Ford has unveiled a facelifted version of its Lincoln MKX mid-size crossover, which comes into the 2011 model year wearing the brand’s new signature DNA. The freshening of the 2011 Lincoln MKX extends to all areas of the vehicle, with new features and technologies not available anywhere else, a new interior and exterior design, a new powertrain and an assortment of other improvements.
From the front alone, the 2011 Lincoln MKX now looks like a completely different vehicle, as it gets the more distinctive, “split wing” grille plus a completely new front fascia. Additionally, newly available HID headlamps and LED tail-lamps, plus the newly contoured fenders and hood, give it crisper details, and otherwise in back new four-inch-oval exhaust tips help give it a more aggressive look.
Power for the 2011 Lincoln MKX is supplied by Ford’s latest 3.7-liter Duratec V-6, which employs new technologies such as Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing (Ti-VCT) to increase horsepower and torque without compromising fuel economy.
Peak output has been increased to 305-horsepower and 280-pound-feet of torque, which are up 15% and 12%, respectively, over the 2010 model. Drive is sent to all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic transmission with pseudo manual mode and together with the new engine the 2011 Lincoln MKX will return a fuel economy of up to 25 mpg on the highway.
The biggest change to the interior has to be the new touch-sensitive instrument panel, which designers have used to replace a number of traditional center-stack controls. The new interface system combines a number of existing technologies, including the Sync system, into a single connected driver experience and is offered as standard.
The facelifted MKX is on display this week at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, with first sales to start later this year.
[Lincoln]
