Car Blog

With More Connectivity Features, Advanced Technology and Pristine Sound Reproduction, THX and Lincoln are Defining How Music Should Be Experienced

The THX II Certified Audio system in the new 2011 Lincoln MKX crossover SUV rivals all others with exclusive technology, sound quality and value. Offered as an available feature, the technology-rich THX II Certified system is only $995, a fraction of the price of other premium audio brands.

With most car audio systems, surround sound is restricted to a handful of hard-to-find, DVD-Audio titles. The THX II Certified system, featuring DTS Neural Surround®, lets audiophiles rock-out with immersive 5.1 surround sound from hundreds of radio stations, including many HD Radio(TM) broadcasts. Even MP3s and other stereo music tracks can be up-mixed to surround sound with a push of the button.

Featuring a wide range of connectivity options and advanced technologies, the THX II Certified system puts other luxury automakers to shame. CDs deliver uncompressed music that mirrors the recording studio, and USB-connectivity brings your MP3 player’s digital music library to life–accessible using the exclusive MyLincoln Touch(TM) interface.

And, only Lincoln features a “THX Demo Button,” giving driver and passengers the legendary THX Deep Note(TM) “OoommMMM” cinematic sound–anytime, anywhere. Turn it up. We dare you. Read the rest of this entry »

Lincoln’s new MKZ Hybrid – the most fuel-efficient luxury car in America – will be a standout in the marketplace for another unique distinction when it goes on sale this fall: It will be priced the same as its conventional gas sibling.

“Lincoln is about delivering luxury standard,” said John Felice, general manager, Ford and Lincoln Marketing. “Whether it’s our new MKX with standard MyLincoln Touch(TM) technology or the no-cost choice of a gas or hybrid powertrain with the Lincoln MKZ, we want to give customers premium amenities with unexpected value.”

When the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid goes on sale this fall, it will have an MSRP starting at $35,180, including destination and delivery. The pricing is identical to the 2011 Lincoln MKZ gas model and below the 2010 Lexus HS 250h, the MKZ Hybrid’s nearest competitor.

Lincoln is the first automaker to offer luxury customers a premium hybrid vehicle with an MSRP that matches its conventional gas sibling.

The decision to offer the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and gas models at the same price point is another example of the Lincoln brand’s philosophy of bringing luxury standard to customers. From standout product design, and class-leading technology and powertrains that deliver top performance and fuel efficiency, Lincoln is changing the game in the luxury market. Read the rest of this entry »

The 2011 Lincoln MKX is the newest vehicle in the premium maker’s lineup to offer best-in-class horsepower and torque and the best fuel economy of any luxury crossover vehicle on the market.

The 2011 Lincoln MKX received final fuel economy certification this week, achieving 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, with a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg, topping all competitors, including the Lexus RX350, Cadillac SRX and BMW X5, with not only horsepower but now fuel efficiency as well.

“The new 2011 MKX is the latest vehicle to deliver on Lincoln’s commitment of industry-leading performance and fuel efficiency,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president, Global Product Development. “It offers no compromises with best-in-class fuel economy, horsepower and torque.”

The horsepower of the 2011 Lincoln MKX has increased to 305 – a 15 percent increase compared to the outgoing product – while torque has increased 12 percent to 280 lb.-ft.

“The Lincoln MKX doesn’t sacrifice power to receive its great fuel economy,” Kuzak said. “Our engineers were able to deliver an increase in power and torque in a fashion that reflects the luxurious driving experience that Lincoln is known for.”

Lincoln’s first-ever hybrid – the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid – was recently named the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America, delivering 41 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway. This tops the vehicle’s nearest competitor – the Lexus HS 250h – by 6 mpg.

The 2010 Lincoln MKT with EcoBoost(TM) continues to provide better gas highway fuel economy – 21 mpg – than any other all-wheel-drive vehicle in its class.

For the 2011 MKX, engineers integrated the new 3.7-liter V6 engine, which uses twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) to increase the vehicle’s power and fuel economy. The broadened torque curve allows the intake valve to be advanced, delivering about a 10 percent power increase compared to non-Ti-VCT engines. Variable timing control of both the intake and exhaust camshafts helps extract more energy from each drop of fuel, leading to a 4.5 percent improvement in fuel economy.

The engine also employs a control strategy called aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff to save fuel. This strategy shuts off the engine when the driver doesn’t need engine torque. It uses the momentum from the torque delivered to the transmission to move the vehicle, rather than more fuel.

“The 2011 Lincoln MKX will continue to propel the Lincoln lineup that is already ahead of the curve,” Kuzak said.

The 2011 Lincoln MKX continues to reinforce Ford Motor Company’s record largest increase in fuel economy gains over the past five years, according to the EPA.

A jury of 49 veteran automotive journalists has selected the Ford Fusion Hybrid as the 2010 North American Car of the Year and the Ford Transit Connect as the 2010 North American Truck of the Year.

It was only the third time in 17 years that one automaker has won both awards. Honda won both awards in 2006 and General Motors won both in 2007.

The awards are unique because — instead of being given by a single media outlet — they are given by automotive journalists from the United States and Canada who represent magazines, television, radio, newspapers and web sites.

The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding vehicles of the year based on factors that include innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar.

There were three car finalists: The Ford Fusion Hybrid got 241 points, the Volkswagen Golf/TDI/GTI got 146 and the Buick LaCrosse got 103.

There were three truck finalists: The Transit Connect had 213 points and beat the Chevrolet Equinox with 183 points and the Subaru Outback with 94.

Juror Csaba Csere said, “Though not the first hybrid on the market, or even the second or third, The Fusion Hybrid is simply the best one ever built. In addition to delivering terrific mileage, it looks and drives like a regular car — and a very good one indeed.”

Jim Mateja, of the Chicago Tribune, said, “A U-Haul that fits in your garage. Holds people and soooo much of their stuff — bikes, snowmobiles, lawn mowers, skis, tents, boats, ladders, furniture, you name it. Defines multi-purpose and boasts a reasonable price even when you add side and rear windows and back seat.”

To be eligible, vehicles must be “all-new” or “substantially changed” from the previous model. This year the jury considered more than 50 vehicles and finally focused on 16 cars and 10 trucks.

Michelle Collins, Vice Chairman Automotive at Deloitte LLP, was responsible for counting the ballots, which jurors sent directly to the accounting firm. The winners were kept secret until today at a news conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

At that news conference Ms. Collins handed over the car and truck envelopes to Tony Swan, a member of the awards organizing committee and a senior editor at Car and Driver magazine. Mr. Swan announced the winners.

Last year the North American Car of the Year was the Hyundai Genesis and the North American Truck of the Year was the Ford F-150.

This is the 17th year of the awards, which are funded exclusively by the jurors. During that time:

* Domestic automakers have won North American Car of the Year nine times. Japanese automakers have won three times. European automakers have won four times. A Korean automaker has won once.

* Domestic automakers have won North American Truck of the Year 11 times. Japanese automakers have won four times. European automakers have won twice.

Here are the vehicles on which the jurors voted:

2010 North American Car of the Year nominees:
BMW 335d
Buick LaCrosse
Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon
Chevrolet Camaro
Ford Fusion
Ford Fusion Hybrid
Ford Taurus/Taurus SHO
Honda Insight
Kia Soul
Mazda3/MazdaSpeed3
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Porsche Panamera
Subaru Legacy
Suzuki Kizashi
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Golf/GTI/TDI

2010 North American Truck of the Year nominees:
Acura ZDX
Audi Q5
Cadillac SRX
Chevrolet Equinox
Ford Transit Connect
Honda Accord Crosstour
Land Rover LR4
Lincoln MKT
Subaru Outback
Volvo XC60

More information on the awards — including the names of jurors as well as previous finalists and winners — is available at: www.northamericancaroftheyear.org.

Hagerty Picks Stylish, Sophisticated Collector Cars that Epitomize the Don Draper Lifestyle

Since its premiere in 2007, the popular AMC show “MAD MEN” has renewed an interest in the sophisticated lifestyle of the early 1960s. For professionals of this era, the ultimate sign of success was a new car.

Hagerty, the country’s leading provider of collector car insurance, has put together its picks of the collector cars that the most powerful and influential professionals of the MAD MEN era would have driven.

“Collector cars are a unique way to show off your sense of style and express your personality,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty. “The early ’60s especially were an era when quality products and cutting-edge design still ruled in America. The ten cars on our list are great examples of the understated and sophisticated design style of this period, and their solid value today makes them a smart way to capture the essence of MAD MEN era.”

Below are Hagerty’s picks of “How to Drive like the MAD MEN: Top 10 Cars of the MAD MEN Era.” The leading collectible car price guide, Hagerty’s Cars that Matter, has determined approximately what each vehicle is valued at today.

1. 1963 Buick Riviera ($28,000-$36,100): When Cadillac decided against producing the Riviera, Buick enlisted McCann Erickson ad agency to convince GM brass that the car should be a Buick. GM styling chief Bill Mitchell drew inspiration from Rolls-Royce and Ferrari. Owners knew the value of a powerful, yet beautifully understated car with plenty of room for the mistress and weekend’s luggage. And the iconic 1963 Riviera certainly filled the bill.
2. 1963 Corvette Sting Ray ($61,000-$74,000): The 1963 Corvette was perhaps the last truly elegant Corvette before the muscle car era arrived with all its ducts and scoops. A man could “expect a subtle, extra measure of attention and respect” by arriving in such a potent machine.
3. 1961-63 Ford Thunderbird ($35,000-$45,000): With the 1955 Thunderbird, Ford introduced Americans to the concept of a personal luxury car. By the early sixties, the boys from Dearborn had perfected the notion. Big power, big comfort, “suddenly, you’re in Thunderbird Country.”
4. 1961-63 Lincoln Continental Sedan ($18,000-$24,000): Conceived just before the beginning of the design-by-committee era, Elwood Engel’s magnum opus was the last mass-produced automobile to be designed by a single man. A 1963 print ad showed the Continental, with doors open in welcome. Below, the tagline stated: “For 1963, we have enlarged your private world and provided you with added power.”
5. 1961 Chrysler 300G ($59,000-$67,000): The G’s styling was unabashedly 50′s. But with up to 400 horsepower available and one of the best suspension and brake packages available, the big Chrysler was more than met the eye. Though outwardly traditional, its looks concealed inner fury.
6. 1963 Studebaker Avanti ($23,000-$31,000): Studebaker was among the last of America’s independent automakers. Styled by a team led by famed industrial designer Raymond Loewy, the Avanti was Studebaker’s last gasp. A Hail Mary Pass of a European-style GT, the Avanti was a lasting icon of an era when the fiercely independent were heroes. While Studebaker succumbed to a creeping death, Avanti production continued
into the 1980s.
7. 1962-63 Cadillac Coupe De Ville ($14,000-$20,000): No list of great 1960s cars is complete without a Cadillac. The Coupe De Ville was a neon sign announcing the “arrival” of a top executive. Young businessmen did not want or even yearn for a new Cadillac, they aspired to one.
8. 1962-64 Studebaker Gran Turismo Hawk ($27,000-$32,000): Although Studebaker went out of business in 1966, it wasn’t because their products lacked style. The GT Hawk was fast, elegant, and understated.  Though larger and more staid than its Avanti stable mate, the Hawk was still a bold statement of independence.
9. 1963 Buick Electra 225 ($13,000-$19,000): Though it was built by GM’s “near luxury” division, the Electra 225 carried plenty of prestige.  Four vents on each front fender indicated Buick’s largest available engine and the big 401 cubic-inch V8 provided enough power to make even Cadillac owners think twice. Though not as flashy as the Cadillac, the Buick was grace and style made manifest.
10. 1963 Ford Galaxie XL Convertible ($31,000-$36,000): If the world or even the solar system simply wasn’t big enough, there was the Galaxie.
With a whopping 119″ wheelbase the Galaxie convertible wasn’t a car you wanted to parallel park in Manhattan. Which is why the French invented valet parking. True story, sweetheart.

Source: Hagerty Insurance Agency, Inc.

Thirty-six vehicles and 12 companion models received Best Buy ratings from Consumers Digest out of some-240 total 2010 models.

The ratings, published in CD’s December issue (on sale November 1), span 10 categories: Small Cars, Family Cars, Luxury Cars, Sporty Cars, Pickups, Minivans, Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs, Full-size/Luxury SUVs and Hybrids. The Best Buys–based on behind-the-wheel assessment, safety ratings, ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics, styling and amenities–reflect CD’s view of which 2010 vehicles offer the most value for the money.

Five “Small Cars” received Best Buys: Honda Fit, Kia Soul, Mazda3, Nissan Versa and Toyota Corolla.

Seven “Family Car” Best Buys are: Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Ford Taurus, Honda Accord, Lincoln MKZ, Mercury Milan and Toyota Camry.

Four “Luxury Cars” received Best Buys: Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac CTS, Hyundai Genesis sedan and Lincoln MKS.

Five “Sporty Cars” Best Buys are: Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang, MINI Cooper/Cooper Clubman and Nissan 370Z.

Four “Pickups” and five “Minivans” earned Best Buys: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Dodge Ram 1500, Ford F-150 and GMC Sierra 1500 are the top pickups, and Chrysler’s Town & Country, Dodge’s Grand Caravan, Honda’s Odyssey, Kia’s Sedona and Volkswagen’s Routan are the best minivan values.

Six “Compact SUV” Best Buys include: Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, GMC Terrain, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner and Nissan Rogue.

Five “Midsize SUV” Best Buys include: Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, Ford Flex, GMC Acadia and Mazda CX-7. “Full-size/Luxury SUV” Best Buys include: Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon and Volvo XC60.

Three “Hybrid” Best Buys include: Ford Fusion Hybrid, Mercury Milan Hybrid and Toyota Prius.

“We really feel for the people across the country who are suffering through some tough times financially,” says Randy Weber, CD’s publisher. “We also know that some of them will have to purchase a new vehicle soon, and we hope that they take advantage of the work we have done on their behalf so that they get the most value possible out of their purchase.”

Weber says Consumers Digest’s editors consider automotive “value” to be based on purchase price and ownership costs relative to quality, performance and subjective factors like comfort and design.

Performance characteristics evaluated include starting and acceleration, shifting, steering, handling, braking, ride quality and fuel economy.

Best Buys awarded to U.S. automakers increased by seven for the 2010 model year compared with 2009 models–to 31 from 24 a year ago. Best Buys for vehicles from Asian automakers decreased by eight, to 14 Best Buy models from 22. Seven brands–all U.S.–saw their totals increase. Chevrolet and Ford led the way: Chevy has seven Best Buys for the 2010 model year (up from five for the 2009 model year), and Ford has seven (up from four). Buick, Cadillac, Lincoln and Mercury have an additional Best Buy versus the 2009 model year awards. Mercury has three Best Buys, the others two each..

CD’s Auto Best Buys section includes photos, invoice pricing, standard features and performance traits that support the models’ Best Buy selection in the collective opinion of CD’s veteran automotive editors: Jim Gorzelany has served Consumers Digest readers for 22 years, including reporting on automotive categories, such as hybrids; Kevin Kelly is senior editor of Automotive Design & Production magazine; Jim Mateja writes a weekly Chicago Tribune auto column and has received numerous awards for his auto coverage; Dan Jedlicka has written about autos for 41 years and is a member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury.

“Few purchases are more important, or require more research, than buying a new vehicle,” Weber says. “Our analyses underscore our commitment to ensure that consumers are as satisfied with their auto purchase years after making it as they were on the day they drove off the lot.”

Source: Consumers Digest Communications, LLC