Smoothly redesigned

The smooth handling and response of the new Lincoln MKZ offers drivers an excellent first impression of a brand determined to attract a new wave of admirers.

In the fiercely competitive world of luxury cars, the Ford Motor Company’s Lincoln brand, according to the New York Times, had long been stuck in the slow lane, with stodgy models, older buyers and a distinct lack of pizazz.

But that all changed by establishing the Lincoln Motor Company as a boutique luxury line known for its personalised service and the successful comeback effort started with the redesigned midsize MKZ.

The latest model has had significant interior and exterior revamps to reflect the tech-savvy age. And, its wide grille on the front accentuates the sleek lines on the bonnet and gives the car a more streamlined, aerodynamic look compared to similar saloons.

The interior is where this model really shines. The beige and grey colour system blends perfectly and is complemented by the luxury leather panelling and dashboard. Impressive chrome elements such as a touch-control volume slider, adds a touch of class.

It is clear from the moment you climb into the car that it has been designed to make things as comfortable and easy-to-use as possible. Not only are the seats memory-adjustable, but they are air-conditioned. With this feature, there should be no more uncomfortably sticky experiences with leather seats after returning to your car on a summer’s day.

The interior is dominated by a large centre stack which houses everything you need. A large LCD display gives you touch-control access to a wide variety of features, such as radio, CD, USB, SD card, mobile connectivity, Bluetooth, climate control and navigation, all powered by Microsoft’s SYNC with MyLincoln Touch.

Particularly impressive is how a screen with so many options feels so intuitive and user-friendly. Despite not having a manual or instructions to go by, I found myself flicking through the options and adjusting my in-car music preferences with no troubles.

Safety is an essential tool for any manufacturer, but Lincoln appears to be at the forefront of innovation when it comes to this model. The MKZ incorporates a Lane Keeping System, containing advanced driving aids to prevent tired or distracted drivers from drifting across the highway.

Furthermore, blindspot indicators on the wing mirrors flash brightly, while a mono-vision camera integrated into the rearview mirror can read lane markers to keep you on the right track. A rear camera and parking assist button also prevents any mishaps when trying to squeeze into a space.

Easy accessibility is the name of the game with the MKZ, emphasised by the arrangement of options available on the smart, leather steering wheel.
 
The mounted controls include access to your phone, volume, cruise control and navigation without having to take your hands off the wheel, although one misplaced sticker labelled ‘press here for navigation’ resulted in a sharp blast on the horn which almost knocked a startled fellow off his bicycle!

This model is quirky in that it has no gearstick at all, but rather has the driving mode buttons on the centre stack. However, the gearbox is tiptronic so if you want to feel more involved, you can use the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel.

Under the bonnet, a 3.7-litre V6 engine gives the MKZ much more oomph than the previous model while still improving fuel economy by approximately five per cent.

While admittedly this model is not the fastest out of the blocks when it comes to highway driving, city driving is where it comes into its own element. The cornering is extremely smooth and the handling exceptional and responsive to even the slightest inputs, even at high speeds.

If you are looking for a luxury, tech-savvy model with a wide variety of features, then the MKZ may be just what you are looking for with a starting price of BD18,000.

For more details, visit Almoayyed Motors’ showroom in Sitra or call 17737373.