The Demo Site

Ford has been touting its EcoBoost engine technology for more than two years now. The buildup began when the Lincoln MKR concept debuted at the 2007 Detroit show, hinting at the automaker’s plan to employ smaller engines equipped with turbochargers and direct fuel injection. In the same timeframe, early adopters such as Audi, BMW, and Porsche have been much praised for how the technologies have improved the power delivery, fuel economy, and emissions of many of their vehicles.

Fast forward to today, and Ford has officially—and finally—joined the party, with Lincoln taking the lead: the 2010 MKT crossover and 2010 MKS sedan are the first models to go on sale with available EcoBoost powertrains. Ford recently invited the media out to its Michigan proving grounds to get acquainted with the new cars—and engines. Here, we concern ourselves with the surprisingly good MKT.

We Don’t Need No Stinking V-8

Based on the Ford Flex—itself based on a stretched Taurus X platform— the MKT is a unique three-row crossover that the brand expects to compete with the likes of the Audi Q7 and Acura MDX. The MKT makes the boldest statement yet about Lincoln’s styling direction, specifically in the huge, split-waterfall grille. We don’t think the look quite works when the grille is this enormous, but perhaps it will grow on us in time. Ford says people who are fond of the box-tacular Flex don’t always connect with the MKT’s softer lines and boat-tail butt, but that the Lincoln is meant to make a statement about the brand rather than appeal to everyone.

Instrumented testing and real-world impressions will have to wait until our next rendezvous with the big Lincoln (it’s a half-foot longer than the Flex), but on Ford’s undulating ride-and-handling course and five-mile banked oval, it exhibited reassuring composure and had more than enough grunt to outrun the V-8–powered Audi Q7 on hand for comparison. Thanks to a pair of quick-spinning, grapefruit-sized turbochargers, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 pushes out a stout 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque—on regular unleaded—all of which is available from as low as 1500 rpm. Mated to a fortified six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and well-spaced ratios, the engine moves the 5200-lb MKT off the line quickly and with little effort. Upshifts—whether initiated in automatic mode or by pulling back on either paddle—barely interrupt thrust, which stops only when the electronic limiter kicks in at 120 mph to protect the 255/45-20 Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires. (Non-EcoBoost MKTs get 19-inch wheels and tires as standard.) All the torque makes passing maneuvers at highway speeds a snap. Engine noise is more noticeable than in the MKS, but is still hushed and pleasant in tone.

Keep Reading: 2010 Lincoln MKT With EcoBoost - First Drive Review