Racing a Lincoln MKS EcoBoost at Milan Dragway [w/VIDEO]
by Chris Shunk on May 22nd 2009 at 11:58AM 
2010 Lincoln MKS EcoBoost – Click above for high-res image gallery from Milan Dragway
When the 2009 Lincoln MKS entered production, it arrived to market with a 273 horsepower, 3.7-liter V6. This made the new luxurious Lincoln a large, loaded, heavy vehicle with the power of a Nissan Altima. When we reviewed the MKS, we liked the newest Lincoln's interior, loved its in-car technology, and found the package itself acceptable to drive, but we were left longing for Ford's seemingly far off twin-turbocharged, direct-inject 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine. A vehicle as big as the MKS deserves the extra pop, we figured.
It took a year, but it's finally turbo time at the top of Lincoln's lineup. We already had the pleasure of a first drive with the force-fed MKS, and we found the 4,300-lb all-wheel-drive sedan to be quick and nimble for its size with fuel economy that handily bests its V8-powered competition. But we drove the EcoBoost MKS in the controlled environment of Ford's Romeo Proving Grounds. This time, we were given the chance to drive the EcoBoost MKS at a place where few Lincolns roam: the drag strip. Hit the jump to see how Ford's new hot rod Lincoln handled itself on the track. We have performance numbers and video waiting for you, as well as video and stats for the EcoBoost Ford Flex.
Photos copyright ©2009 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc
Michigan's Milan Dragway sits about 50 miles southwest of downtown Detroit. When we arrived, Milan was buzzing with hot rods, funny cars, motorcycles and snowmobiles. There were modified trucks and SUVs, some of which looked more prepared for the junkyard than the track. There was even a brand new Cadillac CTS-V, likely the closest you'll get to an exotic on most nights. What we didn't see was a single Lincoln.
That changed when two black and one cherry red MKS EcoBoost models showed up at the tech booth for inspection. At most places, we'd have to explain what EcoBoost means, but the locals here were all too aware of what lie dormant under the hood. One guy on a hopped-up golf cart with mag wheels (there were a lot of those at Milan) rolled up and said "355-hp Lincoln; 'bout time." Indeed sir, indeed.
Though Ford has yet to offer official performance numbers for the MKS and Flex EcoBoost models, the Blue Oval expects the final 0-60 figures to be about 6.0 seconds for the sedan and 7.0 seconds for the three-row people mover. We expect a couple tenths to be shaved off that number before all is said and done, though, as Ford tends to play it safe with performance figures in order to avoid the bad press associated with over-promising and under-delivering. With numbers like that, the EcoBoost models probably weren't going to compete with the privately owned track stars that were sitting in line and waiting for drag time, but we were anxious to open up the new EcoBoost motor just the same.
With exactly zero drag racing experience, this blogger didn't give a thought to how to best launch the MKS until about two minutes before the tree showed green. Should we go full auto or use the autoshift paddles on the steering wheel? Autoshift. What about traction control? Probably best to keep it on for the first run. Launch it at 4,000 rpm or just jam the petal and go? Wait, the EcoBoost delivers 350 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 rpm. Aw heck, who knows? Let's just jam the pedal.
Getting up to the left line, the starter kept indicating for us to inch up the MKS a bit more. I was looking at him, inching away, when the green light turned, and I saw the Dakota pickup next to me pull away from the gate. After all that thinking, I flat-out blew it at the green light. The hopped-up late-model Dodge Dakota was about 100 feet ahead when the MKS left the starting line.
VIDEO: Drag racing with EcoBoost at Milan Dragway
The EcoBoost V6 performed exactly as advertised, though, with gobs of torque early and often and little lag to be found. Though the green pickup got way out in front right out of the gate, the MKS was catching up fast. First and second gears were swapped around 5,500 rpm, then Mr. Inexperienced hit redline in third, but quickly recovered. Our quarter mile time stood at a pedestrian 14.5 seconds. This is why I'm usually the one holding the camera.
Even at 105 mph, a speed we achieved after the quarter mile was behind us, the MKS had the smooth, calm demeanor that you'd expect of an AWD luxury automobile. Unfortunately, street tire time ended shortly after our lone run, and we were stuck with the shame of a lousy quarter mile time. Others performed better, though, with an outing best 13.9-second run at 104 mph turned in by Car and Driver scribe Mike Austin.
While the MKS looked a bit out of place out on the drag strip, the boxy Ford Flex somehow looked like it belonged. Big beefy rims and a wide stance give the Flex a yesteryear hot rod look, and its identical-to-the-MKS' 355 hp, twin-turbo V6 engine gave it the grunt to hold its own at Milan. The Flex, which weighs about 300 pounds more than the MKS, turned in a best time of 14.5 seconds at 96 mph – a more than respectable tally for a 4,600-pound crossover.
As far as our time at Milan goes, we're calling for a Mulligan. Next time, we'll arrive earlier and keep running until we get it right. Hit play on the video above to watch the MKS and Flex as they run the quarter mile at the Milan Dragway. While the hotrod Lincoln and Ford didn't win any of their races, you can be sure they'll fare better if and when turbo-tweaking tuners get their hands on them.
Photos copyright ©2009 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
dukeisduke 12:05PM (5/22/2009)
And for those of you don't know, it's pronounced "MY-lun".
Reply
Kiiks 4:58PM (5/22/2009)
It is? It's not named after the city?
1Il 5:57PM (5/22/2009)
Yes, the dragway is named after the city, in Michigan, where the dragway is located.
It's pronounced "MY-lun", not "me-lan".
Dan 7:19PM (5/22/2009)
Am I the only one who pronounces the Mercury this way, out of principle?
Yago Bal 9:38PM (5/22/2009)
I wonder of what language you guys are talking about... It's pronounced as you read it: Milan... not my, nor lun, nor me... :) It's an english word.
Because if your trying to say it in italian, it's "Milano", "mee-lah-noh" as in s"ee", c"a"r, d"oo"r (emphasis on the second syllable).
And the pedant of the month cap goes to... me. :)
Yago Bal 9:43PM (5/22/2009)
I deserve the cap :) just googled it and I see your point.
Jared 11:35AM (5/23/2009)
I love turbo's. But there is a certain degree to where their gas savings isn't even considered any more. I bought my turbo 4 for fuel economy, and now it drinks 18-20mpg consistantly.
TriShield 12:07PM (5/22/2009)
Slow.
Coulda had a V8 that's smoother, faster, sounds better, not FWD biased and uses the same amount of fuel as Ford's turbo setup is reported to be using.
The best big comfy fast cars for this amount of coin (or less) are still the Pontiac G8 GXP, Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Charger SRT8.
Reply
mapoftazifosho 12:13PM (5/22/2009)
You idiot. The G8 GXP suffers from the gas-guzzler tax...but yeah, it's just as fuel efficient as this car...the engineers behind EcoBoost don't know anything...
There are other parameters to look at, but I'm not gonna waste my time...
Level 12:21PM (5/22/2009)
It's not politically correct to drive V8 now days your looked upon as a douche bag that's contributing to "foreign oil" , just by the mere fact of driving a V6 you get that label taken off from you...It's the fun times we are in today...Ford has plenty of V8 knowledge to and could of easily slapped a 4.6 V8 in there but choose not to because of the fun times we are in..
As for Ford engineers don't know anything dude stop hating give credit where credit is due...350Hp from a 3.5 v6 come on...Have you seen what that engine can do in a Noble?
zamafir 12:27PM (5/22/2009)
He's not an idiot, cars like the A6 3.0T are faster and more efficent (WITH awd). It gets back to the same ol same ol for american companies attempting to match european/japanese competitors, they're aiming at a solid target but the target keeps moving. Sure it's a step forward for ford, looks great, is about as quick as the benchmarks, about as frugal, and at several thousand cheaper, but ford needs to get the pork under control (with this car needing the extra 50 hp and tq to just barely miss audi's figures, simply because of that extra 150 or so lbs).
Jim 12:30PM (5/22/2009)
"but ford needs to get the pork under control (with this car needing the extra 50 hp and tq to just barely miss audi's figures, simply because of that extra 150 or so lbs)."
yeah, and then it would cost as much as the Audi and people like you would bitch about how it's too expensive for a Lincoln.
Arumage 12:43PM (5/22/2009)
@zamafir:
The 3.0T A6 is about a foot shorter and atleast 500 lbs. lighter. The MKS is more in-line with the A8, and even the A8 is 3 inches shorter. The 3.0T only makes it to 60 in about 5.9 seconds according to most publications (5.4 for motortrend). It ends up at 13.9 in the quarter, amazingly the same as the much heavier MKS. Drop this Ecoboost motor into a AWD Fusion. That would be a more fitting comparison to the A6
JF 12:50PM (5/22/2009)
Trishield has a point.
While maybe not as luxurious as far as the individual cars themselves, a 375 hp, 400 lb-ft HEMI 5.7 gets 16/25 in rwd form while powering the LX cars. In awd, that hwy figure might drop to 23 or so, but that's hardly a gas guzzler compared to Ecoboost. Based on the 16/25 mpg the Camaro SS achieves in rwd form while generating 426 hp (or 400 with the auto), I'm sure it would also be able to match Ecoboost in awd form while making as much power.
Art 1:02PM (5/22/2009)
hey its art_vw_shark from OT. :)
I'd say a mid 14 is fine for a vehicle of this magnitude. it's not like a 550i runs 12s or anything
henrykrinkle 1:10PM (5/22/2009)
Just because Ford took it to a dragstrip doesn't mean they plan to market it as a hotrod. It's a luxury car and it compares pretty well to cars that badge snobs would consider superior. From Inside Line test:
2010 Jaguar XF Premium - 385hp/380ftlb, 0-60 5.7sec, 1/4 mile 13.9sec
2009 BMW 550i - 360hp/360ftlb, 0-60 5.5sec, 1/4 mile 13.7sec
The MKS EB is as fast as the Jag and gets the same mpg. It's practically as fast as the BMW but gets better mileage and that's with AWD which the other two lack.
zamafir 1:21PM (5/22/2009)
@Arumage - thanks!
drolds1 1:47PM (5/22/2009)
@Level
"could of easily slapped a 4.6 V8 in there but choose not to because of the fun times we are in."
First of all, it's could "HAVE." Sorry, but I don't know where you got this information from. The 4.6 will not fit in this platform. That's why the 4.4 V8 was developed for the Volvo S80, which shares the basic chassis. The V8 was considered for the MKS, but rejected for cost reasons. That decision was made well before " the fun times we are in," so that had nothing to do with it. It's happens to be fortuitous for Ford that V8s are now politically incorrect and it turned out to be the right decision.
MikeW 2:21PM (5/22/2009)
Yes it could be faster.
The MKS could use the 3.16 instead of 2.77 axle ratio (see Ford Taurus SHO performance package)
The Flex/MKT could use 3.39 instead of 3.16 axle ratio.
There goes some mileage.
What 60 degree V8 does Ford have access to for front drive?
The Volvo/Yamaha one. The one that will be replaced by a high output version of the 3.0t inline 6.
Where are the 14" brakes? Where is the Haldex rear 'eLSD'?
How did Ford make a 17' long car look stubby?
jordan 3:51PM (5/22/2009)
@Level
"Have you seen what that engine can do in a Noble?"
This isn't the Duratec30....last time I checked, you could only get the 3.0 in the Noble