You know the mid-cycle refresh game. A nip here, a tuck there, throw on some fresh headlights and wheels. Done. Nobody at Lincoln got that memo. Yes, the updated 2017 MKZ has the fresh headlights and wheels. Also: 400 horsepower, 400 pound-foot of torque.
Oh. Well, that’s unexpected.
Output, up from 300 hp in the current MKZ, comes via new 3-liter twin-turbo V6. That makes it the most powerful Lincoln ever made. The engine is exclusive to Lincoln, and a peek at what the flagship Continental sedan will be working with when it arrives next year.
Better yet, the 2017 MKZ is slated to offer a Driver’s Package. That’ll include sport seats, adjustable dampers, carbon fiber interior bits and all-wheel with, get this, a rear torque vectoring system. Which is neat. Real neat.
There’s nothing like a healthy shot of muscle to energize a languishing brand, and Ford’s luxury arm needs it bad. The new MKZ, now with enough power to fully crap on an Audi S4, might just do the trick.
