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Car Review 2006 Lincoln Zephyr

Lincoln has hit a homerun with this car. Its all you would expect in a well done entry level luxury car. Iam really impressed with the styling and how there is a hint of Lexus in the taillights and a hint of BMW in the headlights. Hats off to the guys at Lincoln !!I, unlike some people, have actually driven the car and can say Iam very impressed with the cars performance and ride.


There is no doubt that this will be my next car and I will gladly take one over those silly looking Cadilacs !!

The Zephyr is both fun and comfortable to drive. The fit and finish are excellent, most interior materials are first rate. The THX certified sound system is a must have!

News

Zephyr gets a new name for 2007: MKZ, which Lincoln hopes you pronounce "Mark Z." Marketers want to emphasize the Lincoln brand over individual model names, which why "MK" titles will be spreading across the entire lineup. More significant is a new 3.5-liter V6 with around 250 hp to replace Zephyrs 3.0 unit. Optional all-wheel drive is also expected for the MKZ, perhaps during model-year 07, certainly by 08.

New for 2006

The all-new 2006 Lincoln Zephyr is powered by a 221-horsepower Duratec 30 3.0-liter V6 with electronic throttle control, mated to an electronically-controlled 6-speed automatic transmission that work together for seamless shifts. The 2006 Lincoln Zephyr is designed for comfort and offers more than three feet of legroom for rear-seat passengers. The instrument panel features a horizontal band of contrasting trim in aluminum, aluminum with a dark finish, dark Ebony wood or light Maple, and features white electro-luminescent gauges with white interior lighting which uses white LEDs to backlight controls and switches.

Interior Design and Special Features

The Zephyrs upscale interior offers an effective blend of premium materials and traditional design elements. The look is clearly Lincoln, which should satisfy those with traditional tastes. Satin aluminum-color trim is standard, along with a choice of either dark ebony or light maple wood accents. A DVD-based navigation system is available, along with a THX II-certified audio system with 14 speakers. Base and optional audio systems are MP3-capable, and the split-folding rear seat, along with a 15.8-cubic-foot trunk, adds to the Zephyrs utility. Most buyers will find the Lincoln Zephyr suitably roomy with ample head-, shoulder and legroom for adults to ride comfortably in the front or back.

Safety Features

Standard safety features include front-seat side airbags and head-protecting side-curtain airbags.

The heavy hood must be held open with an old-fashioned prop rod, instead of modern hydraulic struts, if owners want to, say, add engine oil. Fluid filler areas can be reached fairly easily and are located around a large plastic engine cover.

There are relatively few options. They include a new $2,495 DVD navigation system, $1,200 power sunroof, $495 premium perforated leather/cooled front seats, $995 THX premium sound system and powerful $495 Xenon headlights. Chrome alloy wheels are $895.

The Fusion and Milan are nicely tailored for their markets, and the same can be said for the upscale Zephyr.

Powertrains and Performance

The front-wheel-drive Lincoln Zephyr comes with a 221-hp, 3.0-liter V6 mated to a standard six-speed automatic transmission. This transmission shifts well enough, but we wish it had a true manual-shift mode instead of just two forward-gear gates ("D" and "L").

Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options

The midsize Lincoln Zephyr sedan comes in one basic trim level. Standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seating, wood trim, an MP3-compatible six-speaker audio system with an in-dash CD changer, 10-way power-adjustable front seats with driver memory, a split-folding rear seat, an analog clock, cruise control, full power accessories and keyless entry. Options on the Lincoln car include a DVD-based navigation system, power moonroof, HID headlamps and ventilated seats. A unique THX-II audio system is also available that features a 600-watt amplifier driving 14 speakers.

Driving Impressions

On the road, the Lincoln Zephyr behaves very much as a Lincoln should. A fully independent suspension accentuates ride quality over handling, resulting in road imperfections being seen but not felt. Interior noise levels are no louder than a whisper even at highway speeds. The velvety ride quality is on par with that of the Lexus ES 330.

Power from the standard 220-hp 3.0-liter V6 should be good enough for most drivers, although it remains between 35 to 50 horsepower shy of the Acura TL, Infiniti G35 and Cadillac CTS 3.6. The 3.0-liter engine, which Ford calls the Duratec V6, could be smoother and quieter under strong acceleration. Zephyr is only available with front-wheel-drive, and as such is the only Lincoln that does not have rear- or all-wheel drive.

The standard six-speed automatic delivers smooth, unnoticeable shifts. However, the transmission does not offer a manual shift mode, as do most of the other offerings in the near-luxury segment, not to mention the Mazda6 on which its based.

The powertrain delivers decent fuel efficiency, however, thanks in no small part to the six-speed automatics tall top gear. The Zephyrs claimed 20 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway compares favorably within its competitive set, especially to its more powerful competition.
Handling, however, suffers as a result of Zephyrs emphasis on ironing out all the bumps. In terms of sportiness, the front-wheel-drive Zephyr simply cannot compete with the rear-wheel-drive Cadillac CTS or the rear-wheel-drive BMW 3 Series or the all-wheel-drive Audi A4. The Zephyrs ride and handling mix is more comparable to that of the Buick LaCrosse, Toyota Avalon, and Lexus ES 330. Specifically, the springs are quite soft, allowing for considerable body roll (lean) in turns. The engine-speed-sensitive, variable-assist power steering tends to be a bit overboosted at most speeds. The turning circle is unimpressive at 40.0 feet, making parking lot maneuvers particularly cumbersome.

The Zephyr comes with four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake-force distribution. During our test, they proved to be decent, if not world class. The pedal was relatively uncommunicative and stops were accompanied by considerable brake dive.
Traction control is offered, but stability control is not. This is surprising, since most everything in this class (as well as many that cost far less) come with this safety feature. Also notably absent from the options list is a reverse sensing system.

Large Trunk

The trunk is large, but has a rather high opening. Curiously, it has no interior pull-down feature to prevent hands from getting dirty on the outside of it.

The 60/40 split rear seatbacks have trunk releases to prevent thieves from gaining entry to the trunk from the back seat. The seatbacks flip forward to enlarge the cargo area, but dont sit entirely flat when folded forward.

The Zephyr is well equipped, with all sorts of power features and such items as cruise control, remote keyless entry, an AM/FM radio with in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, a classy analog dashboard clock and heated power outside mirrors.

MSRP Price $28,995
Invoice Price $26,711

Favorite Features

Body style and tail lights and of course the cooled seats.

Overall Review

The car is a winner. Price? Very reasonable. Great styling. And the better gas mileage will be a big plus. Lots of fun toys.