident, responsive handling. All aspects of the fully independent suspension – dampers, spring rates and bushings – have been specially selected and tuned with an emphasis on ride comfort, without sacrificing precise and nimble response.

    The short- and long-arm front suspension and steering gear are mounted to the front subframe.

    The standard 17-inch tires, with their wide P225/50 profile, were selected to complement the suspension tuning, and for their quiet tread design. In fact, compared with other tires tested, they reduce interior sound levels by six decibels.

    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 Zephyr mounts the steering gear to the front perimeter subframe for reduced noise and vibration. Doing so enables the driver to better experience the car's relationship to the pavement via the steering wheel – no matter if it's a power-assisted parking maneuver or a high-speed lane change.


    SAFETY: The essential luxury

    Lincoln Zephyr incorporates a number of highly advanced safety technologies. It was designed with Ford's Personal Safety System™ and a body structure optimized to help manage energy in a crash.

    Standard front-seat thorax air bags and two-row side curtain air bags offer protection during side impacts.

    Lincoln Zephyr's Personal Safety System includes standard driver and front passenger air bags, seat-deployed side air bags for thorax protection, and three-point safety belts at all seating positions, with front-seat pretensioners and retractors. A full-length safety curtain provides head-protection coverage over the length of the window glass area – from A-pillar to C-pillar.

    The new air bags can prevent both front and rear occupants from hitting their heads on the side window or roof pillars in a severe side collision. In addition, the side-curtain air bag can help block glass splinters or other objects that could cause injury in a side impact.

    Lincoln Zephyr's new two-row air curtains also feature "roll-fold" technology – exclusive in the mid-size segment. If an occupant is resting his or her head against a window, the air bag is designed to slide between the glass and occupant as it fills. Typical side air curtains unfold like an accordion, using the occupant's head to keep the bag between the glass and the body. Lincoln's roll-fold keeps the air curtain against the glass, even when the occupant is out of position.

    Lincoln Zephyr features four-wheel disc brakes with a 4-sensor, 4-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD). By measuring brake force and directing braking to the wheels that have the best grip, EBD helps achieve shorter stopping distances even before ABS activates. Traction assist is also standard.
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    CLOSING THOUGHTS: Delivering on the promise

    Lincoln Mercury's revitalization is built on strong products: 11 new vehicles, in six new segments, including five new Lincolns over four years. The Lincoln Zephyr follows the Mark LT truck and the concept version of the next-generation Aviator as the third new Lincoln unveiled thus far – all three in new segments for the brand.

    "This is a growth strategy for Lincoln, and we've proven that it works," says Hazel. "The Navigator was a huge hit for Lincoln, and the Lincoln Zephyr expands the brand into the fast-growing premium mid-size market."

    Lincoln Zephyr will be built at Ford Motor Company's Hermosillo Assembly Plant in Mexico. The all-new sedan goes on sale in the fall of 2005 in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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    Based on the new Fusion I guess?

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    DESIGN: Understated elegance: Translated out of car salesman language: Bland but nice to look at it.

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    toyota clone, compromise between the Avalon and the Avensis
    Last edited by henk4; 01-10-2005 at 02:53 AM.
    "I find the whole business of religion profoundly interesting, but it does mystify me that otherwise intelligent people take it seriously." Douglas Adams

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    geez i cant stand those back lights... they are so big and bold and well hideous!!

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    I smell another Euro Ford Mondeo derivate, sadly five years late, again.
    Rear lights could be leathal. Simply blinding.

    Cheers!

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