Lincoln MKX Crossover Earns IIHS "Top Safety Pick," Joins Latest Lincoln Models With Best Performance

DEARBORN, Mich., May 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

• 2011 Lincoln MKX two-row premium utility has earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) when built after February 2011

• All the latest 2011 Lincoln car and premium utility models are now rated IIHS "Top Safety Picks;" this includes the Lincoln MKS large flagship sedan; MKT three-row premium utility, MKZ midsize luxury sedan and MKX two-row premium utility

• All Lincoln models come with luxury attributes people really want, including crafted quality, intuitive technology, refined and engaging performance as well as distinctive design

• The latest Lincoln safety accolades add to the brand's quality strengths. Lincoln received the highest score for durability in the latest J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study of 3-year-old vehicles

The redesigned 2011 Lincoln MKX two-row premium utility has earned an IIHS "Top Safety Pick" designation when built after February 2011, adding to its distinctive design, intuitive technology and best blend of power and fuel economy among V6 luxury premium utility competitors.

The latest 2011 MKX joins MKS flagship sedan, MKT three-row premium utility and MKZ luxury sedan in the IIHS winner's circle. All Lincoln models feature a number of safety technologies such as advanced radar warning systems.  

To earn the "Top Safety Pick" ranking from the IIHS, a vehicle must offer electronic stability control.  Other core requirements include a rating of "good" in offset frontal-, side- and rear-impact crash tests and roof strength evaluations.

"New Lincoln models feature some of the most innovative safety technologies, and we are delighted that all are now rated 'Top Safety Picks' by the IIHS," said Scott Tobin, director, Lincoln Product Development. "Prestige and safety go hand in hand, and this is proof that Lincoln offers safety as another compelling reason to buy."

Structural safety and crash protection

In addition to standard electronic stability control, the Lincoln MKX premium utility features a solid unibody construction, which provides an energy-absorbing structure to help protect occupants. Bumper-to-bumper flow-through side rails, structural design and A-pillars are designed to better manage crash energy. Nearly half of the stiff shell is composed of high-strength steels, such as boron, for both increased strength and reduced weight.

When a crash becomes unavoidable, MKX relies on an array of airbags and other technologies to help protect occupants. Two front second-generation airbags and two side airbags are joined by a Safety Canopy® consisting of side-curtain airbags for two rows of passengers.  The first row safety belts feature pretensioners and an energy management system with adjustable D-ring height in the first row.

Meaningful Luxury

Lincoln models offer an array of standard features that are often optional among luxury competitors.  The brand offers a THX® II Certified Audio System, bringing home theater sound quality to the MKX through 14 speakers strategically spread around the acoustically engineered cabin.

In addition, the MKX also offers:

• Standard heated and cooled seats
• Standard Lincoln SYNC – including hands-free telephone, SYNC services and much more
• Standard MyKey® – customizes vehicle notifications and settings
• Standard Intelligent Access with Push Button Start – provides convenience without a key
• Standard Easy Fuel® – Capless Refueling – for convenience and time savings
• Standard Remote Start – provides a warm cabin in cold climates
• Standard MyLincoln Touch™
  • Two driver-configurable 4.2-inch LCD displays in cluster
  • 8-inch LCD touch-screen in center stack
  • Media hub with USB Ports (2), RCA Video input jacks and
  • SD Card Reader
  • 5-way controls located on steering wheel
• Available BLIS with cross-traffic alert – helps detect vehicles in blind spots during normal driving as well as traffic approaching from the sides when reversing out of parking spots
• Available Rearview Camera – including standard rear parking sensors
• Available Rain Sensing Wipers – automatically adjusts to current rate of rainfall
• Available Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support – remains proactive in a number of traffic situations
• Available Adaptive HID Headlamps – clear vision ahead, especially in rural environments
• Available THX® Certified Audio System & HD Radio™ – more than 600 watts of sound
• Available class II Trailer Tow Package (includes trailer sway control)

Lincoln Dependability

Safety and dependability are both common strengths in Lincoln vehicles that luxury customers have come to expect.  Recently, Lincoln received the highest score for long-term durability among all vehicle brands in the annual J.D. Power and Associates 2011 Vehicle Dependability Study.

The study asked owners about their experience in the past 12 months with their 3-year-old vehicles. (For the 2011 study, 2008 model-year cars and trucks were surveyed). Survey respondents were asked to indicate any problems they experienced with their vehicle in the previous 12 months, choosing from a list of more than 200 issues in eight diverse categories.

The study also shows a strong link between reliability and purchase consideration. Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of new-vehicle buyers say reliability/durability is one of the most important factors in choosing a new vehicle. Additionally, the study found that fuel economy is among the top 10 purchase considerations.

Key competitors to the redesigned 2011 Lincoln MKX are the Audi Q5, Lexus RX and the Cadillac SRX.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents.  With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.ford.com.

SOURCE Lincoln