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Just after the turn of the 20th Century, when automobiles were in their infancy, one of the most popular automobile configurations was the touring car. Those early cars were of the open variety, regularly fitted with a (hand) folding top. The key, however was the capability of transporting a good-sized group of people over occasionally great distance in considerable comfort. Many actually seated four or more adults in the back seats. And they were popular, too. In the case of the Ford Model T, records indicate that more than 6.5 million touring cars were constructed between 1908 and 1927 (out of a grand total of approximately 15,000,000 Model Ts). Ford wasn't the only company building touring cars. Many luxury brands of the era sold more touring cars than all other body styles combined. Eventually, though, the need for hauling a number of passengers in one car fell out of style. More cars were available. Cost effective personal transportation had arrived.

Concept to Production

Fast forward to the Detroit Auto Show, circa 2008. Lincoln pulled the wraps off a new concept car dubbed the MKT. It's no secret the Lincoln concept was flamboyant. People were stopped dead in their tracks not only by the styling, but also by the packaging. Here was a luxury "sedan" (altough technically a crossover) designed to transport four or more adults in the back seat(s) over great distance in considerable comfort. The touring car had returned, and many onlookers were overwhelmed.

But even more important, what many observers didn't know was that this was an almost exact nutfor- bolt preview of the 2010 Lincoln MKT. To get here, Lincoln took the basic platform elements of the decidedly boxy Ford Flex and used those bits as the foundation for the MKT. But given the styling, you'd be hard-pressed to see any family resemblance. The MKT is pure Lincoln, from the signature design split waterfall grille to the beveled chamfer along the vehicle's belt line, to a flowing kick-up that frames the greenhouse and ends with a full-width horizontal taillamp that spans the entire curved liftgate.

Signature Lincoln

Open the driver's door and you'll be absolutely assured this is a Lincoln. Fast becoming an industry leader in interior design and execution, Lincoln's MKT bristles with meticulous craftsmanship. Highlights include nearly seamless assembly, precision stitching on the leathertrimmed seats, front-heated and cooled seats and second row seats with heated outboard seats standard, optional heated/cooled seats in the second row, optional power-folding third row seating, floating armrests, a massive multiple panel glass roof standard (coincidentally mimicking the touring car), an optional flow-through refrigerated second-row center console and a stunning instrument cluster with LED white lighting.

Slide behind the wood-topped steering wheel (complete with paddle activation for the six-speed automatic transmission), media/audio controls and cruise control, and you'll be met with a band of real wood trim crossing the dash and sweeping back over all four doors. The dash is covered in a stitched leather-look material that extends over the upper door panels (Lincoln used a synthetic material here not so much to save cost, but as to maintain quality; leather just doesn't wear well in this location). The instrument cluster with message center consists of a large chrome trimmed speedometer in the center flanked by a 7,000 rpm tach on the left and a combination fuel level/water temperature gauge on the right, with a transmission gear indicator separating the pair in our test car. The center stack, complete with a large touchscreen display, sound system and climate control system controls tapers down rather gracefully toward the center console.

Loaded with Luxury

Even in the base model with a 3.7-liter V6 engine ("base" being a relative term here; this is most definitely a luxury vehicle), there are countless standard features including an eight-inch color touch-screen for audio and climate controls, nearly 10-GB hard drive for music storage, "intelligent access" with push button start, SecuriCode™ keyless entry keypad, adaptive HID headlamps, automatic high beams, rain-sensing wipers, reverse camera system, power opening/closing rear liftgate, 12-way powered, heated-and-cooled front row seating with driver memory settings, adjustable pedals with memory, heated second-row outboard seats, ambient lighting and more.

Like it's Ford Flex counterpart, the MKT boasts a second row seat most limousines would be proud of. In fact, it's absolutely enormous, providing 40-plus inches of legroom per side. Each of the seats recline and each are equipped with fore-aft adjustment. Our test MKT came with the optional "Elite" package and the optional headrest-mounted DVD entertainment system, along with a rear console-mounted five-quart-capacity refrigerator. The family entertainment system with twin 7-inch DVD playback screens can be configured to provide individual or simultaneous programming (late availability). Third row seating can be folded electrically. And when folded, the load floor proves absolutely flat. Utilitarian? Maybe. But we doubt many folks will be using this Lincoln as a beast of burden.

Absolute Power

As for power, the big Lincoln is incredibly quiet. Part of the quiet factor comes from additional sound deadening within the ductwork system to silence blower noise along with aero tuning of the side mirrors to counteract wind noise. And there's more: The optional collision warning with brake support is designed to warn the driver of a potential collison (using radar as a key sensor) with the vehicle in front of it. Then it pre-charges the brakes so they are ready to deliver full responsiveness when the driver does apply the brakes.

Available as part of the Elite Package is BLIS® (Blind Spot Information System) with Cross Traffic Alert, as well as Voice Activated Navigation System with integrated SIRIUS Travel Link™ and THX®II Certified 5.1 Surround Audio system. And then there's Lincoln's Active Park Assist (available only with the optional 3.5L EcoBoost™ engine). Push a button and relax. The system identifies a parallel parking spot and then, by way of an array of sensors handles the steering to maneuver the MKT into place, while the driver handles the shifter, gas and brake pedals. If you've ever used the system on a Lexus LS (which for some can prove a bit unnerving), this setup is certainly easier and faster to use.

Speaking of the EcoBoost system, this is an absolutely fabulous optional 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers the grunt of a V-8, but with the economy of a small displacement six. The force-fed six produces an impressive 355 horsepower along with a responsive 350 lb.-ft. of torque-with the use of premium fuel?across a wide rpm range. To get to this point, Lincoln employed water cooled, twin parallel turbochargers that function simultaneously and work in tandem with a directinjection fuel system to produce instant power upon demand. Tuned so that turbo lag is nonexistent, the EcoBoost V-6 produces maximum torque (350 foot-pounds) at a very low 3,500 rpm. Equally significant, the torque curve is almost as flat as a pancake. This means prodigious power is available almost anywhere you need it.

Seamless AWD

All MKT models with the EcoBoost come standard with Lincoln's seamless all-wheel-drive system (optional on 3.7-liter normally aspirated V-6 models). The sophisticated AWD system is fully automatic, using an advanced array of internal electro-mechanical clutches to efficiently distribute torque between front and rear wheels when slip is detected. If you live in any northern climate where weather can change at the drop of a hat, the all-wheel-drive setup proves more of a necessity than an option.

Performance aside, the MKT turns out to be a confidence-inspiring, fully-featured luxury crossover that has the capability of transporting you and your family (and friends) comfortably over short or long distances. And it looks good doing it. Lincoln has reinvented the touring car.