LOS ANGELES--Lincoln hits the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show with a one-two punch, unveiling the 2013 MKS sedan and MKT crossover simultaneously.
The most prominent change to these two 2013 Lincolns is the new design language. Lincoln has simplified and restyled the waterfall grille into something that can only really be described as a windswept mustache. Twin grilles with vertical bars sweep back into integrated headlamps. Meanwhile, the front fenders and hood have been simplified with fewer creases and kinks. I think the MKS wears the look better, partially due to its more compact size. In either case, the result is probably best described as polarizing.
The sedan and the awkwardly shaped crossover receive nearly identical upgrades. Both models can be had with the same 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 engine or 355-horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine. Both models feature front- and all-wheel-drive configurations. And at their top tier, both feature upgraded brakes and the new Lincoln Drive Control system that rolls settings for the adaptive suspension, power steering, throttle response, gearbox, and traction control into one control knob with three selectable modes: Normal, Sport, and Comfort.
The 2013 models are each available with Lincoln's new Lane Keeping System, which monitors the lane markings on the road with a camera and responds with three levels of intervention. The first level is a warning chime as the driver approaches the boundaries of the lane. If the vehicle drifts out of its lane without signaling, torque is applied to the electric power-steering system to pull the vehicle back in line. Finally, if the system senses that the driver is sleepy or otherwise not alert, it will sound another chime and illuminate a coffee cup icon on the dashboard to suggest that it's time for a break.
Be sure to check out our gallery of the 2013 Lincoln MKS and MKT reveal for more photos and details.
