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More than 8,600 orders have been placed for the 2009 Lincoln MKS, the full-size luxury sedan that doesn’t even arrive in dealerships until this summer – with the high-level “Ultimate Package” accounting for 65 percent of early orders.

“People are very excited about this vehicle because it provides the complete package – a striking exterior design, dynamic performance, advanced safety features and a host of amenities not found on other luxury sedans,” said Pei-Wen Hsu, Lincoln MKS marketing manager.

In addition to vehicle itself, strong early sales of the MKS are linked to a unique marketing and education campaign that has been running full throttle since the vehicle was unveiled at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

“The MKS is an all-new vehicle for the Lincoln brand, and it’s a game changer for us,” said Michael Sprague, Lincoln Mercury group marketing manager.

“We knew we had to go to market in a new way and send a signal to our dealers and customers that we’re doing business differently,” he added.

Breaking tradition, Lincoln announced pricing information and package options at the same time that the MKS debuted at the show, offering customers the opportunity to build and price their ideal vehicle at www.lincoln.com and then immediately place their order at their local dealership. Simultaneously, the team launched an extensive dealer training program, designed to educate sales consultants about the vehicle months ahead of its arrival in showrooms.

“We wanted to provide dealers with plenty of information early on so that they could talk about the product, generate excitement and engage customers,” said Hsu. “Because many lease customers want to compare monthly payments before they decide on a new vehicle, it made sense for us to provide them with detailed pricing and incentives so that they could make an informed decision before the vehicle arrives in dealerships this summer.”

The strategy is working, according to Tom Arthur, sales manager at Long Beach Lincoln Mercury in Long Beach, Calif. He already has taken an “unusual” 30 pre-orders for the MKS. While some of those customers saw the vehicle at the L.A. Auto Show, most of them obtained information at www.lincoln.com.

“The interest in this car has been huge, and people have been finding a lot of information online,” said Arthur. “I think the MKS is going to be big hit for us.”

Billy Vaughn, dealer principal at North Park Lincoln Mercury in San Antonio, Texas, says his customers placed orders for the MKS sight unseen, based on information they received from his educated sales staff as well as the web site.

“All of the customers I’ve talked to have done their homework. They know what’s out there in the marketplace, and they’re at the top of their game,” said Vaughn. “Having materials available and pricing information early on has really helped us keep our customers interested.”

Priced just more than $38,000 including destination, the vehicle is loaded with class-exclusive features and options, such as the industry-exclusive SYNC, Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel Filler System, SecuriCode™ Next-Generation Keypad, a premium THX-certified audio system, 20-inch wheels, heated rear seats and the voice-activated navigation system with SIRIUS Travel Link™. The popular Ultimate Package includes all of the popular technology features.

The Lincoln MKS is powered by a Lincoln-exclusive 3.7-liter V-6 engine mated with a fuel efficient six-speed transmission. The powertrain has been derived from the proven 3.5-liter V-6 found in the Lincoln MKX, which was voted one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines for 2007.

Lincoln MKS Detail & Video

LINCOLN MKX DELIVERS MORE LUXURY, INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY AND STANDARD FEATURES FOR 2008

-Industry-exclusive Innovation. Lincoln Sync™ offers new levels of connection, control, simplicity and personalization for electronic devices such as cell phones and MP3 players.

-Standard Comfort and Convenience. Lincoln MKX now comes with standard heated and cooled front seats, Reverse Sensing System, memory seats and mirrors, and driver and passenger power lumbar.

-Exciting Sight and Sound. Standard SIRIUS® Satellite Radio, available first-in-class THX® II-Certified audio system and voice-activated navigation enhance the driving experience.

-New Limited Edition Package. Includes 20-inch chrome-clad wheels, chrome door handles, fineline Ebony wood accents and premium leather seats in Charcoal Black with Medium Light Stone inserts and piping.

-Monochrome Limited Edition Package. Available only in black, this exclusive package includes the Limited Edition Package plus a monochromatic body color grille.

Lincoln MKX has defined the brand’s presence in the fast-growing premium crossover segment with elegant exterior design, an award-winning interior, and third party recognition for safety, quality, and technology. Lincoln MKX has consistently sold at a pace faster than its key competitors and brought new customers in the Lincoln dealer showroom at an impressive rate. The brand’s first crossover is one part of a product strategy to round out the Lincoln showroom and continues to deliver with new features and equipment for the 2008 model year.

The award-winning Lincoln MKX combines modern Lincoln design with a sporty stance, powerful engine and quiet interior. It also boasts such technological advances as adaptive headlamps that move with the steering wheel, a panoramic glass Vista Roof™, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, 14-speaker THX® II-Certified audio system, and a voice-activated navigation system. The five-passenger luxury CUV is powered by a fuel-efficient 3.5-liter engine and class-leading 6-speed transmission with fully independent suspension. A suite of standard safety features including AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control) and solid unibody construction have helped the Lincoln MKX earn a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The 2008 Lincoln MKX gives customers even more of what they expect from a luxury crossover with more industry-first innovations, a new Monochromatic Limited Edition and a host of new standard features:

-Lincoln Sync™ – An industry-exclusive voice-activated, hands-free, in-car communications and entertainment system. The system, developed in collaboration with Microsoft, fully integrates mobile phones and media players into the vehicle using Bluetooth technology and USB connectivity.

-2008 Limited Edition – Available in White Chocolate Clearcoat Metallic, Vapor Sliver Clearcoat Metallic or Vivid Red Clearcoat Metallic, the Limited Edition includes: Charcoal Black interior with fineline Ebony wood accents; Ebony carpeting and floor mats with Lincoln Star logo; premium leather seating in Charcoal Black with Medium Light Stone inserts and piping; chrome exterior door handles; unique badging; Lincoln Star logos stitched on the first row headrests and all-new 20-inch chrome-clad wheels.

-Monochrome Limited Edition – Available exclusively in Black, the Monochrome Limited Edition includes all the great features of the Limited Edition plus a monochromatic body color grille.

-More standard features. The 2008 MKX adds Lincoln Sync™ and SIRIUS® Satellite Radio to a long list of standard features that include heated and cooled front seats, power lumbar driver and front passenger seats, easy entry driver’s seat, memory driver’s seat and side mirrors, auto-dimming driver’s side mirror and Reverse Sensing System.

For 2008, Lincoln MKX’s interior features even more luxurious color and material combinations with new bright nickel accents, while the available navigation system now features voice-recognition technology.

Additionally, customers can opt for new available 20-inch chrome wheels and choose from three new exterior colors – Vapor Silver Clearcoat Metallic, Dark Ink Blue Clearcoat Metallic and Light Ice Blue Clearcoat Metallic.

Lincoln MKX is manufactured at Ford’s Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada.

Modern Lincoln Design
Lincoln MKX’s confident exterior and luxurious, quiet interior signal a new direction in Lincoln’s modern design.

The high beltline is defined by a stroke of chromed trim that caps broad shoulders, pronounced wheel lips and short overhangs that give Lincoln MKX its wide, athletic stance. A chromed cap on each side-view mirror adds a dramatic finishing touch.

Black rocker panels plant the vehicle to the ground, accentuating the standard 18-inch wheels and tires. For 2008, customers can now choose all-new 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels for an added touch of upscale flair.

Side marker lights cut into the simple, clean fascia and bend around to the side of the vehicle. Chrome-ringed fog lamps integrated into the lower fascia echo the chrome-tipped dual exhausts.

Lincoln Lighting
Distinctive lighting is a hallmark of modern Lincoln design, offering the perfect balance of art and functionality.

An available adaptive front lighting system consists of motor-driven halogen low beams based on steering-wheel input that swivel around curves. When cornering, the headlamps can illuminate a stretch of road up to 36 feet longer than conventional headlights.

Functional elegance is also the theme for Lincoln MKX’s liftgate lighting. The system uses 16 light-emitting diodes (LEDs), eight outboard and eight inboard, flanking the Lincoln star. The result is an edge-to-edge band of illumination across the width of the liftgate.

Quiet, Comfortable Interior
Lincoln’s modern identity is evident in Lincoln MKX’s comfortable, elegant interior that adds new color and material combinations with bright nickel accents and upgraded floor mats for 2008.

Lincoln MKX boasts the quietest Lincoln interior yet. In addition to conventional sound-absorbing techniques such as a thicker dash pad, laminated windshield and thicker side glass, Lincoln MKX blends unique materials for further reduction in road noise. A constrained-layer barrier is fused to the rear wheelhouses, and sound-deadening material is welded behind exterior trim panels.

The interior design is defined by a sweeping instrument panel flowing into a clean, well-organized center stack. Wood and bright nickel accents are carried to the door panels. Interior controls are bathed in Lincoln’s cool-white light for a pleasing nighttime cabin experience.

Removable dividers in the center console let customers adapt storage space for anything from laptop computers to handbags and CDs. The center console also features a concealed power point – for a total of four throughout the interior – and an MP3 audio jack. Phone and MP3 player cords can be neatly organized, and a slot molded into the console provides power-point access.

The interior is surprisingly spacious, defying its sleek exterior shape. Front seats have ten-way power adjustment including power lumbar for both driver and passenger, along with standard heated and cooled features. The second row is sure to make all occupants comfortable with available heated seats, as well as ample headroom and legroom.

In addition, the 60/40-split second row features impressive reclining angles of up to 15 degrees. It also folds in one fluid movement, either by the seat-mounted lever or a unique EasyFold™ remote switch accessible from the liftgate. Lincoln MKX offers 68.7 cubic feet of cargo volume with the rear seats folded.

Vista Roof™ Lets in Mother Nature
As drivers face more congested roads, Lincoln MKX’s available all-glass Vista Roof™ brings stress relief through its unique outward view and open-air freedom.

The Vista Roof™ features a large 27.3-inch by 29.4-inch forward sunroof with a one-touch-open switch for vent and tilt-and-slide operations. Dual power sunshades operate concurrently when the driver wants to block out glare. Meanwhile, the fixed 15.75-inch by 31.3-inch rear moon roof gives rear-seat viewers an outside view, too.

Award Winning Entertainment
The 2008 Lincoln MKX offers the industry’s first THX® II-Certified audio system designed by THX, a California company renowned for its movie theater systems.

Named the ‘Best Audio System’ by CNET.com in the 2006 Car Tech Awards and PC Magazine in their 2007 Digital Drive Awards, the THX II system uses the latest in THX technologies to bring the home theater surround sound experience to the open road. The system uses a 12-channel amplifier to deliver 600 watts of power to a total of 14 speakers, including two subwoofers, strategically placed in the cabin.

The system’s processor takes into consideration bandwidth, peak audio levels and coverage uniformity to deliver a smooth spectral balance and wide dynamic range. Multi-channel equalization and digital signal processing match the speaker placement to the cabin acoustics to assure this level of performance.

With the push of a button, the system can be configured for three specific listening modes – Driver, Front Seats and All Seats – ensuring that all passengers are enjoying optimal sound.

The system also features a fast-loading six-disc changer that reads CDs in normal audio, MP3 compressed or text formats. The AM/FM tuner is compatible with the Radio Data Broadcasting System (RDBS) and displays participating radio station call letters, formats and song titles.

Lincoln MKX also features an integrated MP3-audio input jack and power point conveniently concealed in the center console. Rear passengers can enjoy the available DVD entertainment system with a drop-down 8-inch screen.

Tuned for Refinement and Comfort
Powered by a 3.5-liter DOHC V-6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, Lincoln MKX is Lincoln’s best example yet of effortless driving performance thanks to its wide stance, four-wheel independent suspension and the brand’s well-honed driving DNA.

Lincoln MKX’s unibody construction provides a strong foundation for the four-wheel independent suspension. The MacPherson-strut front suspension is mounted to an isolated subframe that uses hydro-bushings to reduce unwanted steering wheel vibration.

A four-link, independent rear suspension uses stamped steel control blades and monotube shocks for precise suspension tuning. The rear shocks are mounted outboard and behind the wheel center to enhance ride and handling. Lincoln MKX comes standard with four-wheel disc brakes and an anti-lock braking system (ABS).

The available intelligent all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is tuned with an emphasis on luxury performance and confident all-weather driving. The system actively and seamlessly delivers torque to all four wheels, even before wheel slippage occurs. An active on-demand coupler delivers the precise amount of torque needed to the rear wheels. Paired with available traction control, intelligent AWD can transfer torque front-to-rear and side-to-side.

The advanced 6-speed automatic transmission uses a wide 6.04:1 gear ratio, along with multiple clutches for smoother, refined shifts.

Safety Customers Expect
The Lincoln MKX offers a long list of standard safety features designed to help protect occupants in the event of a crash. The body structure has been optimized through the strategic use of high-strength steel, side intrusion beams in the doors, and specially designed energy-absorbing interior door trim.

Other safety advancements include:
AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control). This system can predict a vehicle’s path, using a sensor to measure oversteer and yaw by monitoring the vehicle’s speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When the system senses wheel slip or the loss of traction, it applies braking where needed to keep the vehicle safely on its intended path.

Ford’s Personal Safety System®. This suite of safety features includes dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags, thorax side air bags for front seat occupants, safety belt pre-tensioners, seat weight sensing system for the passenger seat, and crash severity sensing.

Ford’s exclusive Safety Canopy™ side curtain air bags. Designed for both rows, this feature utilizes roll-fold technology to efficiently deploy the air bag when an occupant’s head is resting against the side glass. In the event of a crash, the roll-fold bag will deploy between the occupant’s head and the side of the vehicle.

Ford’s BeltMinder™ safety belt reminder for driver and front passenger. Lincoln MKX also comes equipped with such standard features as child safety locks on the rear doors and LATCH child safety restraint system.

Ford’s Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). This system alerts drivers when tire pressure is low.

Major Features and Options
Standard features include: Lincoln Sync™ communications and entertainment system; Heated and cooled front seats; Four-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); Power locks; Auto-dimming rearview mirror; 4-power points; Remote keyless entry; Power windows with driver and passenger one-touch up/down; Two-speed rear wiper; Privacy glass; Heated, dual power mirrors with memory; 18-inch machined aluminum wheels; Air conditioning; Premium AM/FM stereo/clock/CDx6/MP3 with 6 speakers and SIRIUS® Satellite Radio with 6-month pre-paid subscription; Auxiliary audio input jack; Floor mats; Overhead console; Manual tilt and telescoping steering wheel; Leather wrapped steering with genuine wood accents, speed control and redundant audio controls; AdvanceTrac® with RSC®; Belt-Minder®; Child safety locks; Height adjustable safety belts; LATCH; Personal Safety System®; Reverse Sensing System; SecuriLock® passive anti-theft system; Perimeter anti-theft alarm; Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).

Optional features include: 20-inch chrome-clad wheels; Panoramic Vista Roof™; Roof rack side rails; Heated rear seats; Rear seat DVD entertainment system; THX II-Certified audio system with 14 speakers; Voice-activated, DVD-based navigation system.

Elite Package adds: Voice-activated DVD-based navigation system; Panoramic Vista Roof™; THX II-Certified audio system.

Limited Edition includes: Chrome exterior handles; ‘Limited Edition’ vehicle badge; Charcoal Black interior with fineline Ebony wood; Ebony floor carpet and floor mats with logo; Premium leather seating in Charcoal Black with Medium Light Stone inserts and piping; Stitched Lincoln Star on the first-row headrests; all-new 20-inch chrome-clad wheels.

Monochrome Limited Edition includes: All features of the Limited Edition plus a monochromatic body color grille.

Ultimate Package includes: 18-inch, 8-spoke chrome-clad aluminum wheels; Adaptive headlamps; EasyFold™ second-row remote seat release; Power liftgate; Universal garage door opener; Premium leather seating with contrast piping; Below floor cargo management system.

Class II Trailer Tow/Pre Package includes: Class II receiver hitch; Engine oil cooler; Larger radiator; Upgraded cooling fan; Upgraded battery; Wiring harness with 4-Pin connector.

ALL-NEW FULL-SIZE FLAGSHIP SEDAN TO WIN NEW BUYERS THROUGH DESIGN, FEATURES, VALUE

-The new Lincoln MKS full-size luxury sedan aims to attract new buyers with its timeless design, fuel-efficient powertrain and an unparalleled suite of features and technologies.

-Class-leading convenience features include SYNC™ voice-activated, hands-free in-car communications; Easy Fuel™ capless fuel filling; THX-certified audio; SIRIUS Travel Link™; voice-activated navigation; and a next-generation keyless entry keypad.

-Lincoln-exclusive fuel-efficient 3.7-liter V-6 and all-wheel drive provide smooth driving.

-Lincoln MKS will be the first vehicle to offer Ford’s new gasoline turbo direct injection engine technology – which provides the power and torque of a V-8 engine with the fuel efficiency of a V-6 – less than a year after launch.

-An outstanding value starting below $38,000, Lincoln MKS orders are now being accepted; customers can visit www.lincoln.com to build and price their vehicle.

The all-new 2009 Lincoln MKS full-size luxury sedan debuts today, providing customers understated style, first-of-a-kind convenience features, advanced safety and one of the best values in the luxury market.

Unveiled at the Greater Los Angeles International Auto Show, the new Lincoln flagship is designed to help fuel Lincoln’s growth by attracting new customers.

“Lincoln has reestablished itself as a quality and design leader with award-winning products like the Lincoln MKZ, MKX and Navigator,” says Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company’s president of The Americas. “With the Lincoln MKS, we are raising the bar even higher with unparalleled amenities and performance, and a price that should be irresistible to luxury customers.”

The New Lincoln Flagship: A Strong Contender in the Luxury Sedan Segment
The Lincoln MKS is a full-size luxury sedan aimed at bringing new and younger buyers into the Lincoln fold. Not traditional luxury buyers who shop based on name and price tag alone, Lincoln MKS customers are under 50 and value beautiful modern design, more fuel efficiency and good value.

Pricing for Lincoln MKS starts at less than $38,000, a strategic move aimed at attracting new customers to the brand. Many will be first-time luxury buyers, with a significant number expected to migrate from imports. In fact, up to 60 percent of those buying the luxury sedan are expected to be new to Lincoln.

“We’re playing to win with the Lincoln MKS, especially in California, where more luxury vehicles are sold than anywhere else. 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. “We’re also making an extra effort to reach out to African American and Hispanic buyers who want and deserve luxury in their lives, in part, through new marketing relationships with artists Common and Juanes.”

Juanes, a 12-time Latin Grammy award winning artist, will help introduce SYNC, which is standard on Lincolns and widely available on Ford and Mercury products, to the Hispanic market. Juanes was recognized by Time magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World” for his belief in the possibility of social change through music.

Common, an accomplished musician, children’s author and actor, will represent Lincoln beginning in 2008. The partnership will feature multiple levels of advertising, marketing and promotional activities between Lincoln and Common’s wide-ranging businesses and his community service program. Common is currently appearing with Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington in the Ridley Scott-produced film American Gangster.

Consumers can visit www.lincoln.com to build and price their ideal Lincoln MKS and place their order at their local Lincoln dealer immediately.

To be built at Ford Motor Company’s Chicago Assembly Plant, the Lincoln MKS will begin arriving in Lincoln showrooms next summer.

Loaded with Convenience and Technology: Lincoln MKS offers unprecedented amenities
The Lincoln MKS offers a suite of technologies and features not found on other luxury sedans. They include:

-SYNC, a hands-free, voice-activated hands-free in-car communication and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft. The system fully integrates most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players, providing customers hands-free cell phone and music selection capabilities.

-THX®-certified audio system with 5.1 Surround Sound, SIRIUS Travel Link™ and Voice-Activated Navigation, which provides superior sound quality – plus real time traffic updates, movie listings, radar weather forecasts and even directions to the closest local gas stations with the best prices.

-Lincoln’s Next-Generation Keypad, which uses heat-sensing technology to bring alive the keypad of LED backlit numerals embedded in the driver side B-pillar. The driver enters a five-digit code to unlock the vehicle.

-Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler System, a customer convenience that helps reduce evaporative emissions that create smog and global warming. When fueling is completed, and the nozzle is removed, the system automatically seals shut.

-Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which allows the driver to set the car’s speed and maintain that speed without using the accelerator pedal. The radar-based system also can monitor the vehicle in front (up to 600 feet) and adjust the speed of the Lincoln MKS to keep it a safe distance behind the lead vehicle. Four settings accommodate different driving styles.

-Intelligent Access with Push Button Start, which is a first for Lincoln and allows the driver to enter the Lincoln MKS and start the engine without using a key. Drivers simply carry the special fob as they approach the vehicle, touch the keyless entry pad on the B-Pillar, open the door and with the brake pedal engaged, start the engine by pushing a button.

-Adaptive Headlamps with Automatic High Beams and Standard High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps, which enhance nighttime visibility by illuminating more of the road and reducing glare from oncoming traffic. Sensors monitor vehicle speed and steering wheel input engaging electric motors that pivot the left headlamp up to five degrees and the right headlamp up to 15 degrees to increase the driver’s field of vision. Plus, automatic high beams switch to high intensity when no other vehicles are detected.

-Rain-Sensing Wipers, which are moisture-activated and programmable.

-Forward Sensing System, which determines how close front objects are while parking.
Rearview Camera System, which is mounted beneath the Lincoln Star on the decklid and activated when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a view of what’s behind the vehicle. The system works in conjunction with the vehicle’s reverse sensing system and uses the navigation screen as a display.