Back for 2006, but for a limited time only!
The first Lincoln Zephyr appeared way back in the late '30s, as a coupe or sedan. Then, the Zephyr resurrected as an ugly 2-door with a Mercury badge from 1978 to 1983, basically a Ford Fairmont clone. Well, guess what? The Zephyr is back from the dead again, and it's a Lincoln.
Just what is a Zephyr, anyway? After a quick search on the web, it either represents the Greek god of the west wind, or something that is airy and passing. Hmm... I guess I'll have to ask Ford to sort this out.
Well, as new as the Zephyr is, it's about to be euthanized once again. You see, Lincoln has recently made the decision to rename all their models. So, the Zephyr will be renamed the MKZ, and pronounced "Mark Z". Also, the next Aviator will be named the MKX, and a four-door concept was unveiled at the Detroit show as the MKS.
Styling
You've probably seen the new Ford Fusion sedan. Well, the Zephyr is a more luxurious version of it. Behold the new image of Lincoln; a more sporty and sophisticated look. It's a look that I like, actually; the Zephyr draws a few stares and I definitely look much wealthier driving it.
The waterfall grille and headlights look better than the Fusion's setup, which looks like a giant men's razor is coming at you. The car has a muscular stance that I find attractive. The optional chrome wheels are expensive, but are worth considering. And those dual chrome-tipped exhausts look very good on this car.
From the rear, the Zephyr has a slightly long overhang, but the trade-off is a huge trunk. So huge, in fact, that I had no problem packing up the kids and all their stuff for a weekend up north. The trunk opening is high and wide, filling up the trunk is easy, and we didn't need the family wagon for the trip.
Mechanical
The Fusion's optional engine is standard in the Zephyr. It's a 3.0-litre, 24-valve V6 that produces 221 horsepower and 205 pound-feet of torque. Honestly, a little more power than the Fusion would've been nice, at least to justify the Lincoln's higher price. However, the Zephyr proves itself pretty quick, and passing power is readily available. Just for good measure, Ford will drop a 250-hp, 3.5L V6 in the engine bay along with the name change for 2007.
Its 6-speed automatic is great at taking advantage of the available power. Shifts were frequent but seamless. More gears are great on certain roads and highways, as I've noticed during my weekend getaway in the Laurentians. In an uphill, the tranny has no problem downshifting a gear or two to keep you moving along at a stable speed. A four-speed
automatic would have less flexibility and would hesitate in the same situation. In the end, I managed an excellent fuel economy average of 10.3L/100 km during the trip. In city driving, I saw an average of 12.5 to 13.0. Good work, Ford.
I've noticed a moderate amount of body roll in the Zephyr, a little more than in the Fusion that I also recently drove. Hey, it's a luxury car with a softer suspension setup, so you have to expect that. The steering has a dead center that is too pronounced for my tastes, and makes for a slightly lifeless feel to it. However, I have no problem keeping the car in a straight line, and should the typical domestic luxury-car buyer just fine.
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| 2006 Lincoln Zephyr (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com) |
Just what is a Zephyr, anyway? After a quick search on the web, it either represents the Greek god of the west wind, or something that is airy and passing. Hmm... I guess I'll have to ask Ford to sort this out.
Well, as new as the Zephyr is, it's about to be euthanized once again. You see, Lincoln has recently made the decision to rename all their models. So, the Zephyr will be renamed the MKZ, and pronounced "Mark Z". Also, the next Aviator will be named the MKX, and a four-door concept was unveiled at the Detroit show as the MKS.
Styling
You've probably seen the new Ford Fusion sedan. Well, the Zephyr is a more luxurious version of it. Behold the new image of Lincoln; a more sporty and sophisticated look. It's a look that I like, actually; the Zephyr draws a few stares and I definitely look much wealthier driving it.
 |
| 2006 Lincoln Zephyr (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com) |
From the rear, the Zephyr has a slightly long overhang, but the trade-off is a huge trunk. So huge, in fact, that I had no problem packing up the kids and all their stuff for a weekend up north. The trunk opening is high and wide, filling up the trunk is easy, and we didn't need the family wagon for the trip.
Mechanical
The Fusion's optional engine is standard in the Zephyr. It's a 3.0-litre, 24-valve V6 that produces 221 horsepower and 205 pound-feet of torque. Honestly, a little more power than the Fusion would've been nice, at least to justify the Lincoln's higher price. However, the Zephyr proves itself pretty quick, and passing power is readily available. Just for good measure, Ford will drop a 250-hp, 3.5L V6 in the engine bay along with the name change for 2007.
Its 6-speed automatic is great at taking advantage of the available power. Shifts were frequent but seamless. More gears are great on certain roads and highways, as I've noticed during my weekend getaway in the Laurentians. In an uphill, the tranny has no problem downshifting a gear or two to keep you moving along at a stable speed. A four-speed
 |
| 2006 Lincoln Zephyr (Photo: Michel Deslauriers, Auto123.com) |
I've noticed a moderate amount of body roll in the Zephyr, a little more than in the Fusion that I also recently drove. Hey, it's a luxury car with a softer suspension setup, so you have to expect that. The steering has a dead center that is too pronounced for my tastes, and makes for a slightly lifeless feel to it. However, I have no problem keeping the car in a straight line, and should the typical domestic luxury-car buyer just fine.