Lincoln LS sports sedan acts lively with new hardware aboard
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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MONTAGUE, N.J. -- Wheels squeal in protest from some hard curves as we run down a narrow trace on the Jersey side of the Delaware River while testing the taut new steering mechanism aboard Lincoln's LS, as in Luxury Sport.
This is the athletic American car tinged by the flavor of responsive European sports sedans.
With four doors and mid-size dimensions in a cabin for five, the tightly tuned sports machine from Lincoln in revamped editions for 2003 rides on a rigid unibody structure and features liberal applications of light-weight aluminum for body panels and suspension elements.
It delivers more muscle from either a V6 or V8 powertrain, thanks to variable valve timing that boosts the output and makes all cylinders run smoothly.
The LS also sports a German-built ZF Servotronic rack-and-pinion steering apparatus, electronic brake assist (BA) and options like high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and a curtain-style air bag system in the headliner.
Only subtle changes appear with new face and tail treatments, plus dual exhaust tail pipes capped by bright chrome tips.
Yet the majority of all improvements to 2003 LS models involve mechanical enhancements that cannot be detected by casual observation.
Instead, these changes must be experienced by steering an LS over a curvy course.
This gives reason to our run down the twisty river road with Michelin Pilot 18-inch HX MXM4 tires -- touted for their extreme cornering ability -- squawking as we cut the steering wheel from left to right to left again while winding through all of those turns.
Steering through the speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion system feels more precise now and notably stiffer in response to movements of the steering wheel.
Coupled to the stiffer steering action is an improved ride quality effected by retuning the suspension's forward lower control arm bushings, adding larger dampers that check lateral body motion when cornering and twin-tube shocks with internal rebound springs at the tail for stability.
The suspension geometry is also set to limit front-end dive when braking or rear-end lift when accelerating.
Then the optional Sport edition suspension applies faster shock damping rates, larger stabilizer bars in front and back plus a quicker ratio for the steering gear.
Aiding the agile nature of LS is a chassis balance with weight distributed evenly over front and rear tires.
Brakes are better too, all to match the power boost.
With a disc at every wheel and links to a computerized anti-lock brake system (ABS) plus electronic brake distribution (EBD), the brakes feel better at the pedal with reduced effort required to put them to work.
In addition, Lincoln's AdvanceTrac dynamic stability control system -- which adjusts the brake and throttle automatically to correct potentially dangerous lateral skidding behavior -- is available.
With AdvanceTrac comes the emergency brake assist device that can sense when sudden braking occurs and act automatically during the panic stop with full brake force to abbreviate the stopping distance.
Engines for the LS contain either six or eight cylinders and 2003 editions gain a drive-by-wire electronic throttle control (ETC) in place of the usual cable connection for a consistently smooth flow of power.
The entry model LS stocks a 3.0-liter 60-degree V6, which comes out of an engine plant in Cleveland, O. It has twin cams and four valves per cylinder, with a chain camshaft drive.
This year's version increases the power by 12 points to 232 hp at 6750 rpm, with 220 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm, a boost of 5 lb-ft worked over a wider band.
The 3.9-liter aluminum V8 -- also assembled at the Ohio engine factory -- features dual cams and produces 280 hp at 4000 rpm, a gain of 28 power points.
Torque for the V8 runs to 286 lb-ft at 4000 rpm.
It's capable of propelling the car from a stoplight start to 60 mph in less than eight seconds.
Either engine links to a quiet five-speed electronic automatic transmission, with H-gate SelectShift controls added to the V8 version for clutch-less manual shifting.
The design for LS revolves around a rear-drive platform developed by Lincoln's parent, Ford Motor Company, and shared jointly between Lincoln and another brand owned by Ford, Jaguar of England. The two cars, Lincoln LS and Jaguar S-Type, also share some mechanical components, including the V6 engine.
Despite these mutual elements, exterior styling for LS, treatment of the cabin and the car's active personality remain exclusive and unique to Lincoln.
The external design seems like an elegant understatement of classic proportions with brief overhangs, an exaggerated wheelbase length and a broad track. Forceful body forms, accented by wide wheel openings and a graceful arch over the cabin, shape the athletic stance.
Inside, the tailored passenger compartment exhibits an international flair in a leather-lined layout with two bucket seats up front and a rear bench with twin sculptured spaces and the seatback foldable with a 60/40 split.
The bolstered buckets feel firm like fine German seats and adjust infinitely with power controls and optional memory settings.
Genuine American burl walnut wood trims the cockpit with satin nickel accents also used in an optional decor package, as classic analog gauges -- including a tachometer -- decorate the instrument panel.
Pedals that adjust under electric power controls are now standard equipment, as is a new electronic parking brake plus one-touch power up and down front windows, while heated and cooled front seats are a new option for 2003, as are heated rear seats.
Another option on the LS top model Premium Sport is an audiophile-quality Lucasfilm THX premium audio system available with Lincoln's DVD-based navigation kit.
The LS appears in two trims each for V6 and V8 versions: A base LS V6 and LS Premium or the LS V8 Sport and Premium Sport.
Pricing begins at $34,495 and rises to $43,995 for the V8 Premium Sport.
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| 2003 LINCOLN LS VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Mid-size sports sedan
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| Model Options: |
Mid-size sports sedan
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| Wheelbase: |
114.5 inches
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| Overall Length: |
193.9 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 3.0-L V6
DOHC 3.9-L V8
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| Transmission: |
V6: Auto/5
V8: Auto/5/SelectShift
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| Drive: |
Rear
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc/ABS/TCS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + 2 (side)
+ opt. 4 (side curtain)
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| Gas Mileage: |
V6: 20/26 mpg
V8: 18/25 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 35,000 to $ 47,000 |
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