AutoblogGreen

Lincoln MKZ may get a plug-in option like its Ford Fusion cousin

Danny King — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:56:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Ford, Lincoln

Ford may make a plug-in hybrid-electric version of its Lincoln MKZ sedan for the 2013 model year, if there's customer demand for that variant, USA Today reported, citing comments Ford executive Scott Tobin made at the Detroit Auto Show recently. As it is, the 2013 MKZ will include gas-powered and hybrid vesions.

Ford will include a gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid option for its 2013 Fusion mid-size sedan, which is why it makes some sense to do the same for the Fusions sister Lincoln vehicle. The company didn't disclose further powertrain details for the 2013 Lincoln MKZ.

Ford started selling Lincoln's first hybrid in 2010, and the company boosted sales of the model fivefold to 5,739 vehicles in 2011. The current MKZ hybrid, which pairs a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor, gets a combined 39 miles per gallon combined. That's almost twice the 21 mpg combined that the conventional six-cylinder MKZ achieves.

Lincoln MKZ may get a plug-in option like its Ford Fusion cousin originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lincoln's small car isn't dead... it never really existed

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Ford, Lincoln, Detroit Auto Show

Here's the problem with releasing a concept: More often than not, people expect you to build it. So when a source tells you that a showcar doesn't have a shot at production, many assume it's been killed. Unless, that is, it was never going to come to market in the first place.

Such is the case with the fetching Lincoln Concept C, originally shown at the Detroit Auto Show in 2009.

Ford Inside News reports that the Concept C has been axed, but the truth is, it was never confirmed for production in the first place. Instead, Lincoln's three-year plan includes seven all-new or "significantly refreshed" models, one of which will sport a diminutive footprint. But is it a C-segment vehicle? Sorta.

Rather than rework a sedan/hatch based on the Ford Focus platform - something Lincoln is shying away from as it attempts to move away from the badge-engineering game - our source tells us that Lincoln's previously announced C-segment entrant is likely to be a compact CUV based off the new Escape platform with a reworked stance and a different seating setup. And if our tea leaves are in order, we'd expect to see some kind of concept version within the next year, likely sporting a hybrid-electric drivetrain.

Lincoln's small car isn't dead... it never really existed originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Hybrid vehicle sales slip in September 2011; Prius tops chart again *UPDATE

Eric Loveday — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:41:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Lexus, Lincoln, Toyota

It's that time of month again. September 2011 sales in the U.S. have been tallied (see plug-in results here) and so we took a look at the good-old green standby, hybrid vehicles. With quake-related vehicle production issues more or less out of the picture, output of most hybrid vehicles is back on track, even if demand isn't.

For September, Toyota Prius sales came in at 9,325 units, down a bit from the 9,491 units sold in August and a couple thousand units shy of the 11,394 Priuses sold in September a year ago. The Honda CR-Z edged out the Honda Insight, with 537 versus 512 units sold, respectively. Meanwhile, sales of the Honda Civic Hybrid continued to slump, coming in at 305 units, up from the 106 gas-electric Civics sold in August. Though not a hybrid, the hydrogen Honda FCX Clarity tallied one unit sold in September, down 50 percent compared to the pair of FCX Clarity sedans sold in September of 2010 (aren't statistics wonderful?).

Luxury automaker Lexus reports that sales of the CT 200h rang in at 1,444 in September, down from August's mark of 2,087. And the not-so-hot Lexus HS 250h fared only okay with sales of 231 units, compared to 711 sold in September of 2010.

Overall, Toyota-Lexus posted September sales of 12,123 hybrid vehicles, a decrease of 18.5 percent compared to September of 2010. Lexus' hybrids accounted for 2,351 of those vehicles, leaving Toyota with 9,772 hybrids sold. Overall, the automaker sold 121,451 vehicles last month. We'll update this post as more sales numbers - particularly from Ford and Hyundai - become available. For details on plug-in vehicle sales, click here.

*UPDATE: Ford's numbers are in, with the Blue Oval reporting Fusion Hybrid sales of 552, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid sales at 455 and sales of the gas-electric Escape at 566 units for the month of September.

Continue reading Hybrid vehicle sales slip in September 2011; Prius tops chart again *UPDATE

Hybrid vehicle sales slip in September 2011; Prius tops chart again *UPDATE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2012 Lincoln Navigator, 2013 MKS to get EcoBoost engines

Eric Loveday — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:55:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Lincoln

Listen up, Lincoln fans, it's time to gear up for an onslaught of seven new or substantially revised vehicles by 2014. Reportedly included in that mix is an assortment of vehicles focused on sipping less fuel than one might expect of a typical Lincoln. Ford's global product chief, Derrick Kuzak, told Automotive News that as Lincolns undergo a redesign, the vehicles that emerge will be different from Ford's offering not only in technology, but in exterior design, too. Some will even reportedly come equipped with fuel-saving, eight-speed transmissions.

But it's word of EcoBoost engines spreading across Lincoln's lineup that has us most intrigued. Reports indicate the Lincoln MKS will undergo a significant redesign for Model Year 2013 and that Ford's 2.0 liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine will likely show up as an option. Even the not-green Lincoln Navigator is expected to get its EcoBoost on. Word is the slightly redesigned 2012 Navigator will get the 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine that resides in the current Ford F-150.

And, since Ford says EcoBoost engines will be available in 90 percent of its vehicles by the end of 2013, we wouldn't be at all surprised if more Ford/Lincoln offerings get 'Boosted soon.

2012 Lincoln Navigator, 2013 MKS to get EcoBoost engines originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford to install advanced e-CVT trans in hybrids starting in late 2011

Eric Loveday — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 08:24:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Lincoln

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Recently, Joe Bakaj, Ford's vice-president of global powertrain engineering, confirmed that the Dearborn-headquartered automaker is developing an eight-speed automatic transmission, which is being designed, engineered and built by Ford in-house. Bakaj states that the fuel-saving eight-speed auto will offer "best-in-class" shift smoothness and responsiveness.

For Ford, there's at least one more transmission in the works. To be installed in Ford and Lincoln hybrid vehicles starting in late 2011, the Ford-designed, Ford-engineered and Ford-built e-CVT (electronic continuously variable transmission) will replace a similar unit currently made in Japan. As with the eight-speed trans, Ford says the e-CVT will offer improved performance and fuel efficiency. For reference, the current Fusion Hybrid hits a top speed of 47 miles per hour and travels up to one mile on electricity alone. However, Ford seems to be indicating that the upcoming e-CVT trans will lead to a boost in both of those numbers.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford to install advanced e-CVT trans in hybrids starting in late 2011

Ford to install advanced e-CVT trans in hybrids starting in late 2011 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 08:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford implements cost-cutting strategy for hybrid vehicles

Eric Loveday — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:47:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Even though there are more hybrids on the market today than ever before, automakers still need to squeeze more cost savings out each one, whether that be by economies of scale or by developing technology in-house. That's the strategy that Ford is using, says Sherif Marakby, the company's director of electrification programs and engineering. With each next-generation hybrid system, Ford aims to cut cost and, according to Automotive News, the hybrid setup in the 2013 C-Max Hybrid will cost 30 percent less than the hybrid hardware found in the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

How is Ford reducing costs? Well, according to Hybrid Cars, the automaker's cost-cutting strategy works something like this:

Ford developed its own in-house battery system that will be manufactured at the automaker's Rawsonville, MI, plant next year. Ford developed everything for the system, from the tooling to the wiring, sensors and controls. All the components are assembled by Ford in its facility. (Battery cells come from Compact Power.)
Ford developed its own hybrid transmission, which will be manufactured at a suburban Detroit plant.
Ford also brought system integration and software development in-house. The software can control battery and motors, as well as the total system, to achieve maximum efficiency.
All the parts used for hybrids and other electric-drive vehicles are made common, and software and control systems are re-used as much as possible.

Need evidence that Ford's cost-cutting strategy is working? Look no further than the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. Priced at $35,180, the MKZ Hybrid stickers for the exact same as the non-hybridized, 3.5-liter V6 MKZ. Perhaps that's why buyers are snatching up the MKZ Hybrid at a rate that even Ford didn't expect.

[Source: Hybrid Cars, Automotive News - sub. req.]

Ford implements cost-cutting strategy for hybrid vehicles originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lincoln MKZ Hybrid sales exceeding Ford's expectations

Eric Loveday — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:51:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Lincoln

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Given that the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is little more than a gussied-up Ford Fusion Hybrid, it's not surprising that the gas-electric MKZ achieves the same 41 miles per gallon city and 36 mpg highway rating. Admittedly, we were a bit shocked when Lincoln announced that the MKZ Hybrid starts at $35,180 (including destination and delivery) - the same price as a gas-only front-wheel-drive 3.5-liter V6 model. Perhaps that's why buyers are snatching up the MKZ Hybrid at a rate that even Ford didn't expect.

Initially, Ford targeted the hybrid version to account for approximately 15 percent of total MKZ sales. However, the numbers show that the MKZ Hybrid's take rate has averaged between 22 and 23 percent since January of 2011. Ford says that March's numbers look similar. Through the end of February, Lincoln sold a total of 3,343 MKZ sedans, 762 of which were hybrids. With no premium price tag and gas prices soaring, perhaps nobody should be surprised by the MKZ Hybrid's take rate. Perhaps the better question would be, is the hybrid model profitable?

Photos copyright (C)2010 Zach Bowman / AOL

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Lincoln MKZ Hybrid sales exceeding Ford's expectations

Lincoln MKZ Hybrid sales exceeding Ford's expectations originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

LA 2010: Chevy Volt wins 2011 Green Car of the Year title

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Chevrolet, Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln, Nissan, LA Auto Show

Joel Ewanick, VP, U.S. Marketing for General Motors, and the Chevy Volt with the Green Car of the Year Award

The Chevrolet Volt drove off with the 2011 Green Car of the Year Award at the LA Auto Show this morning, beating out tough competition from the Nissan Leaf and ending a two-year diesel powertrain reign (at the 2008 show, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI was named the winner; last year, the Audi A3 TDI won). The other finalists for this year's award, given out by Green Car Journal, included the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid , Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the Ford Fiesta.

The Natural Resources Defense Council's Roland Hwang said during the ceremony that "the environment means business." To be globally competitive, automakers need highly-efficient vehicles to compete and, "what this means is that green vehicles are going to go mainstream." The Green Car of the Year award embodies this change. When it was first given out in 2006, it was sort of tacked on at the end of the LA Auto Show. Today, like last year, the ceremony was a highlight of the show.

Last year, Green Car Journal editor Ron Cogan made a point to mention the five vehicles up for consideration were notable because they were mainstream vehicles that were already available. This year, only three of the candidates are currently on dealer lots. With the high tech involved in the Leaf and Volt, though, we're okay with the slight delay in availability.

If you were rooting for the Leaf, don't worry too much. Today, that car won the Green Car of the Year title from TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk over in the UK. Still, in the U.S., the Green Car Journal award is the big one, and we want to know if the Volt claiming the first Green Car of the Year award of the electric era - and if there's one message we're heard here in LA this year, it's that we're really in the electric era now - make sense to you. Let us know in the comments below.

Continue reading LA 2010: Chevy Volt wins 2011 Green Car of the Year title

LA 2010: Chevy Volt wins 2011 Green Car of the Year title originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Neil Young's Lincvolt severly damaged in warehouse fire

Domenick Yoney — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Lincoln, USA

Multi-fuel turbine electric hybrid Lincvolt - Click above to watch video after the jump

It's better to burn out
Than it is to rust

It's a tragedy of epic proportions. Neil Young's 1959 Lincoln Continental Mark IV convertible, which he has spent the past few years converting into a multi-fuel turbine electric hybrid, has been severely damaged in a fire. Fresh from a trip to Las Vegas where it was presented to adoring crowds at SEMA, this 19.5-foot long representative of classic American automotive statuary, dubbed the "Lincvolt," was resting comfortably in a warehouse in San Carlos, CA when a fire suddenly erupted. Possibly from the trunk of the behemoth itself.

According to a statement appearing on the Lincvolt website:

We are still investigating the exact cause although it appears to be an operator error that occurred in an untested part of the charging system.

Apparently, the Lincoln has its own ~~area code~~ black box-like computer that is being sent to Perrone Robotics in an effort to pinpoint the precise cause of the malfunction.

The structure, which is said to have suffered over $1 million in damages, was also home to much of the singer's music equipment and memorabilia. Due to the extraordinary efforts of firefighters, most of that was saved.

We can only hope that, if the Lincvolt is now bound for that final scrapyard in the sky, it will inspire a tune as great as the elegy to Young's 1948 Buick Roadmaster hearse, Long May You Run. To see footage of hybridized classic along with Neil's keynote address to SEMA, hit the jump for freshly finished four-part video. Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

[Source: Mercury News / Lincvolt]

Continue reading Neil Young's Lincvolt severly damaged in warehouse fire

Neil Young's Lincvolt severly damaged in warehouse fire originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

2010 Green Car of the Year finalists announced

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, MPG, Chevrolet, Ford, Hyundai, Lincoln, Nissan

Green Car of the Year finalists - Click above for high-res image gallery

Green Car Journal has chosen its five candidates for the 2011 Green Car of the Year Award. Competition is fierce this time around with both the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt nabbing nods. While those two have been busy snapping up headlines over the past year, the rest of the vehicles on the list are no less impressive. The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid made the cut thanks to its incredibly efficient drivetrain borrowed from the Ford Fusion Hybrid. Meanwhile, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is bound to make an impressive showing thanks to its competent highway mileage and high-tech lithium-polymer battery pack.

Of all of the eligible vehicles, the only one without a battery pack is the lovable 2011 Ford Fiesta. While the subcompact is likely to be eclipsed by the rest of the electron-powered pack, the vehicle's 40 mile per gallon highway is no less impressive than all of the high-tech wizardry on board the hybrids and EVs. The winner of this year's award will be announced at the 2010 LA Auto Show on November 18. Check out our gallery of the nominees below and then hit the jump for the press release.

Photos copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Green Car Journal]

Continue reading 2010 Green Car of the Year finalists announced

2010 Green Car of the Year finalists announced originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Neil Young's LincVolt goes on display in Florida

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Biodiesel, Hybrid, Lincoln

Neil Young's LincVolt - Click above for high-res image gallery

Neil Young's biodiesel-powered hybrid, the Lincvolt, made a lot of headlines back in 2008, but it's kind of faded from view after dropping out of the X-Prize in mid-2009. Late last month, though, the car and the musician dropped by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL to support Young's "Repowering the American Dream" initiative.

As you can see from the exterior shot above and the interior shot in the gallery below, the LincVolt - a 1959 Lincoln Continental convertible that was given a powertrain transplant and now runs on biodiesel and batteries - looks pretty stunning. It's not easy to pull off wheels like that, but the LincVolt does it. The biodiesel-electric hybrid has a range of 400 miles and, Biodiesel Magazine reports, the powertrain pushes the car to a fuel economy of 80 miles per gallon. Young isn't doing this car just because he want to drive cleaner himself. Young told the crowd:

The U.S. biodiesel industry could support as many as 78,000 good American jobs and displace 97 million barrels of imported petroleum. In 2009, biodiesel added $4.1 billion to the nation's Gross Domestic Product and supported jobs in all sectors of the economy while reducing carbon and other harmful emissions.

If we could cruise around in vehicles like the LincVolt, the biodiesel would probably be in much better shape. Read more about the tour stop over at Biodiesel Magazine.

Gallery: Neil Young's LincVolt

[Source: Biodiesel Magazine | Thanks to Biodiesel Magazine for the images]

Neil Young's LincVolt goes on display in Florida originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford VP: "You can't sell a hybrid in today's market"

Eric Loveday — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, Lincoln, Green Daily

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

On several occasions in the past, Ford Motor Company execs have reiterated the company's stance on electrified vehicles, saying that 25 percent of its global sales in 2020 will come courtesy of vehicles that feature battery power. Even the company's director of global electrification, Nancy Gioia, stood behind this assertion, stating:

We have now embedded electrification...including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles, any vehicle where electricity directly displaces oil or a liquid fuel...This is strategic. This is not just an image vehicle, or an image technology. It's not a science experiment. It is embedded into the fabric of our company, along with other technologies...Long term we see electrification as part of the fuel diversity plan going forward.

Ford's interest in battery-powered vehicles and, more specifically, its hybrid-heavy lineup, indicates that the company believes gas-electric technology is a core part of the brand. This fall, the Lincoln MKZ hybrid will bolster Ford's lineup of gas-electric vehicles and also become the first hybrid that doesn't command a price hike over its gasoline counterpart. With all of this in mind, the words of Ford's vice president of global marketing, Jim Farley, seem quite damning. Farley recently told Automotive News, "You can't sell a hybrid in today's market." Farley's admission even includes the MKZ hybrid, which is odd. Automotive News writer Jamie LaReau recounts the rooftop conversation with Farley that took place during the MKZ's unveiling:

When I reminded Farley he's about to launch a hybrid, he calmly acknowledged that Ford expects to sell 10,000 or so MKZ hybrids -- even though Lincoln won't charge a premium for the sedan's gas-electric powertrain. Ford is launching the car because it's the smart thing to do and it rounds out the product lineup.

Farley said because gas prices are low, buyers are less willing to pay the so-called "hybrid premium" when the cost of gasoline remains consistently low. Even with the Lincoln MKZ hybrid's price parity, the reality is that its base price is $35,180, still beyond the means of many buyers in today's cash-strapped economy.

[Source: Hybrid Cars, Automotive News - sub. req.]

Ford VP: "You can't sell a hybrid in today's market" originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

First Drive: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lincoln, In The AutoblogGreen Garage

Shows other luxury hybrids how it's done

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

On the whole, luxury manufacturers just can't seem to figure out what to do with hybrid drivetrains. Sure, there's some vague notion of improved fuel economy, but for every fuel-sipping Lexus HS250h, there's a 455-horsepower, 26-mpg BMW ActiveHybrid 750i to balance the scales. Part of the problem is that fuel economy and luxury traditionally play as well together as 50 Cent and KC and the Sunshine Band. High-end autos are synonymous with power, weight and cabins large enough to comfortably raise a middle-class family, while their miserly counterparts tend to be tinny contraptions with the driving dynamics of low-rent washing machines.

But that doesn't mean there aren't automakers trying to meld the two. One of the big buzz phrases making its way around automotive circles right now is "The 'And' Car." That is, a vehicle capable of being all things to all people through the miracle of technology. Lincoln believes it's come up with just such a creation in the 2011 MKZ Hybrid - a sedan that bests the fuel economy of the competition by a wide margin and provides all of the luxury amenities buyers demand. The question is, have they pulled it off? (this post continues after the jump)

Photos copyright (C)2010 Zach Bowman / AOL

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

First Drive: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid priced at $35,180, same as V6 model

Autoblog Staff — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lincoln

2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Lincoln has dropped a bit of a surprise with the pricing of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid. Unlike most other hybrid vehicles, there will be no price premium compared to the cheapest conventional model. The MKZ hybrid will start at $35,180, including destination and delivery, the same price as the front wheel drive 3.5-liter V6 model.

That puts the price at about $350 under the base Lexus HS250h. With city fuel economy that is six miles per gallon better than the Lexus and, arguably, much more attractive styling, the Lincoln hybrid may well find itself with quite a following in the marketplace.

[Source: Lincoln]

Continue reading 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid priced at $35,180, same as V6 model

2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid priced at $35,180, same as V6 model originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2011 Lincoln MKX gets best in class mileage, 19/26 mpg with V6, Ecoboost still to come

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:07:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Ford, Lincoln

2011 Lincoln MKX - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has managed to achieve best-in-class EPA mileage ratings (at least for the moment) for its revamped 2011 Lincoln MKX, and presumably the mechanically identical Ford Edge as well. The Feds have published the estimated mileage numbers for the 3.7-liter V6-powered version of the midsize crossover with urban driving yielding 19 mpg and highway 26 mpg. That's a boost of 1 mpg in each case, despite the fact that the 3.7-liter V6 has gone from 265 horsepower to 305 hp with its newly installed direct injection system and deceleration fuel shutoff.

The big mileage news for the MKX and Edge are yet to come though. At their introductions earlier this year, Ford announced that the base engine for both models would be the new 2.0-liter Ecoboost inline-four. That engine is expected to be rated at about 230 hp and yield several more miles per gallon. We're sure Ford will be trickling those numbers out in the coming weeks.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2011 Lincoln MKX gets best in class mileage, 19/26 mpg with V6, Ecoboost still to come

2011 Lincoln MKX gets best in class mileage, 19/26 mpg with V6, Ecoboost still to come originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid officially rated at 41 mpg city / 36 mpg hwy

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, MPG, Lincoln

2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

In what should be a surprise to no one, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid has been officially certified by the EPA as the most fuel efficient luxury sedan in the U.S. market. Given that the MKZ is really little more than a very gussied up Fusion hybrid, including an identical powertrain, we fully expected the same 41 mile per gallon city and 36 mpg highway numbers for the Lincoln.

Those numbers put the MKZ well ahead of its closest competitor, the Lexus HS250h, which is rated 35/34 mpg. Depending on how you view the dubious aesthetics of the Lexus, its unique styling does set it apart from the rest of its siblings which may or may not be an advantage. Aside from some subtle badging, the MKZ hybrid is indistinguishable from its conventional siblings. The MKZ does get an enhanced version of the SmartGauge system in the Fusion that adds long-term fuel efficiency indicators to all of the other information available. The MKZ hybrid goes on sale in the fall as Mercury Milan production winds down.

[Source: Lincoln]

Continue reading 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid officially rated at 41 mpg city / 36 mpg hwy

2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid officially rated at 41 mpg city / 36 mpg hwy originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid gets updated SmartGauge with apple blossoms

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, MPG, Lincoln

When the 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid goes on sale this fall, it will have an updated version of the SmartGauge that debuted last year on the Ford Fusion hybrid. The basics of SmartGauge remain the same, with a pair of 4.3 LCD displays flanking a central speedometer. The LCDs can display several layers of information detail to help coach the driver to be a more efficient motorist.

The most obvious change the color palette for the LCD gauges. They have been changed from a predominantly blue scheme to what Lincoln officials describe as a more upscale-looking green and gold. The leaves on the right of the display have been present since the introduction of system on the Fusion and provide a graphical representation of the short-term average fuel economy. The more thrifty your driving style, the more leaves you get. Behave like a lead-foot and they dissolve.

SmartGauge now also provides an indication of long-term efficiency. The flowers that are visible on the display are apple blossoms (the Michigan state flower). If your average mileage is sufficient (Ford won't say what kind of mileage you actually need), the first flowers will begin to appear after 4-6 weeks. The flowers first appear as buds and then grow into small and finally large flowers. More flowers appear over time but the more you get, the more time it will take to earn more. If you earn all of the flowers you will have saved about $8,000 in fuel costs and 30 tons of CO2 over the life of the car. That's a digital achievement to be proud of.

[Source: Ford]

2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid gets updated SmartGauge with apple blossoms originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford kills Mercury, will make Lincoln the most efficient luxury brand

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 17:15:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Ford, Lincoln

Lincoln Concept C - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford Motor Company is finally getting serious about making Lincoln a top notch premium brand to compete with the likes of Lexus and Cadillac. To make that happen, the Blue Oval will introduce seven all new or heavily refreshed models to the Lincoln lineup in the next four years, each of which it claims will have segment-leading fuel efficiency.

Ford's plans for Lincoln include offering Ecoboost engines in every model as well as new exclusive powerplants and advanced transmissions. Ford has already previously committed to having six-speed automatic transmissions in all of its models by 2012 and the rejuvenated Lincolns will likely be the first to move to seven- or eight-speed gearboxes. Even the massive Navigator full-size SUV will get an Ecoboost V6 sometime after it debuts in the F150 pickup truck later this year.

This announcement also brings confirmation that Lincoln will get its first ever C-segment vehicle built on the next-generation Ford Focus platform. That car may be based on the Concept C that was shown at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. Lincoln is also getting its hybrid this fall when the MKZ hybrid goes on sale.

In order to free up the engineering resources to put all of this effort into Lincoln, Ford finally bit the bullet today and pulled the plug on the Mercury brand. Mercury hasn't had an exclusive model since the Cougar was discontinued in 2002, and its sales have dropped by more than 70 percent in the past several years. Mercury production will end later this year.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Lincoln Concept C

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford kills Mercury, will make Lincoln the most efficient luxury brand

Ford kills Mercury, will make Lincoln the most efficient luxury brand originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 02 Jun 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cadillac not concerned with Lincoln MKZ hybrid launch, Converj status unchanged

Eric Loveday — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Cadillac, Lincoln, Green Daily

2009 Cadillac Converj concept - Click above for high-res gallery

Ford Motor Company recently unveiled its Lincoln MKZ Hybrid at the New York Auto Show. The vehicle will become the brand's first entry into the luxury hybrid vehicle segment, a segment dominated by Lexus products. For Ford, the move to enter the segment may be risky and sales volume could be quite low. With Ford entering the segment, how will General Motors respond? According to Don Butler, a Cadillac marketer, the brand is not concerned with the MKZ Hybrid's introduction and the vehicle's unveiling will have no impact on Cadillac's current alternative powertrain plans. As Butler said in an interview with Ward's Auto:

We don't want to do a hybrid just to do a hybrid. And we don't want to just take something and put another badge on it and say, 'There's our hybrid.' It needs to be purpose-driven. We need to do what makes sense for Cadillac and its brand. You can expect alternative powertrains in Cadillac's not-so-distant future. It's not like we are moving away.

Of course, if Cadillac did want to respond to the MKZ Hybrid, they could simply put the green light back on for the Cadillac Converj concept. The Converj, using powertrain components from the Chevrolet Volt, could come to market quickly and be ready to take on the MKZ. The Converj would utilize the advanced extended range setup as opposed to the Lincoln's more traditional hybrid powertrain and would likely cost significantly more, but the added benefits of the Voltec system could lure potential MKZ buyers to the Cadillac brand. Hint to Cadillac, build the Converj!

[Source: Ward's Auto]

Cadillac not concerned with Lincoln MKZ hybrid launch, Converj status unchanged originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: Lincoln MKZ hybrid a low volume seller, 4,000 sounds about right

Eric Loveday — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 10:54:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lincoln, Green Daily

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford unveiled its newest hybrid offering, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid at the New York Auto Show. For Ford, the vehicle will become the company's first luxury hybrid product in a segment dominated by the Lexus brand. Dominated is a relative term here, as luxury hybrid vehicles have had a difficult time capturing any significant sales volumes. For example, the top-selling luxury hybrid on the market, the Lexus HS 250h, has managed just 8,658 total sales since its introduction in August of 2009. So, what can Ford expect of the sales volume of the Lincoln MKZ hybrid?

If past trends are any indication, and they usually are, the MKZ hybrid will be a low-volume seller at best. As Ward's Auto pointed out, past data shows that luxury hybrids typically account for no more than 25 percent of total sales of a particular model. For example, the Cadillac Escalade hybrid accounted for 23.2 percent of all Escalade sales. The Lexus RX 400h and 450h hybrids accounted for 14.5 percent of all RX sales. No other Lexus hybrid, save for the HS 250h, accounted for more than 10 percent of the models total sales volume.

So where will the MKZ hybrid stand? Initial analysis shows that the MKZ should generate 27,000 sales per year. If hybrids account for 15 percent of all deliveries, the MKZ hybrid total sales will ring in at 4,000 units per year, not much and not a significant player in the Ford lineup of vehicles, but it looks like it could be a great vehicle nonetheless.

[Source: Ward's Auto]

Report: Lincoln MKZ hybrid a low volume seller, 4,000 sounds about right originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 10:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments