Lincoln MKX
Encyclopedia
The Lincoln MKX is a mid-size luxury crossover (CUV) from Ford's
Lincoln
division and a de facto successor to the Lincoln Aviator
luxury SUV
. It debuted as a 2007 model
in December 2006 as a production version of the Lincoln Aviator Concept shown at the 2004 North American International Auto Show
. Other than unique styling and some premium features, the MKX is closely related to its sister vehicle
the Ford Edge
, sharing Ford's CD3
platform
, powertrain, body panels, and other design elements. The MKX is of unibody
construction and is natively front-wheel drive
with available all-wheel drive. Its sole powertrain is a 3.5 L Duratec
V6
mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission
. The MKX can seat up to five people. The MKX is a stark contrast to its predecessor, the Aviator, which was based on the Ford Explorer
's rear-wheel drive
and four-wheel drive
body-on-frame
platform, came with a standard V8
, and was larger with seating for up to seven people. The 2007 MKX debuted with a base MSRP
of $35,770 USD
, ranging up to the mid-$40,000 USD
range when fully optioned. The MKX is built alongside its Ford Edge sibling at Ford's Oakville Assembly Plant in Oakville, Ontario
, Canada
.
as a new and much different iteration of the Lincoln Aviator
. In a significant departure from the larger, Explorer
-based Aviator that was already in production at the time, the Aviator Concept was smaller and more car-like, being based on Ford's natively front-wheel drive
CD3
platform (the concept featured an all-wheel drive system). The sole powertrain of the Aviator Concept was Ford's new 3.5 L Duratec
DOHC V6
(still under development at the time) mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission
. The concept's V6 was rated at 245 hp and 240 lbft. The Aviator Concept also differed from the production Aviator stylistically with an all-new grille design, inspired by those of classic Lincolns like the 1961 Continental
, and an innovative glass roof. As a crossover, as opposed to an SUV
, the Aviator Concept was designed to appeal to luxury buyers who might normally consider vehicles such as the Infiniti FX
or Lexus RX
.
Development of a production version of the Aviator Concept was authorized with a sales debut set for late 2006. Along with a number of revisions to the concept in the process of creating the production model, the Aviator received a new name: MKX. The new name followed a new nomenclature
developed by Lincoln to mimic the alphanumeric
naming schemes used by other luxury automakers like Lexus
and Acura
. The MKZ luxury sedan was the first Lincoln to follow this nomenclature, being closely followed by the MKX. Management at Lincoln originally announced the MKX with a "Mark-Eks" pronunciation during the 2006 auto show circuit, but eventually changed it to the phonetic "em-kay-eks" due to confusion observed among focus groups and dealership personnel. Due to the similarity of the MKX name, regardless of pronunciation, to the MDX name used by Acura for their competing luxury crossover, Honda
, Acura's parent company, filed a lawsuit against Ford in January of 2006, eventually settling the case out of court.
. Many of the design elements of the MKX were carried over, albeit with some revision, from the 2004 Lincoln Aviator Concept, including the vehicle's Continental-inspired grille, V6 powertrain, glass roof, and overall shape. In addition to the chrome, Continental-inspired grille, the MKX's front fascia features jeweled projector-beam headlight assemblies with standard chrome-accented fog lights mounted in the lower fascia. The MKX features an optional adaptive headlight system that pivots the aim of the light projectors to match the steering inputs of the driver, improving visibility when turning corners. In the rear, the MKX features dual chrome exhaust tips and brake lights backlit by LEDs
with a light bar that crosses the MKX's liftgate, creating a bridge between the brake lights. In spite the differences in the front and rear ends, the MKX's beltline and greenhouse
are very similar to that of the Edge, reducing some the stylistic distinctiveness that the MKX enjoys over its lower-priced sibling. The optional Panoramic Vista Roof is the production version of the glass roof feature shown on the 2004 Aviator Concept. The Vista Roof features a forward power sunroof and a fixed rear moonroof with dual power sunshades. Though a first on a Lincoln vehicle, the Vista Roof is also available on the Ford Edge.
The MKX's interior design is differentiated from the Edge with a layout and materials comparable to that of the Lincoln MKZ. Like the MKZ's interior, the interior of the MKX features standard leather seating surfaces and satin nickel trim and real wood accents in the steering wheel, dash area, and door panels. Complementing its premium materials and appearance, the MKX features thick carpeting and extensive sound-deadening to provide a quiet ride. Other luxury conveniences include automatic headlights, dual power heated mirrors with puddle lamps, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power windows with single touch up and down functions and Global Open (opens all windows simultaneously), power locks, remote keyless entry with keypad, theater dimming for the interior lights, cruise control, air conditioning with automatic climate control, 8-way power drive and passenger seats, a message center with compass, and a six speaker, AM/FM stereo radio with a 6-disc CD changer. Interior options include power driver and passenger lumbar supports, heated front seats, heated and cooled front seats (separate option), heated rear seats, an Easy Fold automatic folding second-row seat, a reverse sensing system, a power liftgate, a DVD-based navigation system, Sirius satellite radio
, and a THX
II-Certified audio system with 14 speakers. MKX's safety features include a tire pressure monitoring system, three-point seat belts, dual front-side airbags, front seat-deployed side airbags, and Safety Canopy curtain airbags.
Mechanically, the Lincoln MKX is virtually identical to the Ford Edge. Both vehicles share Ford's CD3
platform, featuring a rigid unibody construction that provides good driving dynamics and strong structural integrity for durability and safety. A four-wheel independent suspension
is also common between the MKX and Edge with a MacPherson strut
front suspension with L-shaped lower control arms and a four-link rear suspension with stamped steel control blades and monotube shocks. Both the front and rear suspensions feature an isolated subframe and stabilizer bar. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are standard in all models with Ford's AdvanceTrac traction control system
with Roll Stability Control
(RSC) optional. The MKX and Edge are front-wheel drive
standard with all-wheel drive optional. The MKX comes with standard 18-inch machined aluminum wheels with 18-inch chrome wheels optional. The sole powertrain in the MKX is an all-aluminum
, 3.5 L Duratec
DOHC V6
mated to Ford's 6F50
6-speed automatic transmission
. Like the Edge, which shares the powertrain, the MKX's engine produces 265 hp at 6,250 rpm and 250 lbft of torque at 4,500 rpm; noticeable improvements over what the Aviator Concept's engine was rated at. The MKX, Edge, and Lincoln MKZ were the first recipients of Ford's 3.5 L Duratec V6. Front-wheel drive versions of the MKX come with a 19 US gal (72 l; 16 imp gal) fuel tank while all-wheel drive models come with a 20 US gal (76 l; 17 imp gal) fuel tank. The MKX has a base curb weight of 4220 lb (1,914.2 kg) when front-wheel drive only and 4420 lb (2,004.9 kg) when equipped with all-wheel drive.
For 2008 the Lincoln MKX gained a number of new features and several previously optional features were now standard. In addition, the Lincoln badges are added near the front doors. New features included Lincoln SYNC
, Limited Edition and Monochromatic Limited Edition packages with unique styling elements and 20-inch chrome wheels, and a voice-activated DVD navigation system. Previously optional features that were now standard included AdvanceTrac with RSC, a reverse sensing system, Sirius satellite radio, the THX II-Certified audio system, heated and cooled front seats, and driver and passenger power lumbar supports. No major changes were made for the 2009 MKX.
, the next generation of the Ford Sync
system. A new 3.7L Duratec 37 engine is now available; it produces 305 hp and features Twin independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT)
.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
Lincoln
Lincoln (automobile)
Lincoln is an American luxury vehicle brand of the Ford Motor Company. Lincoln vehicles are sold mostly in North America.-History:The company was founded in August 1915 by Henry M. Leland, one of the founders of Cadillac . During World War I, he left Cadillac which was sold to General Motors...
division and a de facto successor to the Lincoln Aviator
Lincoln Aviator
The Lincoln Aviator was a mid-size sport utility vehicle produced by the Ford Motor Company's Lincoln luxury division. It was introduced in 2002, and production ended in 2005. The Aviator was built exclusively at Ford's St. Louis Assembly plant in Hazelwood, Missouri...
luxury SUV
Sport utility vehicle
A sport utility vehicle is a generic marketing term for a vehicle similar to a station wagon, but built on a light-truck chassis. It is usually equipped with four-wheel drive for on- or off-road ability, and with some pretension or ability to be used as an off-road vehicle. Not all four-wheel...
. It debuted as a 2007 model
Model year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
in December 2006 as a production version of the Lincoln Aviator Concept shown at the 2004 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
. Other than unique styling and some premium features, the MKX is closely related to its sister vehicle
Badge engineering
Badge engineering is an ironic term that describes the rebadging of one product as another...
the Ford Edge
Ford Edge
The Ford Edge is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by Ford, based on the Ford CD3 platform shared with previous generation Mazda6 and marketed in rebadged form as the Lincoln MKX...
, sharing Ford's CD3
Ford CD3 platform
The Ford CD3 platform is a Ford global midsize car automobile platform. It was designed by Mazda. The original Mazda chassis code for the CD3 platform is Mazda G platform, which Ford Motor Company has used every evolution of since 1983...
platform
Automobile platform
An automobile platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of automobiles, often from different, but related marques...
, powertrain, body panels, and other design elements. The MKX is of unibody
Monocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
construction and is natively front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
with available all-wheel drive. Its sole powertrain is a 3.5 L Duratec
Ford Duratec engine
The Duratec is a range of four, five, and six-cylinder gasoline engines produced by the Ford Motor Company, used in Ford, Mazda, Volvo, Caterham, Morgan, Tiger, Ginetta cars and by specialist engine tuner Cosworth....
V6
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. The MKX can seat up to five people. The MKX is a stark contrast to its predecessor, the Aviator, which was based on the Ford Explorer
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a sport-utility vehicle sold in North America and built by the Ford Motor Company since 1990, as a replacement for the smaller but related Ford Bronco II. It is manufactured in Chicago, Illinois...
's rear-wheel drive
Automobile layout
In automotive design, the automobile layout describes where on the vehicle the engine and drive wheels are found. Many different combinations of engine location and driven wheels are found in practice, and the location of each is dependent on the application the vehicle will be used for...
and four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
body-on-frame
Body-on-frame
Body-on-frame is an automobile construction method. Mounting a separate body to a rigid frame that supports the drivetrain was the original method of building automobiles, and its use continues to this day. The original frames were made of wood , but steel ladder frames became common in the 1930s...
platform, came with a standard V8
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
, and was larger with seating for up to seven people. The 2007 MKX debuted with a base MSRP
Suggested retail price
The manufacturer's suggested retail price , list price or recommended retail price of a product is the price which the manufacturer recommends that the retailer sell the product. The intention was to help to standardise prices among locations...
of $35,770 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
, ranging up to the mid-$40,000 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
range when fully optioned. The MKX is built alongside its Ford Edge sibling at Ford's Oakville Assembly Plant in Oakville, Ontario
Oakville, Ontario
Oakville is a town in Halton Region, on Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario, Canada, and is part of the Greater Toronto Area. As of the 2006 census the population was 165,613.-History:In 1793, Dundas Street was surveyed for a military road...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Development
The Lincoln MKX first appeared in concept form at the 2004 North American International Auto ShowNorth American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
as a new and much different iteration of the Lincoln Aviator
Lincoln Aviator
The Lincoln Aviator was a mid-size sport utility vehicle produced by the Ford Motor Company's Lincoln luxury division. It was introduced in 2002, and production ended in 2005. The Aviator was built exclusively at Ford's St. Louis Assembly plant in Hazelwood, Missouri...
. In a significant departure from the larger, Explorer
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a sport-utility vehicle sold in North America and built by the Ford Motor Company since 1990, as a replacement for the smaller but related Ford Bronco II. It is manufactured in Chicago, Illinois...
-based Aviator that was already in production at the time, the Aviator Concept was smaller and more car-like, being based on Ford's natively front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
CD3
Ford CD3 platform
The Ford CD3 platform is a Ford global midsize car automobile platform. It was designed by Mazda. The original Mazda chassis code for the CD3 platform is Mazda G platform, which Ford Motor Company has used every evolution of since 1983...
platform (the concept featured an all-wheel drive system). The sole powertrain of the Aviator Concept was Ford's new 3.5 L Duratec
Ford Duratec engine
The Duratec is a range of four, five, and six-cylinder gasoline engines produced by the Ford Motor Company, used in Ford, Mazda, Volvo, Caterham, Morgan, Tiger, Ginetta cars and by specialist engine tuner Cosworth....
DOHC V6
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
(still under development at the time) mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. The concept's V6 was rated at 245 hp and 240 lbft. The Aviator Concept also differed from the production Aviator stylistically with an all-new grille design, inspired by those of classic Lincolns like the 1961 Continental
Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental is an automobile which was produced by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 1939 to 1948 and again from 1956 to 2002...
, and an innovative glass roof. As a crossover, as opposed to an SUV
Sport utility vehicle
A sport utility vehicle is a generic marketing term for a vehicle similar to a station wagon, but built on a light-truck chassis. It is usually equipped with four-wheel drive for on- or off-road ability, and with some pretension or ability to be used as an off-road vehicle. Not all four-wheel...
, the Aviator Concept was designed to appeal to luxury buyers who might normally consider vehicles such as the Infiniti FX
Infiniti FX
The Infiniti FX is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV produced by the Nissan-owned Infiniti luxury vehicle brand since the 2003 model year. The FX replaced the QX4 as Infiniti's mid-size luxury-type SUV, although the QX4 was smaller than the FX. It was released at the same time as its competitors,...
or Lexus RX
Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is a crossover sport utility vehicle sold since 1998 by Lexus, the luxury division of the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota. Three generations of the Lexus RX have been produced to date, the first being compact in size, and the latter two classified as mid-size...
.
Development of a production version of the Aviator Concept was authorized with a sales debut set for late 2006. Along with a number of revisions to the concept in the process of creating the production model, the Aviator received a new name: MKX. The new name followed a new nomenclature
Nomenclature
Nomenclature is a term that applies to either a list of names or terms, or to the system of principles, procedures and terms related to naming - which is the assigning of a word or phrase to a particular object or property...
developed by Lincoln to mimic the alphanumeric
Alphanumeric
Alphanumeric is a combination of alphabetic and numeric characters, and is used to describe the collection of Latin letters and Arabic digits or a text constructed from this collection. There are either 36 or 62 alphanumeric characters. The alphanumeric character set consists of the numbers 0 to...
naming schemes used by other luxury automakers like Lexus
Lexus
is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...
and Acura
Acura
Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. The brand has been available in the United States and Canada since March 1986, marketing luxury, performance, and near-performance vehicles. It was introduced to Hong Kong in 1991, Mexico in 2004, and China in 2006...
. The MKZ luxury sedan was the first Lincoln to follow this nomenclature, being closely followed by the MKX. Management at Lincoln originally announced the MKX with a "Mark-Eks" pronunciation during the 2006 auto show circuit, but eventually changed it to the phonetic "em-kay-eks" due to confusion observed among focus groups and dealership personnel. Due to the similarity of the MKX name, regardless of pronunciation, to the MDX name used by Acura for their competing luxury crossover, Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
, Acura's parent company, filed a lawsuit against Ford in January of 2006, eventually settling the case out of court.
First generation (2007–present)
The 2007 MKX debuted in December 2006 as a luxury counterpart to the closely related Ford EdgeFord Edge
The Ford Edge is a mid-size crossover SUV manufactured by Ford, based on the Ford CD3 platform shared with previous generation Mazda6 and marketed in rebadged form as the Lincoln MKX...
. Many of the design elements of the MKX were carried over, albeit with some revision, from the 2004 Lincoln Aviator Concept, including the vehicle's Continental-inspired grille, V6 powertrain, glass roof, and overall shape. In addition to the chrome, Continental-inspired grille, the MKX's front fascia features jeweled projector-beam headlight assemblies with standard chrome-accented fog lights mounted in the lower fascia. The MKX features an optional adaptive headlight system that pivots the aim of the light projectors to match the steering inputs of the driver, improving visibility when turning corners. In the rear, the MKX features dual chrome exhaust tips and brake lights backlit by LEDs
Light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting...
with a light bar that crosses the MKX's liftgate, creating a bridge between the brake lights. In spite the differences in the front and rear ends, the MKX's beltline and greenhouse
Greenhouse (automotive term)
The greenhouse of a car comprises the windshield, rear and side windows, the more or less vertical pillars separating them , and the car's roof....
are very similar to that of the Edge, reducing some the stylistic distinctiveness that the MKX enjoys over its lower-priced sibling. The optional Panoramic Vista Roof is the production version of the glass roof feature shown on the 2004 Aviator Concept. The Vista Roof features a forward power sunroof and a fixed rear moonroof with dual power sunshades. Though a first on a Lincoln vehicle, the Vista Roof is also available on the Ford Edge.
The MKX's interior design is differentiated from the Edge with a layout and materials comparable to that of the Lincoln MKZ. Like the MKZ's interior, the interior of the MKX features standard leather seating surfaces and satin nickel trim and real wood accents in the steering wheel, dash area, and door panels. Complementing its premium materials and appearance, the MKX features thick carpeting and extensive sound-deadening to provide a quiet ride. Other luxury conveniences include automatic headlights, dual power heated mirrors with puddle lamps, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, power windows with single touch up and down functions and Global Open (opens all windows simultaneously), power locks, remote keyless entry with keypad, theater dimming for the interior lights, cruise control, air conditioning with automatic climate control, 8-way power drive and passenger seats, a message center with compass, and a six speaker, AM/FM stereo radio with a 6-disc CD changer. Interior options include power driver and passenger lumbar supports, heated front seats, heated and cooled front seats (separate option), heated rear seats, an Easy Fold automatic folding second-row seat, a reverse sensing system, a power liftgate, a DVD-based navigation system, Sirius satellite radio
Sirius Satellite Radio
Sirius Satellite Radio is a satellite radio service operating in North America, owned by Sirius XM Radio.Headquartered in New York City, with smaller studios in Los Angeles and Memphis, Sirius was officially launched on July 1, 2002 and currently provides 69 streams of music and 65 streams of...
, and a THX
THX
THX is a trade name of a high-fidelity audio/visual reproduction standard for movie theaters, screening rooms, home theaters, computer speakers, gaming consoles, and car audio systems. The current THX was created in 2001 when it spun off from Lucasfilm Ltd...
II-Certified audio system with 14 speakers. MKX's safety features include a tire pressure monitoring system, three-point seat belts, dual front-side airbags, front seat-deployed side airbags, and Safety Canopy curtain airbags.
Mechanically, the Lincoln MKX is virtually identical to the Ford Edge. Both vehicles share Ford's CD3
Ford CD3 platform
The Ford CD3 platform is a Ford global midsize car automobile platform. It was designed by Mazda. The original Mazda chassis code for the CD3 platform is Mazda G platform, which Ford Motor Company has used every evolution of since 1983...
platform, featuring a rigid unibody construction that provides good driving dynamics and strong structural integrity for durability and safety. A four-wheel independent suspension
Independent suspension
Independent suspension is a broad term for any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically independently of each other. This is contrasted with a beam axle, live axle or deDion axle system in which the wheels are linked – movement on one side affects...
is also common between the MKX and Edge with a MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut
The MacPherson strut is a type of car suspension system which uses the axis of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot. It is widely used in modern vehicles and named after Earle S. MacPherson, who developed the design.-History:...
front suspension with L-shaped lower control arms and a four-link rear suspension with stamped steel control blades and monotube shocks. Both the front and rear suspensions feature an isolated subframe and stabilizer bar. Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes are standard in all models with Ford's AdvanceTrac traction control system
Traction control system
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
with Roll Stability Control
Electronic stability control
Electronic stability control is a computerized technology that may potentially improve the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go...
(RSC) optional. The MKX and Edge are front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
standard with all-wheel drive optional. The MKX comes with standard 18-inch machined aluminum wheels with 18-inch chrome wheels optional. The sole powertrain in the MKX is an all-aluminum
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
, 3.5 L Duratec
Ford Duratec engine
The Duratec is a range of four, five, and six-cylinder gasoline engines produced by the Ford Motor Company, used in Ford, Mazda, Volvo, Caterham, Morgan, Tiger, Ginetta cars and by specialist engine tuner Cosworth....
DOHC V6
V6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
mated to Ford's 6F50
GM-Ford 6-speed automatic transmission
General Motors and Ford Motor Company cooperated in 2002 to create a new automatic transaxle, designed for transverse engine applications in cars and light trucks...
6-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. Like the Edge, which shares the powertrain, the MKX's engine produces 265 hp at 6,250 rpm and 250 lbft of torque at 4,500 rpm; noticeable improvements over what the Aviator Concept's engine was rated at. The MKX, Edge, and Lincoln MKZ were the first recipients of Ford's 3.5 L Duratec V6. Front-wheel drive versions of the MKX come with a 19 US gal (72 l; 16 imp gal) fuel tank while all-wheel drive models come with a 20 US gal (76 l; 17 imp gal) fuel tank. The MKX has a base curb weight of 4220 lb (1,914.2 kg) when front-wheel drive only and 4420 lb (2,004.9 kg) when equipped with all-wheel drive.
For 2008 the Lincoln MKX gained a number of new features and several previously optional features were now standard. In addition, the Lincoln badges are added near the front doors. New features included Lincoln SYNC
Ford Sync
Ford SYNC is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls and control music and other functions using voice commands...
, Limited Edition and Monochromatic Limited Edition packages with unique styling elements and 20-inch chrome wheels, and a voice-activated DVD navigation system. Previously optional features that were now standard included AdvanceTrac with RSC, a reverse sensing system, Sirius satellite radio, the THX II-Certified audio system, heated and cooled front seats, and driver and passenger power lumbar supports. No major changes were made for the 2009 MKX.
2011 facelift
The refreshened Lincoln MKX was first revealed at the 2010 North American Auto Show in Detroit on January 11, 2010. The new MKX features redesigned front and rear fascia designs, a new interior, and MyLincoln TouchMyFord Touch
MyFord Touch is an in-car communications and entertainment system developed by the Ford Motor Company and Microsoft. The technology comes factory installed with Ford's product offerings and is based on the Microsoft Auto 4.0 software platform. It is regarded as the next-generation of Ford Sync...
, the next generation of the Ford Sync
Ford Sync
Ford SYNC is a factory-installed, integrated in-vehicle communications and entertainment system that allows users to make hands-free telephone calls and control music and other functions using voice commands...
system. A new 3.7L Duratec 37 engine is now available; it produces 305 hp and features Twin independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT)
Variable valve timing
In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing , also known as Variable valve actuation , is a generalized term used to describe any mechanism or method that can alter the shape or timing of a valve lift event within an internal combustion engine...
.
Sales
| Calendar Year | American sales |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 859 |
| 2007 | 37,953 |
| 2008 | 29,076 |
| 2009 | 21,433 |
| 2010 | 21,932 |