‘06 Lincoln Zephyr – What’s in a Name?

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DETROIT – The quibbles were starting to mount. After only a few months on sale, Lincoln announced that it was changing the name of the Zephyr to the MKZ (shorthand for Mark Z).

It doesn’t matter that Lincoln is going to add a more powerful 3.5-liter V-6 engine, a newly designed front end, and more traction with available all-wheel-drive for the 2007 model year. In effect, Lincoln will have to re-launch its new entry level sedan after just one year on the market.

That kind of decision causes derision amongst scribes like us. And it flows over into what we write about the product. In effect, small problems are blown out of proportion.

We found the Zephyr to be a little light in the nose. The car just didn’t seem to be that well planted on the pavement. It didn’t float but it didn’t seem to be connected to the ground either.

The sound proofing on the Zephyr could have been better, too. With true luxury brands there are things that you just shouldn’t hear – like bumps in the road. Of course, you feel them but you shouldn’t hear the suspension going over them. That was the case with the Zephyr.

There was also a bit too much wind noise. It was a high pitched hum at highway speeds. It wasn’t intrusive or abrasive but it was there. Most of our quibbles with the Zephyr can and probably will be addressed with more sound proofing and a little chassis engineering.

But this stuff can be magnified when the manufacturer does disingenuous things like changing the name of the car. What shifted our attention off of the little things that were wrong with the Zephyr and onto what’s right with it, was the price.

For $33,145, the Zephyr offers a lot. First there’s the interior. Our test model was swathed in leather and light hued wood trim. The steering wheel also featured wood trim. Fit and finish were excellent. And the car conveyed that ambience that is essential in premium and luxury products.

It was powered by a 3.0-liter V6 that made 221 horsepower and 205 pounds-feet of torque that was mated to a six-speed transmission. Gear shifts were smooth and acceleration was quick enough to keep us out of trouble on the expressways.

Our test vehicle featured heated and air cooled seats. It was a feature that was surprisingly part of the Zephyr’s standard equipment. We got in the back seat where there was plenty of hear and leg room. We think two adults could be comfortable there on long-haul trips.

The trunk provided plenty of cargo space; a healthy 15.8 cubic feet. And overall, the Zephyr was an eye-pleasing package.

It started with Lincoln’s water fall grille. The side profile featured chrome trim at the beltline and on the mirror caps, set off by 17-inch alloy he wheels. The rear bumper surface was nearly flush. Twin chrome tailpipes were set wide apart below thin horizontal reflectors in the lower fascia. Together they gave the rear a very aggressive appearance.

We particularly liked the touch screen navigation and audio system. It featured an in-dash six disc CD changer with MP3 capability. At $2,495, it was the only optional equipment on the Zephyr.

Now if Lincoln could promote the attributes of the Zephyr or the MKZ, it just might find itself in the position of having a car the consumers find very appealing.

Frank S. Washington can be reached at frank@aboutthatcar.com. Or, snail mails him at PO Box 23167