Driving Impressions

Lincoln wants the character of all of its vehicles to be similar, so drivers will know they're driving a Lincoln regardless of whether the vehicle is a Town Car, an MKZ sedan, or a Navigator SUV. To make to soft-sprung Town Car handle like more youthful Lincolns, the Division has given it hydroformed rails for the front part of the frame, relatively lightweight front suspension components mounted to a cast-aluminum cross member, monotube shock absorbers, powerful front brakes, carefully selected tires, sophisticated body and suspension mounts and variable-ratio rack-and-pinion steering. All Town Cars have the same engine, a 239-hp 4.6-liter V8. The four-speed automatic transmission produces quick downshifts. The engine and transmission in our Signature L moved the big car from place to place quietly and efficiently, but lacked excitement and do not represent the current state of the art. Other cars in this class come with more powerful engines with a great deal of technical sophistication. The new paradigm in transmissions is five speeds, not four, with full electronic control of upshifting and downshifting and an electronic torque management program for smoothness. The Town Car transmission has partial electronic controls and only four speeds, which offers less flexibility, eats into gas mileage and dates the car. The suspension system, which includes automatic load leveling in the rear, keeps the car relatively flat in the corners and provides a smooth, quiet highway ride and substantial amounts of understeer, just the right thing for a big, long, heavy car. However, while ABS and traction control are standard equipment, the chassis and suspension are completely devoid of any type of electronic yaw control system like almost all of its price and class competitors have, and it offers no electronically variable shock absorbers like those that come on the Cadillacs. Years ago Lincoln promised increase power, an upgraded transmission and yaw-control technology, but we haven't seen it. The Town Car offers what Lincoln describes as a creamy on-center feel to its steering while cruising down the Interstate, and it requires little effort to turn into parking spots. But steering and body movements are reasonably controlled for driving on curving country lanes and mountain roads. Careful positioning of the rear shock absorbers, plus directional rear body mounts, has reduced the tendency of many rear-drive, live-axle cars to hop sideways in tight turns. The Town Car belies its size and weight when pushed through the curves in the hill country. The modestly sized P225/60R-17 all-purpose tires are very quiet and relatively grippy. It's not just a Town Car; it's also a Country Car. Lincoln designed the latest Town Car to appeal more to younger, enthusiast drivers, but traditional customers should not notice any deterioration in the soft ride they expect and enjoy. The brake pedal is responsive, completely without that when-is-this-thing-going-to-stop feeling and the high pedal pressure that was prevalent in older-generation full-size cars. Braking performance is exemplary for a 4500-pound sedan. The braking system features 12.0-inch ventilated discs in front, 11.5-inch ventilated discs at the rear, with stiff twin-piston calipers a large vacuum booster. The system comes with Brake Assist, which delivers maximum braking force when it detects quick, hard brake pedal inputs. ABS (antilock brake system) is, of course, standard. Brake pads are formulated not only for long wear but to produce less dust, so owners who insist on immaculate wheels may not have to wash them as frequently.

Final Word

The Lincoln Town Car is the only game in town if you are in the market for a large, traditional American rear-wheel-drive V8 luxury car. The Town Car remains the vehicle of choice for limousine services and for conservative buyers who want lots of room and a soft and quiet ride. It appeals to businessmen and women who need to carry lots of people and cargo but who also enjoy the driver's seat. But buyers looking for technical sophistication in a luxury sedan may find themselves looking elsewhere.