Lincoln Botoxed 2013 MKS and MKT

If there's one luxury brand (or better put, one that aspires to be premium) that has failed to deliver anything remotely close to exciting, that would be Lincoln. In recent years, even Lexus and Acura at some point offered products that have managed to capture the attention of luxury car buyers.

And this is something and that is clearly reflected in Lincoln's weak sales numbers. In the first 10 months of the year, Lincoln sold 70,935 cars in the States (+1.2% from the same period in 2010), whereas GM's Cadillac delivered 124,985 vehicles (+5.6%), Buick 151,779 cars (+19.9%) and Lexus 153,739 units (-16.2%).

Aside from the MKZ sedan (+31.7%) and the MKX crossover (+5.3%), Lincoln's other models saw their numbers plummet this year, including the MKS sedan with 9,824 deliveries from January through October (-18.9%) and the MKT crossover with 4,126 sales in the same period (-33.5% from last year).

At the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Ford's premium brand introduced updated versions of the MKT and the MKS, both of which gain a Botox-like makeover with a denser interpretation of Lincoln's waterfall split grille and some technical enhancements such as a drive control feature and revamped infotainment system, in order to regain customer interest.

But despite the problems, during the LA Show presentation, Derrick Kuzak, Ford Group Vice President reiterated the company's commitment to Lincoln, adding that future Lincolns will be more unique – in other words, not just more luxurious Fords.

"Our vision for Lincoln is simple. World-class luxury vehicles and an exceptional consumer experience to match," said Kuzak.

"This includes more investment and standout next generation products. Designs that are stunning and understated and uniquely Lincoln inside and out. We're also transforming the Lincoln driving experience, to make it refined and engaging, to deliver the responsiveness of a BMW with the comfort of Lexus."

Needless to say, as history has taught us many times, saying it and doing it are two very different things…

Lincoln MKT Crossover 2013

The flagship MKS sedan isn’t the only revamped Lincoln model on display at the 2011 LA Motor Show. The MKT crossover has also received a makeover to bring it in line with the rest of the brand’s offerings.

Like the MKS, the MKT now has an all-new split front grille with more densely placed vertical slats and reshaped bumper.

Max Wolff, Lincoln design director, says: “The effort behind the new look was to change the proportion of the MKT from the front view. We helped make it feel wider and a bit less tall, less vertical. The execution of the new MKT’s grille is a lot more refined an elegant.”

Inside, Lincoln claims that the changes it has made to the three-row interior, which is still available in six- and seven-seat configurations, give it a more luxurious, as well as technologically advanced feel.

Noticeable upgrades include the new instrument panel with a central speedometer flanked by two configurable 4.2-inch LCD screens that are controlled via steering wheel-mounted buttons.

An 8-inch LCD touch screen in the center console enables the driver and front passenger to view, as well as to control, the climate control and the upgraded MyLincoln Touch infotainment system. The latter, apart from its usual functions, can be combined with either the standard 210-Watt audio system of the optional THX II-certified, 700-Watt one with SiriusXM satellite radio.

In the powertrain front, the base 3.7-liter V6 has received a 32HP boost, for a total of 300HP, while the 3.5-liter, 355HP EcoBoost V6 carries on unchanged.

The most important change as far as the MKT mechanical components are concerned is the addition of the Continuously Controlled Damping system on the EcoBoost model.

The system receives data from 46 sources and can make 500 calculations per second, adjusting the suspension’s settings in just 11 milliseconds.

The MKT, which goes on sale in the States in spring 2012, is also available with the Drive Control system that offers three driving modes: Normal, Comfort and Sport. In the Comfort setting, the MKT’s suspension is up to 15% more compliant than the (default) Normal, while selecting the Sport mode stiffens up the dampers by 25-30% for better handling.

2013 Lincoln MKS

For many years now, Ford has been trying to transform its Lincoln brand into a credible contender in the luxury car market, though unlike its Cadillac foe, it just can't seem to get it right.

Set to make its world premiere later today at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show is the refreshed 2013 Lincoln MKS sedan. The first thing that you'll notice on the 2013MY is the reworked split front grille, though as Lincoln points out, every exterior surface from the A-pillar forward is new including the bumper, hood, headlamps and front fenders.

At the back, the 2013 MKS gets a new fascia, LED tail lamps, reshaped exhaust tips and a new decklid design that is said to improve access to the trunk, while the sedan also rolls on newly designed alloy wheels.

“The original MK vehicles were, in some ways, deliberately provocative,” said Max Wolff, Lincoln Design director. “The styling of the new MKS adds both refinement and elegance to the car while visually lowering and widening the front end. The continuous bright surround linking the grille and headlamps is particularly rich and adds something significant to what is already an expressive, balanced design.”

Inside, the cabin sports a new instrument panel and center console, higher quality materials and a revamped version of the MyLincoln Touch infotainment system.

Underneath the skin, the engine line-up stays the same, albeit with some power boosts: the 3.7-liter V6’s output has increased by 26HP to 300HP, while Lincoln claims that the front-wheel drive version returns 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg (+3mpg over this year's model) on the highway.

The 355HP 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 returns 18mpg city and 26mpg highway in the FWD model and 17mpg city and 25mpg highway in the AWD version.

On the hardware front, the revamped MKS gets an upgraded brake system with 13.86- (350 mm) front and 13.58-inch (340 mm) rear discs, as well as standard 19- or optional 20-inch alloys.

Perhaps the most important changes are the recalibrated steering and the addition of the Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) system, which can adjust the suspension’s settings 500 times a second to offer both comfort and sportier handling.

Apart from the CCD, the 2013 MKS also features a torque-vectoring differential as well as the Lincoln Drive Control. This system has two modes, Comfort and Sport, which change steering, throttle response, shifting speed and traction control settings depending on the driver’s preferences.