Panasonic Automotive Provides SYNC® 3 Communications and Entertainment System along with Li-ion Battery for 2017 Lincoln MKZ

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Jan 05, 2016, 01:46 ET

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic Automotive will showcase some of its most advanced technology on the new 2017 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid equipped with lithium-ion battery technology and, for the first time, SYNC® 3 at CES 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 2017 MKZ has a new face brought to life by its new Lincoln signature grille. This new expression of luxury elevates elements of design, performance and technology to create a compelling entry in the mid-size luxury market, and one of only a few in the segment offering a hybrid option.

The 2017 MKZ was designed to appeal to those who are looking for something different in the luxury market. "Our customers are looking for three attributes in a luxury midsize sedan – a beautiful design that is crafted with attention to detail, a vehicle with impressive power that makes it a pleasure to drive, and technologies that ease their everyday experience, like voice activation, active park assist and more," said Kumar Galhotra, president of Lincoln. "The new 2017 Lincoln MKZ elevates all of these attributes."

Panasonic Automotive, the largest provider of both infotainment systems and automotive battery technology in the world today, teamed with Lincoln to debut Panasonic's leading technology in both of these key product lines at CES on the 2017 Lincoln MKZ. "We have been showcasing at CES since the first show in 1967, and today it continues to be a key launch pad for introducing our latest automotive technological advancements to consumers," said Scott Kirchner, CTO, Panasonic Automotive.

SYNC 3

The new 2017 MKZ features the next generation of in-vehicle connectivity for Lincoln with SYNC 3 infotainment, developed in collaboration with Panasonic, featuring improved user responsiveness, enhanced voice recognition, hands-free calling, and capacitive touch screen with swipe capability.

Panasonic Automotive assisted with software and hardware design, development and implementation for SYNC 3 – a fast, easy-to-use system with enhanced response to driver commands that was first introduced on Ford vehicles at the 2015 CES show. The 2017 Lincoln MKZ is the latest Lincoln model to debut the next generation SYNC 3.

"Luxury consumers have high expectations that their infotainment systems will provide an experience that is as responsive and elegant as their mobile devices," said Tom Gebhardt, president, Panasonic Automotive. "Despite the fact that vehicles are infinitely more complicated than tablets and smartphone, with Panasonic's history in both consumer electronics and automotive, we have been able to expertly marry the two worlds and create a vehicle experience that is smart and sophisticated."

With the base operating system built on automotive grade software platform technologies, SYNC 3, Lincoln's new communications and entertainment system, features faster performance, more conversational voice recognition, a more intuitive smartphone-like touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface to help drivers control their smartphone on the road.

Panasonic Automotive is among the very few auto suppliers who have full end-to-end software and hardware development and integration capability – one of the key attributes that allows for a well-designed system.

As a holder of many patents for infotainment systems and related technology," Panasonic Automotive holds high JD Power rankings with other infotainment platforms they've produced, including many versions of Chevrolet's MyLink®, Buick's Intellilink® and Chrysler's Uconnect®.

Li-ion Battery

Effortless performance is enabled by the new available Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter GTDI V6 engine, which creates a quiet, powerful ride. The available hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.0L I-4 Atkinson-cycle engine with Panasonic's lithium-ion battery technology.

Panasonic is the largest supplier of lithium ion batteries for automotive use in the world, providing auto manufacturers the necessary range of choices to match the technology to their platforms, from small cars to luxury vehicles.

"To stay on the leading edge of meeting our OEM customers' needs, Panasonic continues to make large investments in facilities and technologies for the development of advanced battery chemistries and low cost, high quality manufacturing processes," added Gebhardt. "The key to success is always going to be finding ways to drive down costs while increasing quality. It's a combination we have spent decades perfecting."

The 2017 MKZ offers a suite of intuitive driver assist technologies including available adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, auto hold that keeps the car at a complete stop without the driver having to press and hold the brake, and enhanced park assist, to name a few.

The 2017 Lincoln MKZ will be available for purchase in the summer 2016.

About The Lincoln Motor Company
The Lincoln Motor Company is the luxury automotive brand of Ford Motor Company, committed to creating compelling vehicles with an exceptional ownership experience to match. For more information about The Lincoln Motor Company, please visit www.media.lincoln.com or www.lincoln.com. Follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/lincoln.

About Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America
Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America is a division company of Panasonic Corporation of North America and a leading global supplier of automotive infotainment and connectivity system solutions. Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America acts as the North American affiliate of Panasonic Corp.'s Automotive & Industrial Systems Company, which coordinates global automotive and industrial systems and components operations. Panasonic Automotive is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia, and with sales, marketing and engineering operations in Farmington Hills, Mich. For more information on Panasonic Automotive, please visit: http://us.panasonic.com/automotive.

About Panasonic Corporation and Panasonic Corporation of North America
Panasonic Corporation of North America provides a broad line of digital and other electronics products and solutions for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. In Interbrand's 2014 annual "Best Global Green Brands" report, Panasonic ranked number five overall and the top electronics brand in the report. As part of continuing sustainability efforts, Panasonic Corporation of North America relocated its headquarters to a new facility, adjacent to Newark Penn Station in Newark, NJ. It is the first newly constructed office tower in Newark to earn both LEED Platinum and Gold certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council. Learn more about Panasonic at us.panasonic.com/news.

Panasonic is the registered trademark of Panasonic Corporation. Any other trade and/or service marks used herein are the property of their respective owners.

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