While they sweated many details in this regard, quieting down the Ecotech was not among them; the two turbochargers swallow a lot of exhaust noise. Engineers actually had to accentuate some of the engine noises, to give the engine tone some character.
I found the Ecotech to sound snarly, in a refined way, when angry, but it is quite quiet otherwise, especially at idle. This is one area where a turbo V6 will always lag behind a non-turbo V8 — it just doesn’t have that nice “burble” coming out of the tailpipes.
Track time
We were unleashed on that high-speed track, and later, on a handling course, and the Ecoboost-equipped MKT was surprising.
First off, the engine, as advertised, is very powerful and the measure of the 4.2-litre V8 Audi Q7, that Ford brought along for comparison purposes.
It was very easy to drive smoothly through curvy and hilly sections, because, while engine revs bounced around, the torque was more or less constant. In a powerful V8, the torque usually increases dramatically with rpm, so there is the risk of getting too much, which can unsettle the vehicle. Ecotech was very responsive and predictable.
The six-speed tranny worked without incident. This is the same six-speed used in the base vehicle, but reinforced with upgraded output shafts, torque converter, and clutch pack. The gear set was also changed, to match the Ecotech’s formidable torque curve.
The engine has also a very easy gait at highway speeds. Its trip computer said we were averaging slightly over 20 mpg while cruising around 70 mph.
Lincoln expects this MKT to be rated at 16 mpg city and 22 highway.
Lincoln also said it can run all day and all of its life on regular 87 octane dyno juice. But if you’re looking to achieve those peak hp and torque numbers, “premium will help you get there.”
Chassis refinements
MKT also turns in very nicely, for such a large vehicle, and for one engineered around front-drive propulsion (its platform is shared with Flex and the new Taurus). It doesn’t plow through corners.
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| Lincoln expects this MKT to be rated at 16 mpg city and 22 highway. |
I found the Ecotech to sound snarly, in a refined way, when angry, but it is quite quiet otherwise, especially at idle. This is one area where a turbo V6 will always lag behind a non-turbo V8 — it just doesn’t have that nice “burble” coming out of the tailpipes.
Track time
We were unleashed on that high-speed track, and later, on a handling course, and the Ecoboost-equipped MKT was surprising.
First off, the engine, as advertised, is very powerful and the measure of the 4.2-litre V8 Audi Q7, that Ford brought along for comparison purposes.
It was very easy to drive smoothly through curvy and hilly sections, because, while engine revs bounced around, the torque was more or less constant. In a powerful V8, the torque usually increases dramatically with rpm, so there is the risk of getting too much, which can unsettle the vehicle. Ecotech was very responsive and predictable.
The six-speed tranny worked without incident. This is the same six-speed used in the base vehicle, but reinforced with upgraded output shafts, torque converter, and clutch pack. The gear set was also changed, to match the Ecotech’s formidable torque curve.
The engine has also a very easy gait at highway speeds. Its trip computer said we were averaging slightly over 20 mpg while cruising around 70 mph.
Lincoln expects this MKT to be rated at 16 mpg city and 22 highway.
Lincoln also said it can run all day and all of its life on regular 87 octane dyno juice. But if you’re looking to achieve those peak hp and torque numbers, “premium will help you get there.”
Chassis refinements
MKT also turns in very nicely, for such a large vehicle, and for one engineered around front-drive propulsion (its platform is shared with Flex and the new Taurus). It doesn’t plow through corners.
 |
| MKT also turns in very nicely, for such a large vehicle, and for one engineered around front-drive propulsion. |