The first Lincoln Zephyr was an entry, medium-priced 1936 model that pulled luxury Lincoln through the desperate 1930s Depression. The new 2006 Zephyr also is meant to stop Lincoln's sliding auto sales.
Lincoln car sales were down nearly 10,000 units to 58,638 units through the first 10 months this year, compared with the same 2004 period. Its auto sales also suffered a major decline in 2004 from 2003. This year's drop would have been worse if not for sales of 1,204 Zephyrs, a handsome sedan that's off to a good start.
Lincoln also sold 43,539 SUVs through October, but its SUV sales also slipped from last year. It realizes -- as General Motors also does -- that you're on shaky ground if depending a lot on SUV sales because of such things as uncertain gasoline prices and the move away from SUVs.
The 1936 Zephyr was far more advanced than the medium-priced Cadillac and Packard autos, which also enabled those luxury automakers to survive the Depression. The aerodynamic Zephyr, though, was far more advanced, with such features as aircraft-style construction and a 12-cylinder engine. (Lincoln says the 1936 Zephyr had a "starting price of $1,400,'' but it began at $1,275 when $125 was a lot of money.)
The $28,995 Zephyr is based on a modified Mazda6 platform, with Ford design and engineering. This Lincoln is the top model of the front-drive Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Zephyr mid-size trio, which is the biggest fall surprise of the recently started 2006 model year. (Ford controls Mazda.)
The Zephyr is softer than the Milan (Sept. 12 AutoTimes) and Fusion (Oct. 17 AutoTimes), befitting its luxury status. It thus isn't as much fun to drive quickly as the Fusion and Milan, which have sharper reflexes and beg to be driven in a sportier manner.
However, the Zephyr is far from being sloppy because it has the same basic design as the Fusion and Milan, which have a definite European sports sedan feel although derived from the Japanese Mazda6.
The Zephyr has a clean, slab-sided exterior fronted by Lincoln's signature "waterfall'' grille. Lincoln considers the car's 17-inch alloy wheels an important design element; they're offered with a machined aluminum look or a chromed-aluminum finish.
The quiet, nicely executed interior has real wood, high-quality leather and satin nickel and chrome trim. Electro-luminescent lighting illuminates the gauges, although the fuel and engine coolant temperature gauges are so small they almost seem like an afterthought. White lighting backlights controls and switches to prevent fumbling for them at night.
Major controls are easily used and dual-zone climate control should help keep occupants of the supportive, heated power front bucket seats comfortable.
There's decent room for four adults in the leather-upholstered seats, although a long-legged passenger behind a tall driver with his seat shoved back will want more leg room. Funny, but I didn't notice that drawback in the Fusion or Milan. Rear seats are large, but the hard center of the back seat is best left to the fold-down armrest, which contains dual cupholders.
All doors have storage pockets, but they don't hold much. Neither does the glovebox. At least the covered front console storage bin is fairly large, as are the dual front cupholders. The power windows don't race up or down when activated and can be easily stopped by just touching the window switch.
Safety features include front side air bags and head-protecting curtain side air bags.
The trunk is large, but has a rather high opening and a lid with no interior pull-down feature. The 60/40 split rear seatbacks have trunk releases to prevent a thief from gaining entry to the trunk from the back seat. They flip forward to enlarge the cargo area, but should sit a bit flatter when folded forward.
Steering is quick with the tilt-telescopic wheel, and not nearly as heavy as it is in the Fusion and Milan. The supple, fully independent suspension easily absorbs bumps and provides a soft, well-controlled ride and good handling, enhanced by the big wheels and wide 50-series tires.
The progressive-action brake pedal allows smooth stops from the all-disc, anti-lock brake system, which has electronic brake force distribution for surer quick stops. Traction control is standard.
The 190.5-inch-long Zephyr weighs 3,406 pounds and is sized and priced below the European-style Lincoln LS. The LS shares a rear-drive Jaguar platform, but is a fairly slow seller because it lacks the cachet of similar-priced rivals.
There's only one Zephyr trim level. Unlike the Fusion and Milan, it isn't offered with a 160-horsepower four-cylinder engine, but only has a 3-liter, 221-horsepower V-6, which is optional for the Fusion and Milan. It provides strong acceleration, although it's not as smooth as a Honda Accord V-6.
Estimated fuel economy is 20 mpg in the city and 26 on highways, with only 87-octane fuel required.
The Zephyr V-6, which has chromed dual exhaust outlets to enhance the car's sporty image, works with a responsive six-speed automatic transmission. It has one more speed than its major competitors, the Toyota Camry and Accord.
The Zephyr is well-equipped, with power everything and such items as cruise control, keyless entry, AM/FM radio with in-dash six-disc CD/MP3 changer, analog clock, variable-intermittent wipers and heated power outside mirrors.
Too bad the heavy hood must be held open with an old-fashioned prop rod; maybe Lincoln thinks few Zephyr owners will bother looking under the hood, where a giant plastic engine cover is found.
The relatively few options include a $1,200 power sunroof, new $2,495 DVD navigation system, $495 premium perforated leather/cooled front seats, $995 THX premium sound system and powerful $495 Xenon headlights. Chrome alloy wheels are $895.
The Zephyr is Lincoln's latest stab at the entry luxury sedan market. So far, it looks like it's got a winner this time.
2006 LINCOLN ZEPHYR
PRICE
$28,995
LIKES
Strong V-6. Nice ride and handling. Impressive styling. Fairly roomy.
DISLIKES
Rather high trunk opening. Small fuel gauge. Just a prop rod for heavy hood. |