First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost

Story and photos by John LeBlanc Whether you're a pregnant elephant or a Lincoln dealer starved for new product, 22 months is a long gestation period to wait for your new baby. But that's about how long it's been from when Ford's luxury brand announced its flagship MKS sedan would get one of the company's much-ballyhooed EcoBoost engines, to when the car finally goes on sale later this summer. While other large luxury sedans like the Cadillac STS, Infiniti M, Lexus GS and Volvo S80 offer both six- and eight-cylinders under the hood, Lincoln figures it has such rivals covered – and then some – with its new 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 and the promise of V8 power with V6 fuel economy (see accompanying article). Starting at $47,399, the five-passenger 2010 MKS sedan will still be available with the more pedestrian 273-hp 3.7-litre V6, producing 270 lb.-ft. of torque, in both front- and all-wheel-drive versions. For $52,999, though, you can have in your MKS one of the first applications of Ford's new family of twin-turbocharged, direct-injected EcoBoost mills, plus standard AWD, a subtle lip spoiler at the back, darker headlights, a chin spoiler and larger 19-inch wheels and tires included in the engine upgrade price. With near identical fuel economy numbers as the MKS's regular V6 (U.S. estimates of 13.8 L/100 km in the city or 20.4 miles per Imperial gallon; 9.9 L/100 km or 28.8 m.p.g. on the highway), the 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 pumps out a healthy 355 hp and 350 lb.-ft. across a broad range – from 1500 to 5250 r.p.m. In one check of the option sheet, the 2010 MKS with EcoBoost (like its new showroom buddy, the 2010 MKT crossover) moves to the head of its class in power ratings, power-to-weight-ratio and fuel economy. Only the $53,900 Lexus GS 350 AWD comes close in price and fuel mileage (15.7 L/100 km in the city or 17.9 m.p.g.; 10.7 L/100 km or 26.4 m.p.g. on the highway) to the Lincoln. Even at that, with only 303 hp and 274 lb.-ft., it lags behind the Lincoln in the go department. And as we discovered in our initial drive of the 2010 MKS with EcoBoost, the driving experience is more than just a spectacular spec sheet. As a "Florida or Bust!" highway machine, there's little to complain about with the updated '10 MKS. Its newfound under-the-hood juice will have you crowing, "I didn't have to get a V8!" Its interior, meanwhile, is roomy, with a huge trunk that's just waiting for a Sopranos movie to finally get the green light. Its ride – now helped by a new front suspension cradle and further chassis stiffening over the 2009 model – has been tuned for comfort, but without too much wallow or float. Its engine response is almost diesel-like in its immediate urgency, while shifts from the MKS with EcoBoost's upgraded six-speed autobox are velvety smooth and potato chip crisp. During a brief drive of a pre-production '10 MKS with the optional EcoBoost V6 at Ford's Michigan proving grounds, we got the big Lincoln up to its 220 km/h cutoff with almost too much ease. Even at those elevated speeds, the Lincoln was coffin quiet, feeling secure and planted on the banked oval. In a straight line shootout, the V6 Lincoln can easily hold its own against its V8 competition. The only thing missing from its EcoBoost V6 was that nostalgic, low-idle V8 exhaust burble. But don't mistake this new hot rod Lincoln for a sports sedan. Once into a corner at speed, the '10 MKS never felt comfortable from behind the wheel. Its AWD system was designed to understeer first, which it did. But without warning, the back end would unsettle and the MKS would oversteer. Back off 20 per cent and the Lincoln is quite a capable road car. It just won't set your driving enthusiast's heart aflutter on a challenging back road like the Caddy or Infiniti's M. Ford brought a rear-drive Cadillac STS along for comparison. Its V8 drivetrain was not nearly as quiet or refined as the Lincoln's EcoBoost V6. But the Caddy was much more fluid stringing corners together, turning in sharper and feeling better balanced. The MKS also won't garner much praise from enthusiasts with its soft-feeling brake pedal, unsupportive front seats and steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters that were not intuitive to use. At least the new mill is a blast. And frugal, too. For the MKS's targeted audience, the addition of the no-compromise EcoBoost V6 for 2010 gives Lincoln the true flagship the company should have debuted almost two years ago. Better late than never. 2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost

PRICE: (base) $52,999

ENGINE: 3.5 L twin-turbo V6

POWER/TORQUE: 355 hp/350 lb.-ft.

FUEL ECONOMY: City 13.8 L/100 km (20.4 miles per Imp. gallon), hwy. 9.9 L (28.8 mpg)

COMPETITION: Cadillac STS, Lexus GS, Volvo S80

WHAT'S BEST: V8 performance with V6 economy, roomy inside quiet and refined highway ride

WHAT'S WORST: Unsettling at its handling limit, mushy brakes

WHAT'S INTERESTING: By 2013, Ford says more than 90 per cent of its North American lineup will be available with EcoBoost

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