2017年款林肯MKZ将启用全新的Continental家族式前脸设计——林肯标志镶嵌在高雅的半矩形进气格栅上，同时该款全新MKZ的动力系统性能极佳，本文将着重深入了解这款林肯专用（至少在短时间内）的双涡轮V6发动机，SAE核定发动机功率为400hp(298KW)，扭矩为400磅英尺(542牛米)，并搭配由福特和通用联合设计的9速自动变速器及扭矩矢量控制全时四驱动力传动系统。
2017款MKZ将持续使用福特自家的CD4平台生产，该款车型将是福特投资25亿美元重塑其自身豪车品牌地位的关键一环，福特期望林肯能借此能完成2020年前销量翻3倍，实现30万辆的销售目标。
MKZ采用了该款“林肯专用”的V6发动机是福特2.7L EcoBoost的放大版。EcoBoost发动机的性能已经在F-150皮卡等其他福特和林肯车型上得到了充分的验证。在2015洛杉矶车展前的MKZ媒体发布会上，林肯总裁Kumar Galhotra告诉SAE《汽车工程杂志》，该车所搭载的是林肯有史以来最强劲的量产发动机，它的气缸是由致密石墨铸铁冲压而成，在设计该款发动机时我们经过了无数次的设计修改。他指出，目前林肯的计划时，该款发动机将仅会配置在全时四驱的车型上，而前轮驱动的车型将会配置功率350hp(261KW)的发动机。
MKZ所采用的全时四驱系统为福特与其他公司的合作成果，但Galhotra等林肯高管并不愿在发布会上透露任何有关该合作伙伴的任何信息，但是GKN曾参与过2016款全新福克斯RS的扭矩矢量差速器的研发工作。运用扭矩矢量控制技术可以根据牵引力情况前后左右方面调整扭矩，这将成为MKZ的选配功能。
福特2.0L EcoBoost直列四缸发动机将成为MKZ的标准配置，SAE核定功率为245hp(183KW)。据福特的消息显示，2018年将会推出混合动力车型。该款车型的生产计划表显示，9速自动变速器将由密歇根州斯特海茨工厂生产。
全新升级的MKZ，不但动力系统全面升级，同时也搭载了一系列新技术。诸如：全速自适应巡航、整合了行人侦测功能的自动紧急制动系统，以及福特最新版的泊车辅助系统。该系统不仅能进行平行泊车，还能垂直泊车。那些通过使用MyLincoln移动客户端，在2017款福特翼虎上实现的远程启动、锁门等类似功能，也将在MKZ上得到运用。
2017款车型采用了全新内饰的设计。当Galhotra先生宣布，根据用户的意见反馈，MKZ的人机交互界面（HMI）“从电容触摸屏上滑动控制改为机械旋钮和开关控制”时，获得了在场媒体的一片欢呼，《汽车工程》杂志记者也对该决定拍手称赞。总而言之，在洛杉矶所展示MKZ是其最顶级“Black Label”款，其内饰设计无比高端典雅。
中控台的饰边采用了真正的铝制材料而非塑料，又如车上配备了4个USB充电接口、搭载了哈曼卡顿的“Revel”品牌音响系统（多达20个扬声器），这些细节绝对是在品质上的又一大提升。
作者：Lindsay Brooke
来源：SAE《汽车工程杂志》
翻译：SAE上海办公室
2017 Lincoln MKZ gets exclusive 400-hp twin-turbo V6, torque-vectoring AWD
Lincoln’s 2017 MKZ enters production next year wearing the brand’s new “face”— the classy semi-rectangular grille with raised Lincoln badge unveiled on the Continental concept—and packing a serious performance-focused powertrain. Exit split-wing grille; enter Lincoln-exclusive (at least for the short term) twin-turbocharged V6 packing an SAE-rated 400 hp (298 kW) and 400 lb·ft (542 N·m), the new Ford-GM “Alliance”-engineered 9-speed automatic, and torque-vectoring AWD driveline.
MKZ, which for the 2017 model remains based on Ford’s CD4 architecture, is a key product in Ford’s $2.5 billion revamp of its luxury brand, which is planned to triple the brand's global sales to 300,000 by 2020.
The “Lincoln exclusive” V6 is an enlarged version of the 2.7-L EcoBoost unit that powers the F-150 and other Ford and Lincoln models (see:http://articles.sae.org/13388/). At the MKZ’s media preview ahead of the 2015 L.A. Auto Show, Lincoln President Kumar Galhotra told Automotive Engineering that punching out the compact graphite-iron (CGI) cylinder block to make the most powerful Lincoln production engine ever entailed numerous design changes. He noted that the 400-hp version will be offered only in the AWD version; in front-drive models it will produce an estimated 350 hp (261 kW).
Galhotra and other Lincoln officials at the L.A. debut would not reveal Ford’s AWD system development partner for MKZ, though GKN was the collaborator on the torque-vectoring differential that is used in the new 2016 Focus RS. Torque vectoring, which transfers drive torque front/rear as well as side-to-side depending on traction conditions, comes as part of a “Driver's Pack” option in MKZ.
The car’s standard engine will be Ford’s 2.0-L EcoBoost inline four, SAE-rated at 245 hp (183 kW). A hybrid model is expected in 2018, according to Ford engineering sources. The car’s SOP currently is aligned with Ford’s launch of the 9F transaxle at the Sterling Heights, MI, transmission plant. The 9F’s “Alliance” cousin is GM’s GF9.
The significantly refreshed and thoroughly repowered MKZ also gains a clutch of new technologies including all-speed adaptive cruise, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and a new version of Ford’s parking assist that can handle parallel parking situations and park the car perpendicularly. The MyLincoln Mobile app, expected to have remote start and locking functionality similar to that on the 2017 Escape, will also launch on MKZ.
The 2017 model benefits from an all-new interior. Galhotra received cheers from the assembled media when he announced that MKZ’s human-machine interface (HMI) “moves from sliding [capacitive-touch] controls to mechanical knobs and switches” to meet the voice of the customer; Automotive Engineering says “hurrah” to that decision as well. Overall the interior of the MKZ on display in L.A., in top-of-range “Black Label” trim, was elegantly executed.
The center console trim is genuine aluminum rather than plastic faux—definitely a perceived-quality plus—and niceties such as four USB charging ports andHarman/Kardon’s “Revel” brand audio system (with up to 20 speakers) abound.
Author: Lindsay Brooke
Source: SAE Automotive Engineering Magazine
