Edmunds First Drive: 2006 Lincoln Zephyr

[Zim Hosein]

In the post-modern world, the name Zephyr has zero resonance. The word is a throwback to a time when Classicism was taught in schools and new-fangled home appliances like toasters and belt-driven washers had names like Prometheus and Brobdingnag. These days, most people will probably confuse "Zephyr," a soft, warm breeze, with "Zamphir," the pan flute guy, a "musician" who can ruin with mindless energy everything from Abba to Wagner.

If you're old enough to remember Zamphir, but not so old as to think he was actually pretty cool, then you're probably smack in the middle of the 2006 Lincoln Zephyr demographic. The name probably won't start a single-handed revival of the Classics, but it will probably go a long way toward rejuvenating the Lincoln brand. Picking this ancient moniker is an oddly counterintuitive move. Zephyr is a 70-year-old nameplate that was originally lifted from a streamlined locomotive. Hardly the image you would contemplate to seduce a generation of younger buyers. The only people excited about locomotives these days are the ones who stall their pickups at a grade crossing. The smart money would have said to go with something hip and urban. Or at the very least something that doesn't bring up images of Byron and the Lake Poets. Somehow though, it all sort of fits. The retro name, the classic touches like the analog clock front and center on the dash, and restrained styling all hang together. It's classic in the manner of a Wright Prairie Style house. Strong lines, a commanding presence and the obvious product of someone at the top of his game. Of course, unlike a Wright house, the Zephyr won't leak in the rain.

Edmunds First Drive: 2006 Lincoln Zephyr

 

[NFS4]

That interior is a puke fest

 

[Demo24]

dont think it looks to shabby, better than previous ones

 

[Tab]

Originally posted by: NFS4
That interior is a puke fest

Agreed, other than that I don't see anything that would stop me from buying it.

 

[tennisflip]

Did the article say anything about fuel economy?

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: NFS4
That interior is a puke fest

But it's got a THX certified system!

 

[JACKHAMMER]

waiting for domestic bashers to come in......

Anyway, I really like to Fusion - which will be the working mans version of above.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: JACKHAMMER
waiting for domestic bashers to come in......

Anyway, I really like to Fusion - which will be the working mans version of above.

saw the Fusion today for the first time....any reviews of it?

 

[Shlong]

Exterior Front = :thumbsup:

Exterior Back & Interior = :thumbsdown:

Overall = :thumbsdown:

 

[Syringer]

Is this supposed to replace the LS?

Is there going to be a v8 available for it down the line? The 280 hp engine would be sweet for this car.

 

[SportSC4]

Hmm... that price puts it in the IS250 and BMW 325 range.

I would gladly pick one of those cars over this.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous! I love it. Too bad about FWD, but still, quite nice.

ZV

 

[Shlong]

Originally posted by: SportSC4
Hmm... that price puts it in the IS250 and BMW 325 range.

I would gladly pick one of those cars over this.

Yeah I would take a Lexus IS250, Infiniti G35 or BMW 3 series over this any day.

 

[Captante]

My 80 year old father-in-law would love it... well maybe its a little small!

Too bad Ford can't seem to get it together...quality has gotten better, but if you check the list of most reliable cars, theres not a Ford (or a US-made car) on it & no, Toyota's made in Indiana don't count!

Also if I'm not mistaken, the name Zephyr was was dredged up 15/20 years back for the Mercury version of the Ford Fairmont.

 

[mercanucaribe]

What's wrong with the interior? Looks nice to me. Is it available with a manual?

 

[LongCoolMother]

front looks nice. back looks

 

[Red]

The front = ugly
The rear = would like OK if they removed the hump between the lights on the trunk
The sideshot = OK
The interior = too trapezoidial for my taste

 

[HannibalX]

That car is terrible. It is FWD, ugly and has a weak V6.

The Lincoln LS is sexy, RWD, sexy, 280 HP V8, sexy, corner carver and sexy. And Lincoln kills the LS.

Oh well back to german cars for me when my LS hits 100k miles.

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats

Originally posted by: JACKHAMMER
waiting for domestic bashers to come in......

Anyway, I really like to Fusion - which will be the working mans version of above.

saw the Fusion today for the first time....any reviews of it?

There is one on Edmunds.

 

[Corporate Thug]

the front of the car is hideous

 

[Vegito]

saw the car 3 days ago in the rain.. took a pic.. it was pretty ugly

 

[alien42]

lincolns will always look like piles of dog $hit

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: alien42
lincolns will always look like piles of dog $hit

So do your safari pics.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: NFS4
That interior is a puke fest

Agreed and the exterior isn't much better.