Learn more about the Lincoln Town Car
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Between both coasts is an extremely vast continent. There is plenty of open space and literally thousands of miles of long, straight Interstate (and other) highways and thoroughfares. What really works well here is a traditional V8-powered rear-wheel-drive (RWD) sedan. Something that can both soak up the undulations and the miles with ease. Lincoln has been building cars for what seems like forever to meet these highways and thoroughfares with power, comfort and style. They're pretty much experts at it and, for many, they've set the standards for rear-wheel-drive luxury sedans.

Models and Wheelbases
For the 2010 model year, Lincoln offers two full size Town Car sedans-the Signature Limited Series and the Signaure L Series. The primary difference between the two is the wheelbase: Limited models have a 117.7-inch wheelbase while L models are exactly six inches longer at 123.7 inches. The stretched wheelbase accomplishes one thing: It provides limousine-like room in the backseat. While the Limited model is very roomy with 39.6-inches of rear legroom, the L is fit for major league basketball players, with its 45.4 inches of rear legroom. The only other differences between the two models are in the overall length and the option packages. The stretch increases overall length from 215.4 inches to 221.4 inches. The Rear Seat Amenities Package is available on Signature L Series and the Continental Package is available with the Limited version.

Luxury Treatment
Of course, ample legroom isn't the only feature both big Lincoln Town Cars have. Interior trim is, as you might expect, upscale. Open the front door and you'll never forget you're in a Lincoln. Our Dark Blue Pearl Metallic Signature Limited test model was trimmed in a scrumptious Light Camel color. Front seating was a 40-20-40 lounge arrangement, with all seating surfaces trimmed in premium leather material. The center armrest folds down, and includes a small but useable storage compartment within the lid. As you've probably surmised, the front row seats are full-featured with 8-way power, seat heat and individual lumbar controls, along with driver-side memory setting. Floormats are top-line carpet material and each include an embroidered Lincoln Star logo.

Conveniently located buttons positioned on the lower quadrant of the leather-wrapped and wood trimmed steering wheel (with tilt) allow you to easily adjust the audio, climate and cruise control systems. Much of the instrument panel and all upper door panels are trimmed in American walnut burl wood grain and accented with satin-nickel. The instrument panel includes a tachometer and a speedometer directly in front of you along with an easy-to-read redundant digital speedometer. Directly to the right of the cluster is a rectangular center stack filled with the six-CD in-dash changer and AM-FM sound system (center), dual-zone electronic climate control system (bottom) and an analog clock (top). It's a clever arrangement that allows for both driver and passenger control input. The glovebox is both lockable and illuminated, and gas and brake pedals are power adjustable.

Rear Seat Comfort
Open the rear passenger doors and you'll be met with an equal blend of luxury and clever amenities. There are climate control vents for rear seat passengers, a pair of cupholders, map pockets on both front seatbacks and within the door panels, embroidered Lincoln Star logo floor mats and a large fold-down armrest. If you select the L model, you also receive a rear seat amenities package. Included in the package are heated rear seats, illuminated cigar lighter on each rear door, a one-piece floor mat with the Lincoln Star logo, rear-seat four-way head restraints, rear-seat center fold-down armrest with storage bin, a tissue dispenser and dual cupholders, rearseat illuminated visor vanity mirrors, dual power points, secondary audio/climate controls, and secondary front passenger seat forward-and-back control. If that sounds like a factory-built limo, you're right. And anyone can buy it.

Engine and Chassis
One reason the Town Car is so popular with limousine services is because it is constructed by way of the tried and true body-on-frame format. The framerails are hydroformed, which adds strength and (according to Lincoln) optimizes the positioning of the suspension hardware. Monotube gas charged shocks are incorporated, along with large diameter front and rear stabilizer bars. The Town Car incorporates speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering. That means the steering is fingertip controlled at low speeds (for example, parking), but gains firmness at speed.

Power for the big Lincoln is provided by a four valve per cylinder, single overhead camshaft, 4.6 liter V8. The SOHC V8 produces 239 horsepower along with 287 foot pounds of torque. With Flex Fuel capability, the engine gives you added choices at the pump: E85 or unleaded gasoline. The Town Car can operate on E85 (85% ethanol/15% gasoline), gasoline, or any combination of the two. Lincoln's advanced Powertrain Control Module determines the ethanol/gas mixture and automatically adjusts the engine tune for optimum performance. Backing the V8 is a four-speed electronic automatic overdrive transmission (also computer controlled for shift points and shift firmness) and a 3.27:1 ratio rear axle (cars destined for Limousine conversion are fitted with a 3.55:1 ratio rear axle).

Driving Impression
Okay. It's a classy, well thought out, superbly equipped luxury sedan, but what is it really like to drive? The truth is, once you slide behind the steering wheel and turn on the ignition, the Town Car proves extremely quiet and solid. Engine noise is almost totally absent, even at full throttle. Wind noise is minimal, even at higher speeds. You do notice a small amount of tire noise, but only on poorly finished, coarse road surfaces. The ride, though, is exceptional. Lincolns have always been superb at isolating the driver and passengers from the elements, and this one is no different. Where it might differ from its ancestors is in its handling-surprisingly good particularly from a body control perspective. The truth is, it doesn't wallow like big sedans from the past. Thanks to the standard four-wheel-disc ABS braking system, performance under hard stopping is good. Ditto with the performance under wet or slippery conditions, thanks to standard traction control.

With this car, it's easy to envision a road trip of major proportions, especially one smack dab in the middle of the country. Sit back, set the seat, steering wheel and pedals to comfortable positions, insert a six-pack of compact discs of your choice in to the changer, tap in an appropriate temperature into the climate control system, engage the cruise control and you'll tirelessly gobble up hundreds upon hundreds of miles of highway with ease. We think of it as the ultimate middle of the country cruiser-a cruiser for the heartland of America.