During acceleration or in emergency situations, electronic systems such as AdvanceTrac electronic stability and traction control, along with electronic brake force distribution and Brake Assist help maintain control. These are excellent features when the driving gets dicey due to wet or icy roads, which in Canada is often the norm.
Other safety equipment includes an optional side-curtain airbag system in addition to the standard dual front and side-impact airbags. Second generation advanced driver and front passenger airbags are equipped with occupant position, weight and seatbelt usage sensors as part of the Personal Safety System.
It is reassuring that all occupants are protected by the latest in safety technology, but the pleasure of driving the LS goes well beyond safety. My Premium Sport model was equipped with every conceivable option including rain-sensing wipers, rear backup warning sensor, a perimeter lighting package and memory settings for the power seats and pedals.
All models of the LS are so well equipped that regardless of which version is selected, very few options are available. That makes sense to me, as a Lincoln isn't the sort of car that should be sparsely optioned. I hate the snowballing price-tag associated with ticking a bunch of option boxes just to ensure your luxury car is appropriately equipped.
In Canada the 2003 LS V8 arrives in the following versions: Convenience, Sport, Premium and Premium Sport. In the U.S. the LS V8 is only divided into two models, the Sport and Sport Premium for 2003. There is very little difference between these packages. In 2004, the Premium Sport package will be renamed the Ultimate package in both Canada and the U.S.
So is an LS V8 for you? Well, if you crave the performance and driving dynamics of a BMW 540i, but want to save some dough over the cost of Germanic heritage, the associated prestige and higher build quality, the LS V8 may be the perfect compromise. You will save dough and meet or beat the performance thresholds of the 540i, but unfortunately you'll have to sacrifice some of the refinement embodied in the Bavarian marque.
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| All models of the LS are so well equipped that regardless of which version is selected, very few options are available. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
It is reassuring that all occupants are protected by the latest in safety technology, but the pleasure of driving the LS goes well beyond safety. My Premium Sport model was equipped with every conceivable option including rain-sensing wipers, rear backup warning sensor, a perimeter lighting package and memory settings for the power seats and pedals.
All models of the LS are so well equipped that regardless of which version is selected, very few options are available. That makes sense to me, as a Lincoln isn't the sort of car that should be sparsely optioned. I hate the snowballing price-tag associated with ticking a bunch of option boxes just to ensure your luxury car is appropriately equipped.
In Canada the 2003 LS V8 arrives in the following versions: Convenience, Sport, Premium and Premium Sport. In the U.S. the LS V8 is only divided into two models, the Sport and Sport Premium for 2003. There is very little difference between these packages. In 2004, the Premium Sport package will be renamed the Ultimate package in both Canada and the U.S.
So is an LS V8 for you? Well, if you crave the performance and driving dynamics of a BMW 540i, but want to save some dough over the cost of Germanic heritage, the associated prestige and higher build quality, the LS V8 may be the perfect compromise. You will save dough and meet or beat the performance thresholds of the 540i, but unfortunately you'll have to sacrifice some of the refinement embodied in the Bavarian marque.