2006 Lincoln Zephyr

[komodo]

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2006 Lincoln Zephyr
Lincoln gets a Fusion of its very own

2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR
ON SALE: Now
BASE PRICE: $29,660
POWERTRAIN: 3.0-liter, 221-hp, 205-lb-ft V6; fwd, six-speed automatic
CURB WEIGHT: 3410 lbs
0 TO 60 MPH: 7.0 seconds (est.)

Trivia question: When was the last time Ford.s Lincoln division introduced a new passenger car? How about five years ago? Seriously? Yes, seriously: That.s when the Lincoln LS was introduced.2001. Five years! That.s an automotive eternity.especially for a brand known primarily for its passenger cars. Now Lincoln, which Ford officials admit the com*pany has all but ignored, has a new car, or at least one new to Lincoln: Zephyr.

Zephyr is Lincoln.s version of the Ford Fusion/Mercury Milan and will be built alongside them at Ford.s Hermosillo, Mexico, plant. Lincoln officials say the hope with Zephyr is to keep Lincoln.s traditional buyers while bringing new ones into the fold.

Zephyr rides on the same modified Mazda 6 chassis and uses the Fusion.s 3.0-liter, 221-hp Duratec V6, six-speed automatic and four-wheel independent suspension. Like the Mazda 6, there are control arms in front and a multilink setup in the rear.

The Zephyr adds more sound-deadening material, a suspension tuned more to the soft side, and a higher sticker price. Zephyr.s base sticker is $29,660. The Fusion starts at $17,795.

Ford has been improving its interiors in a big way lately, and the Zephyr builds on the Fusion.s excellent fit-and-finish. The dash and instruments look expensive and the interior is void of hard plastics. All the knobs and switches feel like quality pieces. The seats (front and back) are comfortable and supportive.

Driving the Zephyr is, well, like driving a quieter, slightly softer Fusion. The Zephyr is comfortable and quiet, and rides and handles nicely.

The Duratec provides good power, but can get buzzy when you dip into the throttle. There is a little too much mechanical noise, so it.s not as smooth as a Honda or Toyota six-cylinder. We found the same thing when we drove the Fusion.
The Zephyr is a solid mid-size contender; there is every reason to believe it will compete with cars at which it is aimed: Acura TL, Lexus ES and Cadillac CTS. The Zephyr is the first of Lincoln.s .product renaissance,. which includes five new cars and trucks over the next four years. Lincoln officials hope for 30,000 Zephyr sales a year.

Totally new look for lincoln. I'm not sure about it.... so far I'm not feeling it.

[DEATH2000]

Personally i like it. The color in that pic is pretty gay, but other than that i like the look of it. Its kinda kool how the front end just slopes down and is prety much flush from the grille to the bottom of the bumper.

[nick_318is]

Its a Lincoln I will pass

[c1apton]

Originally Posted by nick_318is

Its a Lincoln I will pass

I agree - you can't polish a turd

[xsperf]

its a lincoln, that means its nice, but FWD, thats teh g3y, im not sure if the LS was FWD, but other than the LS, thats agaisnt tradition!

[komodo]

Something about the Lincoln name makes me think "old person car".

[c1apton]

Wasn't the Zephyr an upgraded Fairmont back in the day of "shoe-box semi family econo box" cars? Yea any of those Lincolns & Mercs remind me too of "old fart" boats.

Kind of like the old men who drive around in latest "police car" look alikes. Those old boys give me the creeps. You don't know if their driving them to get a break if a cop stops them or they like slowing traffic down because they look like an unmarked.

[DEATH2000]

Originally Posted by c1apton

Wasn't the Zephyr an upgraded Fairmont back in the day of "shoe-box semi family econo box" cars? Yea any of those Lincolns & Mercs remind me too of "old fart" boats.

kinda, a custom 1938 Lincoln Zephyr sold at the Barret Jackson Autction for $400,000

[dtm325pwr]

Originally Posted by komodo

Something about the Lincoln name makes me think "old person car".

every lincoln in tribune is driven by some one thats ATLEAST 50. lol

[Linds]

the old lincolns are pimp, we just sold our 1978 one.

[DEATH2000]

^^ Dude thats pimp. My uncle ahs a 1972 Lincoln thats sitiing in his garage. Needs some serious engine/brake work but other than that its a sweet car.

[Linds]

ours ran well, barely no rust at all, just no working AC really shame to see it go, wasn't practical so I just bought a truck that im picking up tomorrow. A 1988 Isuzu pickup with a 1990 Isuzu Trooper motor in it, at least I finally get a 5 speed again!

[DEATH2000]

^^ Kool man, good luck with it. Personnally im not a fan of izuzu.