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2006 Lincoln Zephyr Road Test

Lincoln Heats Up in the Entry-Luxury Segment

When I say the word Lincoln, what image comes to mind? That great American patriot, Honest Abe, who rose from obscurity to defeat three more notable opponents (at the time at least), Stephen Douglas, John Breckinridge, and John Bell, to become the 16th President of the United States, and then went on to free African Americans from slavery by signing the Emancipation Proclamation, following this up by instituting Americas first draft, leading the Union to win two major battles at Gettysburg and Vicksburg, plus on a lighter but nevertheless important note considering his devout religious sentiment, issuing a proclamation creating Thanksgiving Day, all before becoming the first assassinated head of state in U.S. history? When I say the word Lincoln, does that legendary American luxury car brand come to mind? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) />
Some, who live in Lincoln City, Oregon, Lincoln Alabama, Lincoln, California, Lincoln, Nebraska, or Lincoln City in the U.K., might think of their home town. And others may think of that legendary American luxury car brand started by Henry Leland in 1921, auctioned off to Henry Ford in January, 1922, and up until present day having brought us notable classics such as the original 39 through 48 Continental, the gorgeous

One of the most successful cars in Lincolns storied past was the Zephyr, first produced in 1936. Is the new Zephyr as powerful a turn-around vehicle? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

1955 Continental, and elegantly tasteful 1961 Continental, ironically, in a later model year and convertible form, the car Americas last assassinated president (Garfield and McKinley were 2nd and 3rd), John F. Kennedy rode in back of on that fateful November day in Dallas, Texas. Could there be a car brand more entrenched into the fabric of American political history than Lincoln?

One of the most

It looks very good from all angles, and very distinctive considering the number of cars that share its general chassis architecture and many of its components.? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

successful cars in Lincolns storied past was the Zephyr, first produced in 1936. It was streamlined, for its time, a real head-turner. But just like all Lincolns, it didnt attract admirers from being sensational. No, leave such "bling" to Cadillac buyers, as Lincoln was all about understated elegance. This remains as true today, as it was then, at least when speaking of its all-new 2006 Zephyr sedan.

It looks very good from all angles,

From the outside, very few visual links can be made from Fusion to Zephyr.? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

and very distinctive considering the number of cars that share its general chassis architecture and many of its components. With this in mind, parent Ford has found a good thing and its going to make the most of it. At least thats what it seems like when looking from the outside in, at an automaker optimizing its resources to create the best possible line of products for the most affordable price range. Its doing so with the new Ford Fusion, which borrows heavily from Mazda6, a car that has long pulled many drivetrain components from Ford, and is now continuing the process

The cabin reminds me of the current Navigator, a vehicle that boasts one of the nicest interiors in the full-size premium sport utility segment. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

with the new Lincoln Zephyr.

This component and platform sharing is hardly new, and hardly exclusive to Ford or any other domestic automakers, for that matter. Lexus creates its ES 330 from the general architecture of a Toyota Camry, Acuras TL is derived from Honda Accord roots, and the list goes on. Even Lincolns previous Continental sat on the backbone of the old Taurus, yet was a very different car on a very different mission.

The same can be said of the new Zephyr, but possibly the ties between platform-mates are even less obvious. From the outside,

The real leather is plush too. Softer and therefore richer than that in the Fusion, which only makes sense, and perforated to let the cool air out of the optional air-conditioned seats. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

very few visual links can be made from Fusion to Zephyr. Instead, the Zephyr sports styling reminiscent of Lincolns of days gone by. While not retro by any sense of the imagination, there are cues, especially the horizontal shape of its traditional waterfall grille, and the rectangular taillights sandwiching a classic crease in the trunk lid, which frames the Lincoln badge, that stir up memories of the 61 Continental, for one.

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