USED & NEW CARS AUTO PARTS INFORMATION 2007 2008 ONLINE - FIND CHEAP AUTO PARTS

The Lincoln LS may be a Lincoln, but if you think it's a rolling sofa, then you're way off the mark. This is Lincoln's most youthful car and it's no cushy-mobile. In styling, style and performance, the LS is fashioned in the image of a European sports sedan. The LS is aimed squarely at the import competition, and in a broad sense it covers the mark. One indication of that is that it uses rear-wheel drive, the first mark of a sports sedan, like those from Mercedes and BMW.

Last year, the Lincoln LS benefited from major revisions, involving more than 500 new or redesigned parts. As a result, the LS feels more refined and more comfortable. Its V8 and V6 engines are more powerful and more sophisticated, benefiting from the addition of variable valve timing. The interior was improved substantially and now features an attractive platinum-colored center panel that has a look and feel of quality. Comfort and convenience were enhanced with power-adjustable pedals, increased center console space and an electronic parking brake.

The biggest benefit was in the area of suspension tuning and a reinforced chassis, which improved handling and ride quality. The LS feels firmer, sportier, more European than before.

The Lincoln LS comes with a choice of two engines, a 232-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 or a 280-horsepower 3.9-liter V8. All models come standard with a five-speed automatic.

Three trim levels are available with either engine, each building on the prior in terms of standard equipment. The V6 Luxury model ($32,120) comes with 16-inch wheels and tires, all-speed traction control, power-adjustable pedals, leather seats with eight-way power adjustment for the driver and six-way for the front passenger, an in-dash CD player, black lacquer interior trim and dual-zone climate control. The Appearance trim level ($35,890) adds more features, including auto-dimming mirrors, built-in universal remote buttons and three-position seat memory that links the outside mirrors, pedal and steering wheel positions. The V6 Premium ($36,520) includes a power moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, a high-watt sound system with an in-dash CD changer, burled walnut interior accents and heated and cooled seats.

Options for the LS V6 include Lincoln's AdvanceTrac electronic stability control system ($775), which can help manage skids by sensing wheel slip and applying the brake at the appropriate wheel. The safety/parking package ($845) includes rear park assist to warn the driver of hidden obstacles.

With its long wheelbase, short overhangs and chunky rear end, the Lincoln LS presents a classy profile. Its angular lines share little with the rest of the Lincoln family, apart from the badges and waterfall grille.

The LS underwent some significant exterior styling changes for 2003. The grille, front fascia, exterior mirrors, rear deck lid, tail lamps, license plate trim and wheels were all redesigned, resulting in a cleaner overall look. The difference is most obvious from the rear, where smooth lamps replaced rippled taillight lenses. Little has changed for 2004, though there are two new colors: Cashmere TriCoat (essentially white) and Light French Silk metallic (light gold).

Our favorite LS is the V8 LSE. Its bright wheels and color-keyed grille, rocker panels and license-plate surround suit our idea of a sporting luxury sedan nicely. It looks clean, aggressive, classy.

The Lincoln LS interior is understated, in the European fashion. The feeling is cozy, almost cockpit-style, and there are no gaudy trim pieces. The leather seats, nonetheless, feel cushy in the Lincoln tradition. They're comfortable, but not as supportive as the seats found in a Mercedes-Benz or BMW. The driver and front passenger seats offer power adjustments with three-way memory for the driver on most models. The power tilt-and-telescope steering wheel and exterior mirrors are tied to the memory buttons, and when the ignition is switched off the driver's seat automatically moves back, which makes getting in and out easier.

The interior trim is high quality and everything fits together nice and tight. Lincoln offers two new interior color combinations for 2004: Dark Stone/Medium Light Stone and Shale/Dove. A canopy shields the instruments. On Premium and Ultimate models, real burled walnut trim brightens the doors and the area around the controls, giving the cabin a warm, rich ambience. The platinum-colored center panel is a high-quality piece. Stereo and climate controls are clustered in a large center stack that's easily accessible for either driver or passenger. The climate system is easy to operate. The seats feature seat heaters for those cold winter mornings and fans for hot, sultry summer afternoons. We liked the seat fans; you can hear them.