New Car Review: 2003 Lincoln LS Premium Sport
SEE ALSO: Lincoln Buyer's Guide
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS In common with most luxury automakers, Lincoln has a problem a few years ago. The customers who made Lincoln successful in the past few decades, for the most part, reached the age where they were not going to buy another car. Younger luxury car buyers, ``younger'' here meaning anyone not past retirement age, abandoned the traditional American luxury sedan for sport-utility vehicles and imports. And so there have been some major changes to the Lincoln lineup in recent years. Old names, such as the Continental, are gone, while SUVs like the Navigator and Aviator have proved popular. To appeal to people who would otherwise buy an import, the mid-sized LS sedan was introduced in the 2000 model year. It was an even more radical departure from the norm for Lincoln than trucks. The traditional Lincoln is large. The Town Car is the best example of the Lincoln sedan. Neither the Navigator nor the Aviator can be called small. While merely mid-sized, not really small, the LS is the smallest Lincoln ever, and is the company's luxury sports sedan. Yes, there are two words in the preceding sentence not normally associated with Lincoln - sports sedan. While there have been Lincoln personal luxury coupes with an emphasis on performance, a Lincoln sedan with a European-style combination of comfort and speed has never existed before the LS. It has been successful in its mission, attracting new, younger customers to the Lincoln brand. Around 70 percent of LS owners have never had a Lincoln before, and their average is around 50, much younger than usual for Lincoln. As before, the LS is offered with the choice of a 3.0-liter V6 or 3.9-liter V8 engine. Both get variable valve timing this year, for more flexible and efficient power. Both now have ``drive-by-wire'' electronic throttle control that works with the engine and transmission computers to optimize response. More importantly for import-oriented customers, the suspension has been firmed up, giving the 2003 Lincoln LS very European ride and handling characteristics. I've just finished a week with a new LS V8 and was thoroughly impressed. With no loss of its uniquely American character, it is the most European Lincoln ever. APPEARANCE: The smallest Lincoln has the discreet, tasteful style of a finely-tailored suit. And, as correct tailoring can make a person look slimmer, the LS looks deceptively small, although it is marginally larger than its European and Japanese rivals. Its styling is muscular without being muscle-bound, and conservatively elegant in the European mold. The front end treatment is new this year, but the difference is subtle. If the smoked-plastic covered headlights nod toward southern Germany (and California), the matte-black chrome- trimmed grille and large chrome rear license plate garnish are pure Lincoln. COMFORT: Like its exterior, the LS's interior is tastefully distinctive in design. It has been freshened this year, with new soft- touch material covering the instrument panel, aluminum-look trim on the center stack, and wood trim on the doors, dash, steering wheel, and shift lever. In this class, seat support and comfort are expected, and the LS exceeds expectations, especially with the new optional heated and cooled front seats. I faced exterior temperatures well over 100 degrees during my test week. The seat cooling aided the excellent climate control system to keep me cool and refreshed. The driving experience is heightened by standard adjustable pedals and a steering wheel that is power-adjustable for both tilt and reach. And comfort decreases distraction and so adds safety. If the DVD-based navigation system is specified, navigation and audio controls are through the touch screen, but climate control is separate, for faster, easier use. There are useful storage compartments around the cabin, and the rear seat fold with a 60/40 split when long items need to be transported. SAFETY: The Lincoln LS is designed not only for passive safety, with a rigid structure with front and rear crumple zones and standard front and side-impact air bags, but for active safety as well. Four- wheel vented antilock disc brakes ensure quick stops, and the ``AdvanceTrac'' active vehicle dynamics system aids driver control in dicey situations. ROADABILITY: When I first drove an LS, back in late 1999, I found its suspension, even with the ``sport'' tuning, to be more American than European - softly-sprung with plenty of body motion. That wasn't too surprising - it's rarely a good idea to alienate current customers in the search for new ones, after all. And the 2000 LS behaved well in everyday American traffic. But import sport-luxury sedan buyers are used to a firmer suspension calibration, one that combines a compliant ride with minimal body roll in quick cornering. Ask and you shall receive...the 2003 LS feels like it was made in Germany, not Michigan. In Premium Sport trim, the fully-independent suspension is firm, but far from harsh, with springs and shocks well-matched. It allows the LS to glide smoothly down the road in the manner of an American luxury car, or to be driven with verve on a challenging mountain road. PERFORMANCE: With 280 horsepower and 286 lb-ft of torque from its 3.9-liter dual overhead cam 32-valve aluminum alloy engine wired to the driver's right foot, the LS V8 has plenty of good old American V8 muscle. Even better for driving enthusiasts, the rear wheels are the driven wheels. And the five-speed electronically-controlled automatic has ``Selectshift'' manual-shift mode, for total driver control in spirited driving. ``Spirited driving'' and ``Lincoln'' in the same sentence? Believe it. The LS V8 is a fine example of the ``iron fist in a velvet glove'' luxury performance car that was once the exclusive province of the Europeans. CONCLUSIONS: The Lincoln LS blends American and European concepts of luxury and performance. SPECIFICATIONS 2003 Lincoln LS Premium Sport Base Price $ 43,360 Price As Tested $ 47,685 Engine Type dual overhead cam 32-valve aluminum alloy V8 with variable valve timing Engine Size 3.9 liters / 240 cu. in. Horsepower 280 @ 4000 rpm Torque (lb-ft) 286 @ 4000 rpm Transmission 5-speed electronically-controlled automatic with manual shift mode Wheelbase / Length 114.5 in. / 193.9 in. Curb Weight 3755 lbs. Pounds Per Horsepower 13.4 Fuel Capacity 18 gal. Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium gasoline Tires P255/50 VR17 Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 Brakes, front/rear vented disc / vented disc, antilock and traction control standard Suspension, front/rear independent unequal-length control arms with coil springs all around Drivetrain front-engine, rear-wheel drive PERFORMANCE EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon city / highway / observed 18 / 24 / 20 0 to 60 mph 6.5 sec OPTIONS AND CHARGES Heated rear seats $ 400 Navigation system and THX audio $ 2,995 Extended rear park assist $ 295 Destination and delivery $ 635