Ford Motor Company announced that the Lincoln Zephyr will be renamed to the MKZ beginning with the 2007 model year. Ford, in rebuilding mode, is giving the premium Lincoln line a slight makeover. All model names will eventually transition to 3 letter designations. It will also receive the 250HP/240 lb-ft 3.5L Duratec V6 powerplant. This is a near 30 horse upgrade from the current 3.0L DOHC V6 motor, and makes this one of the fastest four-door cars ever produced by Ford.
Like the platform-sharing Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, the MKZ will only be available in a six-speed automatic transmission (first gear is a whopping 4.15:1 ratio!) However the 2007 MKZ will incorporate all-wheel drive instead of front-wheel drive.
We’re currently test driving the Fusion, and we must say the car is pretty impressive for a sedan. We’ll have a review posted soon.
I got my Zephyr already and am very pleased with the power, though not quite as much as my previous Altima. Best vehicle I ever owned, and I’m an old fart…
By Ed. March 13th, 2006 at 4:29 amCheck ou my car at http://www.2006zephyr.com
Ford needs to give its head a shake and fire the people responsible for giving a Lincoln a second rate engine. Bring on the HP.
Ford should also rid itself of the advertising company that is responsible for their car/truck ads.
I swear that the persons making the Ford commercials are working for GM.
I definatly wouldn’t buy a 500 after viewing there inane cammercials.
Nobody else is buying them either.
Fire the whole advertising staff.
Rethink now or head for the sunset.
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http://spaces.msn.com/MOES-GARAGE/
By moe. February 27th, 2006 at 6:42 pm…to say I was disappointed is an understatement! ‘06 Fusion, gr8t shape, (small Sho ) , but wheres the beef? 3.0L, V/6, 221-HP ? but only available with 6-speed automatic… YIKES! Here’s whats’ needed at the Ford braintrust, which is lacking innovative ideas to compete with the ‘foreigners!’ Put the 3.5L, V/6, with 250-HP, mated to a 6-speed automatic/manual transmission. This would make ‘us’ Sho owners proud. I would race out and get one, “NOW!” So who ever is in charge at Ford, wake up and smell da java!
By johnny arnone. February 23rd, 2006 at 9:34 pmIts a shame they can make that much horsepower out of a v6 its great an all but when a 05 stang 8 has 300 an this one is makein that much its impressive just a litte sad in a way. I dont know they just dont make power liek they used to. Besides that when they do it cost an arm an a leg. Now its gonna be hard to hit a clucth pedal an shift wiht one arm an one leg lol.
By andy. February 15th, 2006 at 6:21 pmI just think its too bad they have to resort to calling the car a name like all of the asian cars. Look at acura. Fords following a name trend. At least the engine is respectable. Still about 13 HP less than the Hyundai Azera, and 18 less than the maxima. They better put some really neat stuff into the car to compete. I actually wouldn’t mind buying a fusion for a family car with the 250hp engine, if they offer it eventually. It would actually be more powerful than the 225hp 302 that currently resides in my mach 1 now.
By 19Mach69. February 15th, 2006 at 2:33 amSounds like a step in the right direction. I personally don’t have a problem with the Zephyr name but if this means Ford is one step closer to hooking up a 6-speed manual to this thing, then great. Attention Ford Marketing…. even if a manual version is not popular then at least you’d have something to make an exciting commercial with…that’ll drive sales of all MKZ’s…automatics and otherwise.
By Clemson. February 14th, 2006 at 10:38 pm