2006 Lincoln LS

For 2006, the Lincoln LS undergoes a substantial change in its model line-up: the V6 has been discontinued. The remaining models are the V8 Sport and the V8 Ultimate.

Other than that, changes are cosmetic. There is a body-colour grille surround with chrome vertical ribs; a revised front fascia with round fog lamps; a revised rear fascia, with body-colour license plate surround; and new driver and passenger side rocker mouldings. Two new wheels have been added, a standard 17-inch, 5-spoke machined aluminum wheel, and an optional 17-inch, 5-spoke chrome aluminum one; and Dark Cherry Metallic and Pewter Metallic take the place of Norsea Blue Metallic and Bronze Metallic.

The single engine choice is still the 3.9-litre, 32-valve V8 carried over from 2005, hooked to a five-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift manual mode.

The V8 Sport includes traction control, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with ABS, emergency brake assist and electronic brake distribution, keyless entry, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, automatic headlamps, auto-dimming mirror, heated/cooled perforated leather seats with eight-way power driver and six-way power passenger adjust, 60/40 folding rear seat, power tilt and telescoping wheel, driver position memory, side airbags, universal garage door opener, heated mirrors with puddle lamps and auto-dimming driver’s side with memory, power-adjustable pedals with memory, six-CD stereo and aluminum interior trim accents.

The V8 Ultimate adds high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, power folding mirrors, power moonroof, heated rear seats, vehicle stability system, curtain airbags, rear park assist, cargo net and walnut burl interior trim.

The Lincoln LS is a worthy road car; it shares its platform with the Jaguar S-Type, and also did with the Ford Thunderbird, which is discontinued for 2006. With rear-wheel drive, a near 50/50 weight distribution, and speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion, it takes hard turns and twisting roads in stride while offering luxurious, traditional North American luxury. The discontinuation of the V6 is a shame, since it offered the same LS luxury and rear-wheel-drive with a lower buy-in, but it paves the way for the new-for-2006, front-wheel-drive Zephyr to woo smaller-engine buyers with its $36,995 price tag.