Autoblog

Ford Motor Company is recalling a whole herd of trucks to see the team doctors over concerns about a hose in the braking system that could adversely effect the vehicles' braking power. According to the NHTSA, about 605,000 2005 and 2006 model year Ford F150 and Lincoln Mark LT trucks equipped with the 3-valve 5.4-liter V8 will receive a hose replacement free of charge. The problem hose supplies the brake booster with engine vacuum, and could swell over time and eventually become disconnected. While the hydraulic braking system will function without the power assist, pedal effort will be significantly increased, and if drivers are taken off-guard by the problem an accident could occur. Ford will start notifying owners in June, and the recall campaign will kick off in July. According to FoMoCo, there have been 11 minor accidents related to the issue. Check out more details from the NHTSA after the jump.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Things aren't looking good for the Lincoln Mark LT. Latest reports say the luxo-pickup won't be around beyond the 2008 model-year, which means the vehicle won't even have been on sale for a full three years. Several dealers as well as supplier and industry sources say Ford will be dropping the Mark LT after next year because sales simply aren't high enough.

Total sales for the pickup last year amounted to 12,753 units, well short of the 20,000 units that execs had targeted. Though numbers haven't been released, sales for this year are expected to be even worse due to falling demand for fuel-hungry SUVs and trucks.

There's another reason for Ford to put the Mark LT out to pasture. The pickup is based on the top-selling Ford F-150 and is produced at the same plant. The F-150, meanwhile, is getting a restyle and engineering upgrade for the 2009 model year and the introduction of a high-end 'Platinum' version means Ford could use the extra capacity left behind by the ousted Mark LT.

[Source: Automotive News - Subs. Req'd]

Its first attempt at a luxury truck failed miserably with the Blackwood, but Lincoln is making a much better effort with the 2007 Lincoln Mark LT. Though outselling its only real competition, the Cadillac Escalade EXT, nearly 2 to 1 this year, the question of "why" still remains. Does Lincoln really need a rebadged F-150? Does it even warrant having a pickup truck in its lineup at all? Regardless of what anyone else thinks, Lincoln obviously believes that's the case, so here we are.

While Ford offers the "King Ranch " version of the F-150, it is targeted at the rancher (or rancher wannabe) who is looking for something a little more luxurious. The Mark LT is clearly aimed at the Polo Club crowd, hoping to wow them with that Lincoln chrome and glitter, while still offering all the utility of a real truck. One thing the Mark LT excels at is grabbing attention, as evidenced by the number of people who stopped us to ask what it was. Living in a rural area where trucks are king, onlookers were very impressed with its looks both inside and out, but enthusiasm waned slightly when they inquired about its price.

Exclusivity doesn't come cheap, and the base price for the 2007 Lincoln Mark LT 4x4 is $42,395 including $900 in destination and delivery charges. One of the truck's selling points is the availability of a traditional 6.5-foot bed -- an option not available on the Escalade EXT costing nearly $14,000 more (base price). The truck we drove included $6,545 worth of options, which elevated the total sticker price to $48,940. You can see a copy of the sticker after the jump for the complete options list, but this truck was almost fully loaded, lacking only the $1,295 rear entertainment system, bed extender and chrome bed rails.

Read complete review with pics after the jump!

In the event that high gas prices begin hitting even the wealthy, displacement-loving, power-toting blokes among us, BusinessWeek has compiled a list of the top ten most fuel efficient luxury cars. The list, especially when you include the runners-up, is a diverse showing of both automakers and fuel types, with hybrids and diesels finding a place alongside with their gasoline-powered siblings.

• Mid-size: Mercedes E320 CDI, runner up: Lexus GS300
• SUV: Lexus RX 400h, runner up: Volvo XC/70
• Sub-compact: Acura RSX, runner up: Lexus IS250
• Compact: Audi A4, runner up: Volvo S40
• Small wagon: Audi A3, runner up: Volvo V50
• Mid-sized wagon: Volvo V70, runner up: Saab 9-5 SportCombi
• Two-seater: BMW Z4 3.0, runner up: Porsche Boxster
• Mini-compact: Audi TT, runner up: BMW 330Ci
• Full-size: Jaguar XJ8, runner up: Mercedes-Benz S430
• Truck: Lincoln Mark LT, runner up: Cadillac Escalade EXT

The cheapest among them to drive is the Acura RSX, with the A3 and A4 coming in second if you actually want to stow some junk in the trunk.

[Source: BusinessWeek]

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