The Lincoln Zephyr, the entry level luxury sedan from the Ford Motors brand is set to receive significant upgrades and new features and will be reintroduced as the new MKZ. The new name is part of Lincoln’s controversial new strategy in naming their vehicle lineup. Ford’s luxury brand will drop the traditional nameplates of most of its cars except the Navigator. Lincoln will start using the Mark nameplate with the letters MK (pronounced as Mark) as a prefix to all its vehicles’ names. Lincoln’s next generation flagship sedan will be named the MKS while the successor to the Aviator is dubbed the MKX crossover.

Meanwhile, the erstwhile Lincoln Zephyr now called the Lincoln MKZ will see more than just a change in its nameplate. The new Lincoln MKZ gets a major upgrade through a more powerful 3.5 liter V6 engine, all wheel drive, more traction and a redesigned front fascia. The Lincoln MKZ will draw its power from Ford’s new 35 Duratec V6 engine mated with a six speed transmission that will provide 250 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. The new engine is expected to improve the car’s fuel efficiency, refinement, and power.

The exterior of the Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ will see a newly designed front end. Lincoln’s traditional waterfall grille is refined and improved in the MKZ with additional bright work and distinctive lighting added for a more distinct and stand-out look. The MKZ will also offer other new features such as Sirius satellite radio, Bluetooth compatibility and an Ipod jack. All these new features are intended to increase customer demand for the luxury carmaker. “We have taken a brand-new, well-received car and significantly improved it to draw a new generation of customers to the Lincoln brand”, explained Al Giombetti, Marketing and Sales President of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury.

The new Lincoln MKZ will be introduced at the ongoing Chicago Auto Show. It still remains to be seen, though, whether the shift in nomenclature will get positive results. The erstwhile Zephyr has sold reasonably well in the short run it had at showrooms despite being widely considered as underpowered and overpriced compared to rivals in the sporty luxury sedan segment such as the BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35 and Cadillac CTS.

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