Lincoln All-Wheel Drive Combines Luxury With Year-Round Driving Confidence

DEARBORN, Mich., April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --  

• Complete Lincoln family of luxury cars and crossovers available with all-wheel drive, combining all-weather capability with year-round agility and confidence

• Confident handling and acceleration provide peace of mind for safely negotiating many types of driving situations and conditions

• Significant numbers of Lincoln consumers are choosing optional all-wheel drive

All-wheel drive is a luxury feature that many buyers of premium automobiles demand in their vehicles for maximum mobility. This is especially true in northern states where colder climates naturally lead to more snow, ice, and generally inclement road conditions.  Lincoln customers can choose the option of all-wheel drive on all of its models, giving them the added confidence and stability that this technology brings.  

In fact, all-wheel drive offers safety and handling advantages in all seasons. Lincoln's all-wheel drive option allows drivers to accelerate and corner decisively and confidently with power to all four wheels, regardless of road surface and  weather conditions.  

"One of the greatest benefits of luxury is choice," said C.J. O'Donnell, Group Marketing Manager for Lincoln.  "That is why Lincoln customers are able to equip any of our cars and crossovers with an advanced all-wheel drive system."

All five Lincoln models offer the convenience of all-wheel drive as an option, but customers of Lincoln's crossover and SUV models are more likely to choose this technology.

So far in 2011, 72 percent of Lincoln MKT three-row crossover customers and 62 percent of MKX two-row crossover buyers have opted for all-wheel drive. This compares to 46 percent of MKS and 25 percent of MKZ sedan customers.  The truck-based Lincoln Navigator full-size SUV is built with all-wheel drive no less than 62 percent of the time.

The Lincoln MKS, MKT and MKZ all share a common all-wheel drive system to ensure the Lincoln DNA of luxurious ride and precise handling shines throughout the lineup.

All-wheel drive is standard on the MKS EcoBoost™ and MKT EcoBoost, proactively distributing torque to the wheels to allow performance-minded customers to take advantage of the power of the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine's 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque.

The sophisticated AWD system fitted to MKS, MKT, and MKZ is fully automatic, using an advanced array of hardware and controls to efficiently distribute torque between front and rear wheels as needed.  The Navigator uses unique truck-based hardware that also provides a luxurious experience.

The new MKX 2-row crossover, launched last summer, takes the AWD system to another level with even better handling attributes than the outgoing product with new controls specifically developed for improved cornering.

"We're seeing the number of customers choosing all-wheel drive increasing steadily as drivers appreciate the benefits," says O'Donnell. "More than half of our crossover customers are enjoying the reassurance that all-wheel drive delivers, such that once they have experienced it, they don't want to give it up.

"We see all-wheel drive as a core technology option for the entire Lincoln line-up, both today and for the future."

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 164,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Lincoln