But first of all, the exterior styling upgrades. Well, the 2010 MKZ features a new sport version which is equipped with new sport suspension tuning with stiffer springs and extended stabilizer bars, 18-inch Euroflange polished wheels, redesigned grille plus darkened headlamps.
"The new MKZ improves on the success of the current vehicle with Lincoln's new signature look, appointments that amplify and expand the Lincoln portfolio and a faster, more refined powertrain," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas.
"We've increased the luxury feel and improved on what was already a great interior. We have a new interior theme with all-new primary touchpoints, complemented by new features and technologies that make the 2010 Lincoln MKZ stand out in the competitive mid-size segment,” Peter Horbury, executive director of Design, The Americas, added.
Getting back to the aforementioned exclusive features, the new Lincoln comes with the newly-designed Blind Spot Information System, formerly known as BLIS, with Cross Traffic Alert, also dubbed CTA, especially designed to improve safety, eliminate blind-spot zones and alert the driver of approaching traffic while in reverse.
A special AWD Lincoln MKZ was also introduced, offering enhanced traction and lower noise, vibration and harshness. The whole system is based on an electro-mechanical clutch with two torque transfer modes.
"When the Lincoln MKZ accelerates, even lightly, from a stop on any surface – dry pavement, wet pavement, sand, gravel, ice, mud – pre-emptive torque is transferred to the rear wheels," said Jim Fritz, AWD product development engineer. "As an added measure to control front wheel slip on slippery surfaces, slip control torque is added to equalize front and rear wheel speeds."
Lincoln said that the 2010 MKZ is exclusively built at Ford's Hermosillo (Mexico) Stamping and Assembly Plant and is due to arrive in authorized dealerships in spring 2009.
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