Lincolns have always been advertised as cosmopolitan, in a business suit - and now, sometimes an athletic suit.
This year's addition of the Mark LT pickup revives a vintage nameplate and applies jewel-tone makeup fit for a night at the theater or multiplex.
That's a good transition for a pickup that comes from the country origins of the Ford F-150. But because the F-150 is so well done, Lincoln just gilds the filly.
This is Lincoln's second run at offering a pickup. The 2001 Lincoln Blackwood was a showcase of style at $50,000-plus, which was about $10,000 too much.
Offered only in black with four seats, two-wheel drive and a small bed that was more like a trunk, the Blackwood was too much and too little at the same time. Sales ebbed for a year before it was discontinued - then sales took off again as spectators fished for something unique.
It was all knowledge gained for the Mark LT.
The Lincoln pickup builds on the foundation of the F-150 Super Crew with seats for five, a split folding rear bench, two- or four-wheel drive, a 300-horsepower, 5.4-liter V-8 and a usable 5.5-foot box.
It's a robust cruiser with adequate acceleration and fuel economy of 14 mpg city and 18 highway, on 87 octane.
The exterior is large and in charge, heavy on chrome. The whole package gets noticed on the road.
The cabin is full-figured and reasonably soundproofed with plenty of head and shoulder room. Compared to Navigator, the Mark has 2.7 inches more back seat leg room and 2.5 inches more shoulder room.
Front bucket seats are separated by a wide console and the floor shifter, something different among full-size pickups.
Interiors are either "pebble with light parchment" seats or "black with dove gray seats," with a fascia of ebony wood on the center stack.
The leather seats have French-styled pleating and contrasting piping. Soft leather dresses up the top of the instrument cluster, center console, and even the steering wheel is leather-stitched - not glossy wood.
The simplicity of the Mark LT is an asset. It has no annoying electronic gimmicks that dazzle but confuse.
However, a luxury-class shopper also won't find such extras as keyless starting, electroluminescent gauges or lighted needles, extra soundproofing or a navigation system. Stay tuned, Lincoln says.
And dealers offer upgrades for 20- to 22-inch tires and wheels, navigation systems, satellite radio, cargo covers (hard or soft) and bedliners.
The F-150 gets a 5-star front impact crash rating from NHTSA, which should carry over for the Mark. Dual-stage front air bags are standard, but there are no options for side bags or curtain air bags, which aren't in high demand in pickups, though they are in high demand among luxury shoppers.
The side mirrors (heated) with integrated turn signals are a smart idea (thank you, Navigator) as are options for power-adjustable pedals, a power sliding rear window and the reverse sensing system, which alerts to the nearness of a vehicle or person.
A two-wheel drive Mark starts at $39,995, including the $795 destination charge. The 4WD is $43,550. And that also includes a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty and the higher customer satisfaction ratings at the Lincoln Mercury dealership versus Ford.
The test truck, with options, was $43,645, which included a chrome wheel upgrade, moonroof, power-adjustable pedals and running boards.
That compares with the topline F-150 King Ranch model at $37,440, which is also lavishly equipped, but without access to some of the options available for the Lincoln.
The Cadillac Escalade EXT lists for $54,185 and comes with a 345-hp, 6.0-liter V-8 and all-wheel drive. And just for fun, the 2006 Navigator has a starting price of $51,320 for the base model and $54,185 for the Ultimate.
The Mark LT has been on sale since December, and monthly sales have built from a steady 550 to nearly 700, which isn't too far behind its only competitor, the Escalade EXT.
Lincoln is pleased with the progress, but admits it needs to get the vehicle to about 1,000 sales a month "for us to be happy," said spokeswoman Sara Tatchio.
Mark LT is a niche vehicle for somebody who wants a pickup, but wants to look good doing it, Tatchio said.
"It's a guy market mostly, but the significant other will say, 'Hmmm, I could look good in this vehicle, too,'" she said.
The differences between the Lincoln and the F-150 are mostly style and design. "But we plan on adding the bells and whistles (of a luxury vehicle)," Tatchio said.
"The person who goes into a Lincoln Mercury dealership is not the person who goes into a Ford dealership," she said. "Mercury and Lincoln customers want something a little different. The styling for them is primarily what makes it different."
Next up for Lincoln will be the Zephyr. The automaker's first entry-level sedan in modern history goes on sale in the fall. The all-new Aviator, a car-based or so-called crossover SUV, follows next year. With two more sedans after that.
Mark LT is a teaser of the division's walk forward, Tatchio said: "We realize the work we need to do on Lincoln."
LOTUS 'CIRCUIT CAR'
Lotus Cars will build a lightweight, open-topped variation of the aluminum-chassis Elise for track day and club racing events.
The Lotus "Circuit Car," weighing between 1,100 and 1,200 pounds, uses the standard 190-horsepower, 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine that will make the car capable of zero-to-60 mph in less than four seconds.
A supercharger option would give a 0-100 time of nine seconds. Aerodynamic composite body panels add substantial downforce.
Production of about 100 units a year at the company's plant in Hethel, England, is scheduled to begin in December. Pricing has not yet been determined.
2006 Lincoln Mark LT
Body style: 5-passenger, four-door pickup with 5.5-foot box
Drive system: 2- or 4-wheel drive
Engine: 5.4 liter, SOHC Triton V-8 with 3 valves per cylinder
Horsepower: 300 at 5,000 rpm
Torque: 365 foot-pounds at 3,750 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed automatic overdrive
EPA estimated fuel mileage: 14 mpg city, 18 highway
Fuel tank: 30 gallons; 87 octane
FEATURES
Standard equipment: Remote locking with door keypad, ebony wood trim, leather upholstery and leather-wrapped steering wheel, power (heated) mirrors with turn signals, auto-dimming rearview mirror, integrated garage-gate opener, compass and outside temperature display, electric temperature control, overhead rail storage system, fog lights, aluminum wheels, 6 disc CD with MP3 audio system, 60/40-split folding back seat with armrest
Safety equipment: Dual-stage front air bags, 4-wheel ABS and electronic brake force distribution
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 139 inches
Length: 223.8 inches
Front head/leg/shoulder room: 40.1/41.3/65.8 inches
Rear head/leg/shoulder room: 39.6/39/65.8 inches
Curb weight: 5,370 pounds (4WD, 5,677)
Cargo capacity: 15.7 cubic feet
Payload: 1,620 pounds
Tow capacity: 8,900 pounds
CHASSIS
Suspension: Front: Coil-over-shock, long-spindle double wishbone independent, cast aluminum lower control arm; rear: Hotchkiss-type non-independent live, leaf springs and outboard shock absorbers
Steering: Power rack-and-pinion; turning circle, 46 feet
Brakes: 4-wheel vented discs; 13-inch front, 13.7 rear
Tires and wheels: P265/60R 18-inch on 7-spoke aluminum wheels; optional, 8-spoke chromed
PRICING
Base price: $39,995, including $795 destination charge; price as tested, $43,645
Options on test vehicle: 3.73 ratio limited slip axle ($300), power-adjustable pedals ($120), platform running boards ($250), power moonroof ($995), power sliding rear window ($250), tow package ($350), bed extender ($195), 18-inch chrome wheel upgrade ($695), chrome box rail bars ($250), reverse sensing system ($245).
Waranty: Basic and powertrain, 4 years/50,000 miles
Where assembled: Dearborn, Mich.
Coupe competition: Cadillac Escalade EXT; GMC Denali
PLUSES: Bulletproof beautification; Lincoln warranty.
MINUSES: Waiting for more luxury-class enhancements.
Mark Maynard is driving in cyberspace at mark.maynard@uniontrib.com
© Copley News Service
