When the 2009 Lincoln MKS entered production, it arrived to market with a 273 horsepower, 3.7-liter V6. This made the new luxurious Lincoln a large, loaded, heavy vehicle with the power of a Nissan Altima. When we reviewed the MKS, we liked the newest Lincoln's interior, loved its in-car technology, and found the package itself acceptable to drive, but we were left longing for Ford's seemingly far off twin-turbocharged, direct-inject 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine. A vehicle as big as the MKS deserves the extra pop, we figured. It took a year, but it's finally turbo time at the top of Lincoln's lineup. We already had the pleasure of a first drive with the force-fed MKS, and we found the 4,300-lb all-wheel-drive sedan to be quick and nimble for its size with fuel economy that handily bests its V8-powered competition. But we drove the EcoBoost MKS in the controlled environment of Ford's Romeo Proving Grounds. This time, we were given the chance to drive the EcoBoost MKS at a place where few Lincolns roam: the drag strip. Hit the jump to see how Ford's new hot rod Lincoln handled itself on the track. We have performance numbers and video waiting for you, as well as video and stats for the EcoBoost Ford Flex
Michigan's Milan Dragway sits about 50 miles southwest of downtown Detroit. When we arrived, Milan was buzzing with hot rods, funny cars, motorcycles and snowmobiles. There were modified trucks and SUVs, some of which looked more prepared for the junkyard than the track. There was even a brand new Cadillac CTS-V, likely the closest you'll get to an exotic on most nights. What we didn't see was a single Lincoln.
That changed when two black and one cherry red MKS EcoBoost models showed up at the tech booth for inspection. At most places, we'd have to explain what EcoBoost means, but the locals here were all too aware of what lie dormant under the hood. One guy on a hopped-up golf cart with mag wheels (there were a lot of those at Milan) rolled up and said "355-hp Lincoln; 'bout time." Indeed sir, indeed.
Though Ford has yet to offer official performance numbers for the MKS and Flex EcoBoost models, the Blue Oval expects the final 0-60 figures to be about 6.0 seconds for the sedan and 7.0 seconds for the three-row people mover. We expect a couple tenths to be shaved off that number before all is said and done, though, as Ford tends to play it safe with performance figures in order to avoid the bad press associated with over-promising and under-delivering. With numbers like that, the EcoBoost models probably weren't going to compete with the privately owned track stars that were sitting in line and waiting for drag time, but we were anxious to open up the new EcoBoost motor just the same.
That changed when two black and one cherry red MKS EcoBoost models showed up at the tech booth for inspection. At most places, we'd have to explain what EcoBoost means, but the locals here were all too aware of what lie dormant under the hood. One guy on a hopped-up golf cart with mag wheels (there were a lot of those at Milan) rolled up and said "355-hp Lincoln; 'bout time." Indeed sir, indeed.
Though Ford has yet to offer official performance numbers for the MKS and Flex EcoBoost models, the Blue Oval expects the final 0-60 figures to be about 6.0 seconds for the sedan and 7.0 seconds for the three-row people mover. We expect a couple tenths to be shaved off that number before all is said and done, though, as Ford tends to play it safe with performance figures in order to avoid the bad press associated with over-promising and under-delivering. With numbers like that, the EcoBoost models probably weren't going to compete with the privately owned track stars that were sitting in line and waiting for drag time, but we were anxious to open up the new EcoBoost motor just the same.
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