Crossover to limo-luxury

The Lincoln Town Car takes its final bow late this year leaving the livery and limousine service stage empty of a vehicle to meet their conveyance needs.

However, an understudy stands in the wings dressed in avant-garde styling as the 2011 Lincoln MKT premium crossover vehicle steps into the spotlight for a suitable replacement.

The 2011 Lincoln MKT carries strong merit with larger dimensions and up to seven passengers with standard three-row seating.

Limo-like second-row head and legroom offers generous space for riders to enjoy cross-leg relaxation. Second-row seats have a manual adjustment for fore and aft travel along with seat backs that recline for a custom fit

Lifting a lever on the outboard second row seats flips and tumbles them to create a generous 14-inch aisle to the cabin's rear quarters.

Though equally lavished with leather upholstery, the back row is best reserved for children.

When unoccupied, the 50/50 split-fold third row can be lowered for 40 cubic feet of cargo space. Eighteen cubic-feet exist with the third row upright. Plenty of room for sets of full-size luggage or clubs. A standard power liftgate provides access to the MKT cargo bay.

The 2011 Lincoln MKT pampers passengers further with an optional panoramic power sunroof. Heated and cooled second row seats also are available.

A full-length center console configuration offers an available rear seat refrigerator for keeping beverages and snacks cool.

And an optional THX 5.1 surround sound audio system provides all riders with theater quality music reproduction for their listening pleasure.

"Lincoln MKT would make a great replacement for the retiring Town Car," said Earl Viking, assistant sales manager Lincoln brand at Art Hill Auto Group in Merrillville. "MKT's interior design and comfort level is a perfect match for a car-like ride with luxury features."

According to Viking, Ford Motor Co. is revamping its entire line of Lincoln vehicles to keep the premium brand the top luxury vehicle in its class.

The 2011 Lincoln MKT is powered by either a 3.7-liter V6 that generates 270 horsepower or a V8-like, turbocharged, 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost power plant that builds 355 horsepower managed by a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission.

While front-wheel drive is standard, all-wheel drive is standard on the MKT with EcoBoost and optional on the 3.7-liter model. Fuel economy is rated at 16 miles per gallon city and 22 mpg highway on the 3.7 liter engine and 16/21 respectively on the 3.5-liter V6.

Lincoln MKT's ride quality is superb with rigid construction and a tuned suspension that irons out the harshness of rough roads during the spring thaw in our region.

Base price for the 2011 Lincoln MKT 3.7-liter with front-wheel drive is $44,200. Add $1,995 for AWD. Lincoln MKT with the EcoBoost engine ups the ante to $49,200. Add $795 across the board for destination.