Lincoln MKZ: Difference between revisions

[[File:2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid with badging WAS 2011 859.jpg|thumb|left|Lincoln MKZ Hybrid with leaf road logo badging used in the hybrid version.]]

The 2011 MKZ Hybrid was unveiled at the 2010 [[New York International Auto Show]],<ref name=GCC0310>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/03/mkzhybrid-20100330.html|title=Ford Introduces 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid; Projected 41 mpg City|publisher=[[Green Car Congress]] |date=2010-03-31|accessdate=2010-04-05}}</ref> and sales began in September 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hybridcars.com/hybrid-clean-diesel-sales-dashboard/september-2010.html|title=September 2010 Dashboard: Hybrid Sales Slide, While Clean Diesel Continues Growth|publisher=HybridCars.com|date=2010-10-05|accessdate=2010-10-05}}</ref> It is the first Lincoln [[hybrid electric vehicle]] and the first Lincoln model with a 4four-cylinder engine; andit delivers an [[U.S. EPA|EPA]] city rating of {{convert|41|mpgUS|abbr=on}} and a highway rating of {{convert|36|mpgUS|abbr=on}}, which made it the most [[Fuel economy in automobiles|fuel -efficient]] [[Luxury vehicle|luxury sedan]] in the U.S. until the release of the 2011 [[Lexus CT|Lexus CT 200h]] in March 2011.<ref name=GCC_EPA>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2010/06/2011-lincoln-mkz-hybrid-eparated-at-41-mpg-city36-mpg-highway-most-fuel-efficient-luxury-sedan-in-us.html#more|title=2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid EPA-Rated at 41 mpg City/36 mpg Highway; Most Fuel Efficient Luxury Sedan in US |publisher=[[Green Car Congress]]|date=2010-06-16 |accessdate=2010-06-16}}</ref> The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid carries over the [[hybrid powertrain]] from the [[Ford Fusion Hybrid|Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids]], including the 2.5 -L [[Ford Duratec engine|Duratec]] [[Inline-four engine|I4]] with the electric motor producing a total of {{convert|191|hp|abbr=on}}.<ref name=GCC0310/><ref name=MT0310/>

The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid has an [[all-electric range|E.V.EV mode]] that allows the car to travel short distances on electricity alone, at speeds up to {{Convert|47|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name=NYTMKZ/> The MKZ Hybrid offers an improvement of Ford's [[Ford Fusion Hybrid#SmartGauge for eco driving|Smart Gauge with EcoGuide]], first introduced in the 2010 Fusion Hybrid. The MKZ Smart Gauge version offersoffered a new "Flower" design compared to the "Leaf" design of the Fusion. In essence, the car rewards youthe driver with flower blossoms for economiceconomical driving/driving habits.<ref name=GCC0310/><ref name=MT0310>{{cite web|url=http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/new_york/2010/1003_2011_lincoln_mkz_hybrid/index.html |title=2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid|publisher=[[Motor Trend]]|date=March 2010|author=Mike Floyd|accessdate=2010-04-05}}</ref>

The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is marketed by [[Ford]] as a competitor to the [[Lexus HS 250h]] and [[Lexus ES]] Hybrid.<ref>[http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/lincoln-fighting-noticed-takes-lexus-ads-featuring-mkz-104901415--finance.html?.tsrc=lgwgr.pensionhotel.com/startdownload-06.-Secgr.pensionhotel.com/hotel-brno-astorkaked-ATCHEN.TTF-]</ref> As of July 2011, the MKZ Hybrid iswas the only hybrid in the market with the same price as its conventional gasoline-engine version of the car.<ref name=NYTMKZ>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/automobiles/upwardly-mobile-hybrids-splurging-while-saving-gas.html?_r=1&emc=eta1|title=Upwardly Mobile Hybrids: Splurging While Saving Gas |author=Jerry Garrett|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=2011-07-22|accessdate=2011-07-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/22/is-this-the-end-of-the-hybrid-price-premium/?hpw|title=Is This the End of the Hybrid Price Premium? |author=Jim Motavalli|publisher=New York Times|date=2010-07-22|accessdate=2010-07-25}}</ref> Ford reported that until June 2011, about 20% of 2011 MKZ sales have been hybrids, and the market share is even higher in markets where hybrids in general sell well, such as the [[Greater Los Angeles Area|Los Angeles region]], where sales of the hybrid model represent 44%, and the [[San Francisco Bay Area|San Francisco area]], with a market share of 66%.<ref name=NYTMKZ/> The MKZ Hybrid base price is {{USD|35,520}}, and with popular options including a [[sunroof]], [[navigation system]], [[blind spot monitor]]s, a [[THX]] surround-sound stereo, and a [[backup camera]], the price rises to {{USD|41,370}}.<ref name=NYTMKZ/>

A complete redesign of the Ford Fusion line-up iswas scheduled for the 2013 [[model year]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fordautoshow.com/car/2012-ford-fusion-review/|title=2012 Ford Fusion Review|publisher=Ford Auto Show|date=2011-05-27|accessdate=2011-06-13}}</ref> Both the Lincoln MKZ and the Fusion Hybrid are expected to use a new compact [[lithium-ion battery]] pack and an updated powertrain that is expected to deliver a higher [[fuel economy in automobiles|fuel economy]] of up to 47 to 48&nbsp;mpg_US (4.9 to 5.0&nbsp;L/100&nbsp;km; 56 to 58&nbsp;mpg_imp) highway. The next -generation Lincoln MKZ Hybrid iswas expected to be launched by mid-2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://green.autoblog.com/2011/06/13/report-next-gen-ford-fusion-hybrid-to-get-up-to-48-mpg-highway/|title=Report: Next-gen Ford Fusion Hybrid to get up to 48 mpg highway|author=Eric Loveday|publisher=[[AutoblogGreen]]|date=2011-06-13|accessdate=2011-06-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1061471_all-new-2013-ford-fusion-hybrid-to-get-47-48-city-mpg-report|title=All-New 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid To Get 47-48 City MPG: Report|author=John Voelcker|publisher=GreenCarReports|date=2011-06-13|accessdate=2011-06-13}}</ref> The 2013 MKZ [[concept car]] was unveiled at the 2012 [[North American International Auto Show]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1064851_2013-lincoln-mkz-concept-coming-to-2012-detroit-auto-show|title=2013 Lincoln MKZ Concept Coming to 2012 Detroit Auto Show |author=Kurt Ernst|publisher=Green Car Reports|date=2011-08-12|accessdate=2011-08-13}}</ref>

The MKZ Hybrid was one of the five finalists for the 2011 [[Green Car of the Year]] awarded by the ''[[Green Car Journal]]'' in November 2010, which was won by the [[Chevrolet Volt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greencar.com/articles/chevrolet-volt-electric-car-2011-green-car-year.php|title=Chevrolet Volt Electric Car is 2011 Green Car of the Year|publisher=[[Green Car Journal]]|date=2010-11-18|accessdate=2010-11-18}}</ref> In its 2011 [[Hybrid Scorecard]], the [[Union of Concerned Scientists]] (UCS) ranked the MKZ Hybrid, together with the [[Lexus CT200h]], as the top luxury hybrid models in the scorecard’s environmental improvement category, an achievement the UCS attributed to their relatively small gasoline engines.<ref name=NYTUCS11>{{cite news|url=http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/07/scientists-demand-improved-hybrid-performance-from-automakers/?emc=eta1|title=Scientists Demand Improved Hybrid Performance From Automakers |author=Cheryl Jensen |work=[[''The New York Times]]'' |date=2011-07-07 |accessdate=2011-07-23}}</ref> Nevertheless, the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid ranked higher than the Lexus on all factors: consumer value, hybrid technology, fuel efficiency, and pollution reduction. Also, the UCS praised the MKZ Hybrid, together with the [[Hyundai Sonata Hybrid]], because both hybrids arewere available with few or no forced features that inflateinflated the cost without adding to fuel savings or reducing emissions.<ref name=NYTMKZ/> The UCS's Hybrid Scorecard ratings for the MKZ Hybrid are higher than the non-luxurynonluxury [[Toyota Prius]] for environmental performance, and hybrid valevalue; both are rated the same for forced features; and the Prius scores higher in fuel economy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hybridcenter.org/hybrid-scorecard/#UCS_Hybrid_Scorecard|title=Hybrid Scorecard|author= [[Union of Concerned Scientists]]|publisher=HybridCenter.org|accessdate=2011-07-23}}</ref>