2010 Lincoln MKS Garners An All New Transmission

Released just last year, the large Lincoln MKS sedan is now the beneficiary of a pair of important updates including an optional EcoBoost engine. Though smaller than the dated Town Car, the front wheel drive (all wheel drive optional) MKS has plenty of interior room, scads of luxury appointments and a new transmission to help give the sedan an important performance edge.

V8 Power, V6 Fuel Economy

The early update to the Lincoln MKS is due to the introduction of EcoBoost technology. EcoBoost takes a standard engine and adds more power to it because it employs a smart engineering combination – twin turbochargers and direct fuel injection. While a base 3.5L V6 engine produces pleasing amounts of torque and horsepower, with EcoBoost both are increased to the point where V8 comparable power is achieved while V6 fuel economy is maintained.

Ford’s transmission line had to be updated to keep pace with EcoBoost technology, hence improvements made to its six-speed automatic transmission. A new 6F-55 transmission replaces the previous 6F-50 transmission, which allows the engine to maximize power while maintaining fuel efficiency. Ford tested the previous generation transmission and made changes to applicable components and hardware resulting in a more durable product.

Improved Horsepower & Torque

The EcoBoost powering the MKS is a dynamo, capable of delivering 355 horsepower and 350 pound feet of torque while still getting a respectable 25 mpg on the highway. That fuel economy number matches up nicely with other cars in its class, while providing the MKS with a critical performance edge.

Like the previous transmission, the new edition maintains both fluid fill for life and flat tow capabilities, attributes which didn’t have to be sacrificed as gears, clutches and other essential hardware adaptations were made.

Ultimately, the new transmission – coupled with EcoBoost engine technology – gives Lincoln owners just the sort of pairing that they’ll appreciate. Couple that with all wheel drive and the MKS will be able to take on BMW, Mercedes and Audi, the perennial leaders in the full sized luxury sedan segment.

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