After just one year on the market, Lincoln is once again mothballing its classic “Zephyr” nameplate and affixing the moniker “MKZ” to its newest entry-luxury sedan. But a name change is not all that’s new for the 2007 Lincoln MKZ, shown for the first time at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. The car’s formerly standard 3.0-liter V6 is ditched for a more powerful 3.5-liter V6 good for 250 horsepower, and an intelligent all-wheel-drive system that can split power not only from front to rear but also side to side is newly available. To help differentiate the upgraded Lincoln MKZ from the one-year-only Lincoln Zephyr, a redesigned grille, a refreshed front fascia, chrome trim on the mirror caps, and new 17-inch wheels with a machined finish mark the new car – no pun intended. Oh, and there’s an “MKZ” badge on the back.
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