The Lincoln MKZ is a mid-size luxury, four-door, five-passenger, front- or all-wheel drive sedan manufactured by Ford and marketed by its Lincoln brand across two generations in North America and China (2015-2020). As a badge engineered variant of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, the MKZ was available with either gasoline or gasoline-electric hybrid powertrains.
Both generations were manufactured at Ford's Mexican Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly plant, with production commencing in August 2005. The first generation (2006-2012) was marketed for MY 2006 as the Lincoln Zephyr and subsequently as the MKZ— with a mid-cycle refresh for MY 2010 and the MKZ Hybrid, Lincoln's first, introduced for MY2011. Lincoln marketed the second generation MKZ in gasoline and hybrid configurations for MY 2013–2020, with a mid-cycle refresh for MY 2017.
Production and marketing ended with MY 2020.[2][3]
Lincoln presented the 2006 Zephyr in concept form at the 2004 New York International Auto Show. The front featured Lincoln's signature waterfall grille and quad projector beam headlights (HID headlights were available). Chrome trim extended along the Zephyr's beltline while the car's rear fascia featured LED taillights and dual chrome exhaust tips. All Zephyrs featured low-profile tires on 17x7.5-inch wheels with painted aluminum versions standard and chrome versions optional.
Lincoln introduced the Zephyr in the fall of 2005 for model year 2006, using Ford's CD3 platform, as a rebadged variant of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan, and shared with the Mazda 6. Lincoln had previously used the Zephyr name in the late 1930s for the smaller Lincoln-Zephyr line of mid-size vehicles. The "Zephyr" name had also previously been used by Mercury during the late 1970s and early 1980s, for several vehicles built on the Fox Platform.
The Zephyr's powertrain was a 3.0L DOHCDuratecV6 with an Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission; as was optional on the Fusion and Milan. The instrument panel was unique to the Lincoln, along with equipment details. The 2006 Zephyr started at a base MSRP of $28,995 USD, ranging up to $35,340 USD.[4]
Though slightly smaller and front-wheel drive, the Zephyr was marketed as a replacement for Lincoln's previous entry level mid-size, the rear-wheel driveLincoln LS. To facilitate a smooth transition, the Zephyr and LS were sold parallel to each other during the 2006 model year, the first model year of the Zephyr and the last for the LS. For 2007 the model was renamed MKZ, and took over the LS' market with sales beginning in September 2006. Lincoln's decision to resurrect the Zephyr name refers to the very early days of Lincoln before World War II. At that time, the only Lincoln manufactured was the Lincoln K-series which was a full-size sedan, and Lincoln, under the direction of Edsel Ford, Henry Ford's only son, hoped to introduce a smaller product to compete with the Packard One-Twenty, and the LaSalle, a smaller sibling offered at Cadillac dealerships.
The Zephyr featured interior detailing and an instrument panel distinct from the Fusion and Milan. The design featured shapes with real ebony or maple wood inserts (depending on trim) in metallic frames. These surfaces were contrasted with chrome-bezeled gauges, circular, chrome-finished vents and a metallic center stack with the radio and climate controls. The Zephyr's steering wheel was leather-wrapped with real wood grips and satin-nickel audio, climate, and cruise control buttons. White LED backlighting was used for the Zephyr's controls and instrumentation. Leather seating surfaces were standard in all models.[5]
Other standard features included cruise control, automatic headlights, fog lights, power door locks, "global" power windows (all windows can lower simultaneously at the push of a button), power adjustable and heated mirrors with puddle lamps, remote keyless entry, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel with redundant audio and climate controls, dual-zone automatic climate control, a universal garage door opener, 10-way power driver and front passenger seats, rear-seat reading lamps, and a six-speaker audio system with an AM/FM stereo radio and a six-disc, MP3-compatible CD changer. Optional in the Zephyr was a power moonroof, a DVD-based satellite navigation system, HID headlights and an industry-first THX II-Certified audio system with a six-disc, MP3-compatible CD changer and ten speakers. Safety features included standard dual front-side airbags, front seat-deployed side airbags, and curtain airbags that extend from the front to rear seats.[6]
Lincoln offered the Zephyr with standard heated seats and optional and cooled front seats. With the MY 2008 MKZ, both heated and cooled front seats became standard equipment. User-controlled by individual dash-mounted switches, ambient cabin air was drawn into the system and either heated or cooled by a solid-state heat pump, using a thermo-electric device (TED) to convert electric current into the desired hot or cold thermal effect.[7]
Mechanically the Zephyr was closely related to the Fusion and Milan. As mentioned, all three cars were based on Ford's CD3 platform, which was in turn derived from the Mazda 6. Like these cars the Zephyr is natively front-wheel drive (FWD). The Zephyr uses a coil-over damper, short- and long-arm (SLA) front suspension with double-ball-joint control arms while the rear suspension is an independent multi-link design with lower control arms and a 17mm (0.7in) stabilizer bar. Spring rates, bushings, and dampers have been specially tuned for the Zephyr to provide excellent ride comfort without compromising handling. All Zephyrs feature standard four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with traction control. The sole engine offered in the Zephyr was an all-aluminum 3.0L DOHCDuratecV6 producing 221hp (165kW) at 6250rpm and 205lb·ft (278N·m) of torque at 4800rpm. This engine was mated to an Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission and had a final drive ratio of 3.46:1. This powertrain was identical to the V6 powertrain available in the Fusion and Milan from 2006 to 2009.[8] With this powertrain the Zephyr could accelerate from zero to 60mph (97km/h) in 7.5 seconds.[9] The FWD Zephyr came with a 17.5USgal (66L; 15impgal) fuel tank and is rated to deliver 17mpg‑US (14L/100km; 20mpg‑imp) in city driving and 26mpg‑US (9.0L/100km; 31mpg‑imp) on the highway based on the revised 2008 EPAfuel efficiency measurement standards.[10]
2006 Lincoln Zephyr
Front interior area of a 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
1st gen: Zephyr to MKZ transition (2007)
2007–2009 Lincoln MKZ
For 2007, Lincoln reintroduced the Zephyr as the MKZ— as the brand, across its model range, followed a broad market trend toward alphanumeric nameplates. At its 2006 introduction, Lincoln originally suggested pronunciation of the nameplate MKZ as "mark-zee," subsequently shifting to "em-kay-zee" after observing real-world pronunciation, including with focus groups and dealership personnel.[11]
The 2007 MKZ was presented at the Chicago Auto Show in February 2006. Revisions includeed optional all-wheel-drive along with Ford's then-new all-aluminum 3.5-L DOHCDuratec 35V6. The engine was tuned to produce 265hp (196kW) at 6250rpm and 249lb·ft (337N·m) of torque at 4500rpm — using regular-grade gasoline.[12] and achieving 17mpg‑US (14L/100km; 20mpg‑imp) in city driving and 25mpg‑US (9.4L/100km; 30mpg‑imp) on the highway in front-wheel-drive models.[13] Revised Standard and optional variants of the MKZ's 17 x 7.5-inch wheels were offered.
A road test by Motor Trend found that an MKZ equipped with all-wheel-drive could accelerate from zero to 60mph (97km/h) in 6.8 seconds and complete a quarter mile in 15.2 seconds at 93.4mph (150.3km/h) due to the more powerful engine and extra traction.[14] The available THX II-certified audio system offered an speaker count increased to 14 and its peak output to 600 watts. The MKZ remained positioned as an entry-level luxury sedan with models priced from just under US$30,000 to fully optioned models remaining below $40,000.
For 2008, the MKZ received as standard equipment Sirius satellite radio, perforated leather seats, a reverse sensing system, a tire pressure-monitoring system, and Lincoln SYNC (late availability).[15] For 2009, Ford's 'AdvanceTrac' stability control system became standard, while a special edition "Midnight Black" package was available, featuring black leather seating surfaces and panels contrasted with real maple wood and satin nickel inserts.
1st gen: Facelift (2010)
2010 Lincoln MKZ
Lincoln presented the 2010 MKZ at the 2008 Los Angeles International Auto Show, with a exterior changes including a more pronounced grille, larger LED taillights and revised trunk lid. Revisions to the interior included a new instrument cluster, new center stack, new door trim, updated leather and color choices. The output of the 3.5L V6 remained the same, and changes to the six-speed automatic reduce shift times and acceleration. For the MKZ, Lincolnoffered a new sport package features 18-inch wheels and revised suspension settings. The MKZ's standard and optional 17-inch wheels were restyled and featured an 18-inch wheel option. The MKZ's interior was revised, using real wood accents and metal surfaces. Bridge of Weir leather seating surfaces were standard. Other features new for 2010 included a reverse camera system, Sirius Travel Link, a DVD-based satellite navigation system updated to accept voice commands, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a cabin air filter, and adaptive HID headlights. Mechanically, the MKZ featured suspension revised to improve ride quality and handling and a new 'SelectShift' six-speed automatic transmission. The 2010 MKZ was released during the spring of 2009.[16]
Beginning with model year 2010, the MKZ (along with badge-engineered variants, the Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan — and their hybrid variants) used an acoustic glass for the front windscreen and rear lite. Marketed as Carlite SoundScreen, the glass used a sheet of acoustic vinyl between two layers of glass to reduce noise levels by as much as 6 dB at certain frequencies and 2 to 3 dB overall, enabling more intelligible in-car conversation. The polyvinyl butyral (PVB) layer could save up to seven pounds per vehicle,[17] and helped cut vibration noise from the vehicle's engine compartment.[18] Lincoln marketed the acoustic package as its Quietcraft interior.
1st gen: MKZ Hybrid (2011-2012)
2012 MKZ HybridMKZ Hybrid with leaf road badging on trunk lid and front doors
Lincoln presented the 2011 MKZ Hybrid to the public and motoring press at the 2010 New York International Auto Show,[19] as a rebadged variant of the Ford Fusion (and Mercury Milan) with Lincoln's first four-cylinder engine and as its first hybrid — in this case as a parallel,[20] or "full" hybrid electric configuration with a four-cylinder Atkinson cycle internal combustion engine paired with an a 106 horsepower, AC electric motor electric motor; a Sanyo-supplied[21] 275 voltnickel-metal hydride battery; and an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). Sales began in September 2010,[22] and of the approximately 136,600 first generation MKZs manufactured, about 13,000 were hybrid models.
Externally distinguished by three small, black HYBRID emblems on the trunk lid and lower front doors, the Hybrid was otherwise visually identical to its ICE counterpart, and Ford took the unusual step of offering the ICE MKZ and its hybrid variant at the same MSRP.[20]
The Lincoln hybrid configuration mirrored the powertrain of its Ford and Mercury variants, including the 2.5-L, 156 horsepower,[20]Atkinson cycleDuratecI4— with the setup producing a combined 191hp (142kW).[19][23][20] Achieving an EPA city rating of 41mpg‑US (5.7L/100km; 49mpg‑imp) and a highway rating of 36mpg‑US (6.5L/100km; 43mpg‑imp), the MKZ was thus the most fuel-efficientluxury sedan in the U.S. until the release of the 2011 Lexus CT 200h in March 2011.[24] The MKZ Hybrid featured an EV mode enabling the car to travel short distances on electricity alone, at speeds up to 47mph (76km/h).[25] Ford advertised the city driving range could achieve more than 700 miles on a tank of gas.
A 2008 press release for the Ford Fusion, which shares the identical engineering, describes the MKZ's hybrid system. Referred by Ford as its second-generation system, it is substantially improved over prior Ford's engineering system from the 2005 Ford Escape, and incorporates a number of new or enhanced features:
Variable Cam Timing (iVCT): The system used Intake Variable Cam Timing (iVCT) to facilitate smooth transitions between gasoline and electric modes. Spark and cam timing were dynamically adjusted based on engine load, boosting efficiency and cutting emissions.
Climate Management: An intelligent climate control system monitored cabin temperature, running the gas engine only when required to heat the interior. An air conditioning compressor using electric power was also included, which further minimized engine fuel consumption.
Emissions and Throttle Management: The electronic throttle control was enhanced to reduce airflow on engine shutdown, thereby decreasing fuel requirements on restarts. A wide-band oxygen sensor monitored the air-fuel ratio, making real-time adjustments to minimize pollutants.
Battery & Voltage Conversion: a nickel–metal hydride battery battery that was both smaller physically and weighed less developed 20 percent more power. The battery's advanced electrochemistry allowed it to run at higher temperatures and to be cooled with cabin air, specifically via vents below the rear seats. An additional variable voltage AC-DC converter boosted voltage to the high voltage battery (i.e., the traction battery) for greater motor and generator efficiency, while a new high-efficiency converter provided 14 percent more output to accommodate a wider range of operational features.
Braking System Efficiency: kinetic energy normally scrubed off via braking heat and friction was recaptured by a regenerative braking system. Designed to initiate full regenerative braking before friction braking in urban driving, the system recovered nearly 94 percent of the kinetic energy. A simulator brake actuation system managed this process and offered a superior brake pedal feel compared to Ford's previous generation.[26]
As with its Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan counterparts, the MKZ prominently featured a digital instrument cluster, marketed as Smart Gauge with EcoGuide, designed to coach the driver to more efficient driving. In edition to four customizable modes (Inform, Enlighten, Engage, and Empower) offering increasing levels of feedback, a user-selectable vine graphic gave a dramatic indication relative driving efficiency, rewarding the driver with more leaves for economical driving — upgraded in the Lincoln to include flowers modeled after apple blossoms.[20][19][23]
The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is identified by a badge with Ford's leaf and highway logo.
Internally, the Hybrid sacrificed fold-down rear seats to accommodate the High Voltage Battery (HVB), vertically located just behind the rear seat-back.
The first generation MKZ Hybrid was marketed by Ford as a competitor to the Lexus HS 250h and Lexus ES Hybrid.[27] As of July 2011, the MKZ Hybrid was the only hybrid in the market with the same price as its gasoline variant.[25][28] Ford reported that until June 2011, about 20% of 2011 MKZ sales were hybrids, and the market share was even higher in markets where hybrids in general sold well, such as the Los Angeles region, where sales of the hybrid model represented 44%, and the San Francisco area, with a market share of 66%.[25] The MKZ Hybrid base price was US$35,520, and with popular options including a sunroof, navigation system, blind spot monitors, a THX surround-sound stereo, and a backup camera, the MSRP was US$41,370.[25] A study by Vincentric, a Michigan-based data compilation and analysis company, noted that of 25 hybrid vehicles tested from the 2012 model year, the MKZ delivered the lowest five-year total ownership costs compared to their traditionally engined counterparts, saving $6,168 over its ICE variant.[29]
Lincoln introduced the first generation MKZ Hybrid with a advertising campaign called Smarter than Luxury with a TV spot featuring Mad Men's John Slattery, filmed at the Salk Institute and using the tagline The 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. It's not just luxury; it's smarter than that.[30][31] For the same Smarter than Luxury campaign, print advertisements designed by the Team Detroit group, carried a title Nobody's Fool in the Geogrotesque font, with the copy: "don't let anyone tell you "luxury" and "41 miles per gallon city" and reasonably priced" are contradictions in terms.[32]
The first gen Ford Fusion Hybrid was awarded the North American Car of the Year prize at the 2010 Detroit auto show and named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year, was one of Car and Driver magazine’s “10 Best Cars for 2010”. On receiving the latter, Car and Driver noted “when we recognized the Fusion hybrid as a 10Best winner in 2010, we noted that ‘you can drive it for fun (a hybrid first) or for mileage — which is also fun. This applies verbatim to the MKZ hybrid.”[20] It was one of the five finalists for the 2011 Green Car of the Year awarded by the Green Car Journal in November 2010, which was won by the Chevrolet Volt.[33] In its 2011 Hybrid Scorecard, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) ranked the MKZ Hybrid, together with the Lexus CT200h, as the top luxury hybrid models in the scorecard's environmental improvement category, an achievement the UCS attributed to their relatively small gasoline engines.[34] Nevertheless, the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid ranked higher than the Lexus on all factors: consumer value, hybrid technology, fuel efficiency, and pollution reduction. Also, the UCS praised the MKZ Hybrid, together with the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, because both hybrids were available with few or no forced features that inflated the cost without adding to fuel savings or reducing emissions.[25] The UCS's Hybrid Scorecard ratings for the MKZ Hybrid were higher than the nonluxury Toyota Prius for environmental performance, and hybrid value; both were rated the same for forced features; and the Prius scores higher in fuel economy.[35]
1st gen: Safety
The MKZ initially received mediocre crash test ratings. Beginning with 2007 models manufactured after January 2007, structural reinforcements were added to the MKZ to improve occupant protection in frontal overlap crashes. Beginning with 2010 models, design changes were made to the door interior trim to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes. Subsequently, the car was retested by both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and received higher ratings, becoming an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick from 2010 onwards.
2007 Lincoln MKZ on Insurance Institute for Highway Safety[36]
Category
Rating
Small overlap front
Marginal
Moderate overlap front
Good
Side impact
Acceptable
Roof strength
Acceptable
Head restraints & seats
Marginal
2010 Lincoln MKZ on Insurance Institute for Highway Safety[37]
Ford redesigned the Lincoln MKZ for the 2013 model year, sharing the company's CD4 platform with Fusion and Mondeo.[39] The concept model debuted at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.[40] The production version of the second-generation MKZ was unveiled at the 2012 New York Auto Show. It followed the general concept idea released in the model displayed at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Three powertrainoptions included a 240-horsepower EcoBoost 2-liter four-cylinder (FWD or AWD); a 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 (FWD or AWD); and a hybrid system combinding the 2-liter power plant with an electric motor.
The MKZ was originally for release in November 2012, subsequently delayed to January along with Fusion production. Release was again held to resolve quality issues, with early production models shipped from the Hermosillo facility to Ford's Flat Rock plant for inspection before shipment to dealerships, an unprecedented move for such an extensive product, insure a better market reception and long term profitability.[41] Production reached dealerships in sufficient quantities by mid-March 2013.
Subsequent model year changes for 2014 were primarily limited to color choices. For 2015, automatic headlights, rear parking sensors and rear view camera became standard. The Black Label trim package was introduced featuring premium interior trim materials including Alcantara on the headliner, visors, and upper trim, luxurious floormats, premium leather seating surfaces with embossed Lincoln logos on the headrests, and featured a leather wrapped instrument panel. The leather wrapped IP required extensive testing and development to achieve a "discreet" airbag, one without a visible seam, a first for a Ford Motor Company product. Additionally in 2015, the Lincoln MKZ was exported to China to increase overall sales.
2nd gen: MKZ Hybrid (2013-2020)
With the second generation MKZ's complete redesign,[42] Lincoln shifted the MKZ Hybrid's high voltage battery from nickel-hydride to a compact lithium-ion battery pack. The updated powertrain delivering a higher fuel economy up to 48mpgUS (4.9 to 5.0L/100km; 56 to 58mpgimp) highway.
The second generation MKZ Hybrid was launched in mid-2012,[43][44] and Lincoln presented the 2013 model at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.[45]
The hybrid, like the previous-generation MKZ Hybrid, was available for the same price as the non-hybrid model.[46][47]
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated the 2013 MKZ Hybrid at 45mpg‑US (5.2L/100km; 54mpg‑imp) with the same rating for combined/city/highway cycles. The 2013 model year 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder FWD automatic MKZ rating is 26mpg‑US (9.0L/100km; 31mpg‑imp) combined, 22mpg‑US (11L/100km; 26mpg‑imp) in the city, and 33mpg‑US (7.1L/100km; 40mpg‑imp) on the highway.
These ratings allowed the 2013 MKZ Hybrid to become the most fuel-efficient luxury vehicle in the U.S. and improve the fuel economy of the Lexus ES 300h hybrid by 5 mpg-US on the combined cycle. Despite sharing the same powertrain, the 2013 MKZ Hybrid rated 2 mpg-US combined less than its sibling, the second-generation Ford Fusion Hybrid at 47mpg‑US (5.0L/100km; 56mpg‑imp).[46]
The 2017 MKZ Hybrid's EPA rating is 41mpg‑US (5.7L/100km; 49mpg‑imp) in the city, and 38mpg‑US (6.2L/100km; 46mpg‑imp) on the highway.[48]
2nd gen: facelift (2017)
2017 Lincoln MKZ
The MKZ received a facelift for model year 2017, presented on November 18, 2015, at the LA Auto Show, featuring redesigned front grille and headlights. The 3.7 L V6 was dropped in favor of a 3.0 L twin-turbo V6 engine unique to Lincoln, producing between 350 and 400 horsepower depending on the drive-train.[49][50] Trim levels include the standard model, plus Premiere, Select, Reserve and top level Black Label, which is three special appearance packages, a tradition started with the Designer Editions in 1976. The MKZ offers the "Vineyard" (unique to the MKZ), "Chalet", and "Thoroughbred" theme appearance packages. In continuing with Lincoln tradition, Bridge of Weir "Deepsoft" leather is used for the Select and Reserve trim packages.
The transmission is no longer activated with a center console installed transmission selector; the computer controlled transmission uses buttons installed to the left of the MyLincoln Touch infotainment touch screen labeled "P, R, N, D, S", a revival of an approach used in the 1950s by the Chrysler push button PowerFlite and the Packard Touchbutton Ultramatic. The "S" transmission selection represents "Sport" mode, where the Continuously Controlled Damping suspension, electric power steering and transmission shift points take on a different posture.
The MKZ received no more major changes, with the new model years bringing new colors and a gradual diminishing of the lineup. For 2020, the car's final year on the market, only the Base and Reserve trims remained, with either Hybrid, Turbo, or V6 powertrains.
2nd gen: safety
The 2013 Lincoln MKZ earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick+ award.
2013 Lincoln MKZ on Insurance Institute for Highway Safety[51]
↑Ford Motor Company. "2006 Zephyr Pricing." Ford Media. Jun. 16 2005. "Product Press Info". Ford Motor Company Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
↑Ford Motor Company. "2006 Zephyr Exterior/Interior." Ford Media. 2005. "Product Press Info". Ford Motor Company Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
↑Ford Motor Company. "2006 Zephyr Technical Specifications." Ford Media. 2005. "Product Press Info". Ford Motor Company Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
↑Ford Motor Company. "2006 Zephyr Powertrain." Ford Media. 2005. "Product Press Info". Ford Motor Company Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
↑Ford Motor Company. "2007 MKZ Overview." Ford Media. 2006. "Product Press Info". Ford Motor Company Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
↑Ford Motor Company. "2008 MKZ Overview." Ford Media. 2007. "Product Press Info". Ford Motor Company Newsroom. Archived from the original on 2009-06-01. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
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