The Lincoln MKS

The Lincoln MKS is the American automaker's latest entrant into the large luxury car market. An all new vehicle for the 2009 model year, the MKS is based closely on the MKS concept car, with some more aggressive design elements filtering in from the dramatic MKR concept.

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The MKS is built on the same basic D3 architecture as the new Ford Taurus, which was in turn derived from a Volvo platform. The overall look is meant to draw on design elements from vehicles as old as the 1941 Lincoln Zephyr, without looking retro.

Ford's management reportedly decided to make changes to the design of the MKS based on positive feedback following the debut of the MKR. Compared to the MKS concept, the taillights appear to have become slightly taller and narrower. The headlights end at a less sharp point than on the concept, but remain true to the design language set out by the show car. Faced with aggressive styling from the likes of Cadillac, this was probably a wise decision.

Power will come from a 3.7 liter engine V6 powerplant that will deliver 272 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. A turbocharged V6 model will arrive a year after the first MKS rolls off the line, delivering V8-rivaling power with less fuel consumption. That engine should offer around 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque.

Pricing for Lincoln MKS starts at less than $38,000, the automaker said. To be built at Ford Motor Company's Chicago Assembly Plant, the Lincoln MKS will begin arriving in Lincoln showrooms next summer. Lincoln hopes to sell 40,000 units annually.

"We're playing to win with the Lincoln MKS. We will do so by offering confident, understated, respectful luxury -- not something that will go out of fashion in a year or two," said Mike Richards, Lincoln General Marketing Manager.