REVIEWS AND ROAD TESTS

Convincing

Until very recently, not very many people were willing to bet on Lincoln’s future. For years the corporation had marketed models that handled more like boats than cars. Did it make any special efforts? Some. But Lincoln never really created the impression that it neither wanted to change its image nor wanted to attract a younger clientele.

This was before the Navigator, a dressed-up Ford Expedition and, just maybe, before the LS, a sporty sedan (yes, you read it right). They both invited us to check our prejudices against Lincoln at the showroom door.

Reticent? If so, you should know that the LS rests on a platform that is virtually identical (45% of shared mechanical components claims Lincoln) to the one Jaguar uses for its new S-Type. Not bad at all!Needless to say, Lincoln is trumpeting its LS as the turning point in its history. And just as Lexus did in the beginning, Lincoln has a warning at the outset: "Consumers who opt for the LS are not as heavily influenced by the make’s notoriety" as are the buyers who traditionally choose BMW, Jaguar or Mercedes models.

From an esthetic standpoint, the LS will never win a Nobel prize for originality. Helmut Schrader, who came up with its lines and colours, admits that his styling is fairly conservative (this is the first Lincoln he has designed), but he notes that this model "will age well". Can the same be said of its fake wood inlays?

The driving position is comfortable but a bit more support for thighs and shoulders would come in handy. The dummy pedal is comfortable, and instrumentation is detailed and easy to read, so it ’ s easier to forgive this Lincoln’s unexciting interior presentation and a few ergonomic mistakes (a very high centre armrest, for example). While rear-seat passengers won’t have anything to complain about when it comes to roominess, they may have a hard time cramming their luggage into a trunk that just isn’t deep enough.Like Jaguar, Lincoln proposes two different versions of its sedan: one powered by a V6 engine, the other by a V8. But don’t be fooled into thinking that Jaguar and Lincoln share the exact same mechanical system.

Given the make’s prestige and the price that comes with it, the S-Type features more power than the Lincoln does. How? By using more advanced technological solutions (the induction system, for example), and by "cheating" on the V8’s displacement (Jaguar-designed, the V6 comes from Ford), which happens to be just a tad higher (3996 cc instead of 3950 cc).

But while Jaguar is content with offering a five-speed automatic transmission to power rear wheels, Lincoln proposes a semi-automatic as well (a first for Ford) and a five-speed manual to boot, exclusively available on the V6 model. Consumers haven’t seen a "three-pedal" Lincoln since the 1951 Cosmopolitain!

No doubt about it, driving the LS is a surprising experience. Forget the mushy suspension, questionable road stability and fading brakes all too often associated with Lincoln products. This LS brakes and corners like no other Lincoln ever has. And it boasts strong acceleration, especially with the V8 under its hood. What about the V6? As long as it stays under the 4000 rpm level, it’s fun - but nothing more. On the up side the standard manual transmission that comes with it is easy to handle and its clutching is smooth. But the most remarkable quality of the V6 version is its balance. Weight distribution is almost perfect (51-49) and contributes to make this car very driveable. It also makes cornering problem-free, especially given the diabolical precision of the steering system. And speaking of the latter, it has the decided advantage of not eliminating every single road defect, thus providing optimal driving sensation along with no harmful effects when it comes to comfort. And speaking of comfort: the V6, manual transmission model is the only version with a standard (optional on other models) sport suspension and 17-inch tires. Good news: the Advance-Trac (stability control) and traction control systems, two crucial safety features, are now available on all models.

While the V6 manual combination does have its attractions, according to Lincoln consumers prefer the V8 alternative by far, available solely with an automatic transmission. Although the V8 is heavier and fails to offer the excellent weight distribution the V6 does, it is still very pleasant to drive. And this V8 gets along marvelously well with the semi-automatic transmission, which runs impeccably. To take full advantage of the potential built into the chassis, feel free to check the "Sport package" option (17-inch tires and firmer suspension) and go for the Advance-Trac.

Lincoln has come up with a magnificent sedan that has all it takes to stand up to competitors, some of which are beginning to age, others which are plain dull. Now it has to convince dealers that this model has a lot of potential and more importantly, that it is targeted to attract buyers who are more interested in performance levels than carpet thickness. PROS Superb handling Transmission choices Competitive prices

CONS
Poorly sized trunk
Timid styling

CRASH TEST (five stars indicate the best protection)
Driver: * * * * *
Passenger: * * * *

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