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Ford’s trio of new midsize sedans — Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and the Lincoln Zephyr — all have roots in the Mazda 6 platform, yet each has its own distinguishing characteristics.
The Fusion is the price leader, the Milan is a slightly upscale Fusion, and the well-equipped Zephyr slots into the entry-level luxury car segment. They all share similar mechanical components and a similar body shape.
The Zephyr is the nicest of the three, as it should be for the price. It is part of a new-product blitz coming from Lincoln. Five new cars and trucks, including the Zephyr and Mark LT pickup, will be introduced during the next four years.
The Zephyr name was used on an entry-level Lincoln in 1936, so it seems fitting that this historic name is applied to the first new passenger car to come from Lincoln since the LS was introduced five years ago.
The Zephyr’s base price is $29,660, and that includes 17-inch wheels, side-curtain airbags, leather trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, anti-lock brakes, traction control and a four-year, 50,000-mile warranty.
Like the Milan and Fusion, the Zephyr is powered by a 3.0-liter, 221-horsepower Duratec V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. To reduce engine noise and vibration, engineers employed hydraulic engine mounts and a front engine cover made from a sheet metal “sandwich.” After driving all three cars, it was clear that this engine has adequate power, but it takes a determined throttle foot to extract it. When used hard, the engine sounds busier than its top import competitors.
Ford recently unveiled a 250-horse, 3.5-liter V-6 whose physical size is the same as the current 3.0-liter engine. Expect to see this engine as an option in a couple of years.
The Lincoln’s chassis has class-leading torsional rigidity, and the suspension was designed to deliver responsive handling. The ride feels a tad softer than the Milan’s or Fusion’s. Agile handling has not been sacrificed for comfort, however, and the Zephyr still has confident cornering.
The brakes have large rotors and new calipers, and the rack-and-pinion steering is mounted to a separate subframe for reduced noise and vibration.
As expected for a significantly higher price than the Milan or Fusion, the Zephyr’s interior is considerably nicer. The instrument panel is unique, with gauges that look more expensive. Wood trim, leather textures and brushed silver all work together to provide a nice combination of visual and tactile surfaces. Fit and finish throughout the cabin appears to be first rate.
The optional navigation system, $2,495, is a dramatic improvement over previous efforts. The screen is easy to read, and the menu system is logical. The test car’s THX stereo delivered crisp, clean sound that was a delight to the ears.
The Zephyr is not a large car, despite the 107.4-inch wheelbase, but it has decent space inside. The back seat has 37 inches of leg-room, and the trunk is generous. The split-folding rear seat affords space for long items.
The little Lincoln’s interior overshadows the exterior. The body’s elegant simplicity is dominated by the waterfall grille, while added visual interest comes from the high-intensity headlights and LED taillights. Understatement is the order of the day, and that’s better than acres of chrome.
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Price: The test car’s base price was $29,660. Options included heated and cooled perforated leather seats, power sunroof, chrome wheels and navigation system. The sticker price was $35,240.
Warranty: Four years or 50,000 miles
Engine: 3.0-liter, 221-hp V-6
Trans: Six-speed automatic
Wheelbase: 107.4 inches
Curb weight: 3,410 lbs.
Base price: $29,660
As driven: $35,240
Mpg: 20 city, 28 hwy.
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At A Glance
Point: The Zephyr offers clean styling, responsive handling and entry-level luxury in a midsize package. The cabin is nicely styled without being gaudy. Rear-seat legroom is good.
Counterpoint: The Zephyr is considerably more expensive than its corporate siblings, and the Duratec V-6 sounds busy when driven hard.
To get in touch with Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tstrongman@kc.rr.com.
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