Posted: Sunday, January 15, 2006.

2006 Lincoln Mark LT: Towing in Style

With a lesson learned, Lincoln has launched the Mark LT based on a high-end Ford F-150 with a Lincoln luxury spin.

By Ed Kemper
Honolulu, Hawaii
Courtesy of Jackson Auto

Lincoln's last foray into the pickup truck world was not a good one. Although stylish and based on the popular Navigator SUV, the Blackwood "truck" was neither fish nor foul. The pickup "bed" was more like a huge trunk-fully lined and with a hard lockable cover. Thus, hauling manure or any dirty items was not part of the program. To add insult to injury, the bed, in pickup truck terms, was not very big. So the Blackwood became deadwood and was dropped after a short run.

With a lesson learned, Lincoln has launched the Mark LT based on a high-end Ford F-150 with a Lincoln luxury spin. Although the broad outline of the Ford can be seen, the Lincoln clearly dominates. The grill, with the classic Lincoln chrome waterfall, dominates the front. Further large chrome band runs around the base of the front and sides and the headlights and taillights speak a high-end language. Inside, volumes of leather and wood dominate the landscape.

V-8 power in only one form arrives with the LT-a 300 horsepower SOHC 5.4 liter affair pushes this pickup truck.  Both 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive are available with a 4 speed automatic being the only transmission. Since it is a Lincoln, most of the features you would expect come standard. (See the specs for details). Pricing starts at a hair under $40,000.

Lincoln Looms Large
To test this latest Lincoln, a two-wheel drive version with a number of options was the Wheels road test vehicle of the week. Additional features over the "base" model included power adjustable petals ($120), running boards ($250), power rear window ($350), 18-inch chrome wheels ($695), chrome box rail bars ($250), and a reverse sensing system ($250). With these added, the total MSRP was $42,155.

Climbing into this Lincoln four door, 5-passenger pickup makes you realize this is a tall "truck". It simply looms large over lesser vehicles in both height and overall length. But inside one wonders if you have landed in a different pickup truck planet. Leather is found everywhere with piping of a different color running along the edges of the seats and elsewhere. The Lincoln symbol is embossed on everything from the seat backs to the top of the super large arm/storage bin. The multi colored dash is quite good looking in and of itself.

Chrome accents are on door handles, air vents, around the gearshift lever and the lever itself. Faux metal appears around the full set of gauges in the dash pod. Also found there is a computer info center for statistics (mileage, etc.), temperatures, and other data. Less thrilling are the clearly functional but not trendy looking stereo/CD and automatic air conditioning controls in the dash center surrounded by wood. The latter maybe wood, but it has a plastic look to it.

Besides controls for the cruise and stereo functions, the steering wheel has two buttons to handle the fan speed and temperature setting-a truly good idea. Another entertaining feature are the large side mirrors with built in directional indicators to let people behind the LT know that is this baby is turning.

In the ceiling is a "rail" system with movable bins and such. By loosening the locks, the bins can be moved to a location must useful to the riders or driver. One the modules can be the optional DVD screen and controls.

Lincoln On Lusitana
Certainly, pickup trucks have moved far from the buckboard ride of the past to something more pleasant but still with the ability to haul and do things.

The LT reinforces this view-the ride is generally smooth and composed on all venues. Nothing is permitted to upset the passengers in the leather cocoon. True the ride is slightly stiffer than a normal sedan, but this Lincoln also must have the ability to haul large and heavy loads so the suspension cannot be sloppy.

Because of its overall size and height, cornering is not stellar, but neither is it something to fear. Corners are handled without the Lincoln feeling like it is going to keel over. Steering is medium weighted and controls the course of action.

No question that the V-8 has some torque and is sufficient to move this large vehicle. One would expect a 5 or 6-speed automatic these days, but the 4 speed shifts without detection. Mileage, as one would expect, is nothing to write home about. The city EPA rating is 15 (19 for the highway). In the Honolulu commutes, the range was both below and above these numbers with a low of 12.1 mpg to a high of 20.3 for a largely freeway run.

The beautiful leather seats are fully powered with memory available, but they are relatively flats affairs with little or no side support.

If you want to see over the lesser souls in cars and even SUVs, this Lincoln will take care of that desire. But there is a price to pay. Maneuvering in tight or small parking lots takes some practice and compels the driver's attention.

Rear Chambers
With full-size rear doors and real seats in the back, actual comfort for the rear occupants is easily achieved. Again, leather abounds everywhere from the built in armrest to the two headrests. Two controllable air vents and two cupholders are found on the backside of the center console.

The seat bottoms can be easily flipped up against the back of the seat for storage of large, bulky or dirty items. An optional power-sliding rear window can be opened for additional ventilation.

The tall-sided 5 foot, 5 inch long bed can handle a more than modest load with its normal operating tailgate. At night, a light atop the back of the cabin brightens up the interior of the bed. The optional chrome rails on along the top, side of the bed reinforces the luxury theme.

Lincoln Pickup Luxury
This time around, Lincoln has chosen not ignore the buyer who wants a fully functional luxury pickup. No question this time, the Mark LT fills that niche unlike its predecessor, the Blackwood. Both inside and out screams Lincoln from the classic grill to the Lincoln symbols graphed on to the leather interior. Admittedly, size is an issue, but if size does count and luxury is a requirement for your pickup, this Mark is a better one than last one.

Q&A
Q: Why does the name of this Lincoln truck have the word "Mark" in it?

A: Starting in 1956 and for a few decades thereafter, there was a number of Lincoln sedans and coupes with the Mark name with a roman numeral (Mark VII, etc.). This time around the name appears with the new pickup but without the number.

High Beams
• This pickup looks inside and out like a Lincoln.
• This pickup functions like one, unlike the Blackwood.
• Even the back seat riders will love the luxury.

Low Beams
• Some of the center of the dash could be better.

– Ed Kemper is the auto columnist for the Honolulu Star Bulletin and MidWeek, the Weekend. He also hosts Wheels Hawaii TV on Oceanic Cable-Channel 16 in Hawaii, which is shown on Wednesday at 12:30 PM, Thursday at 1:00 PM and 5 PM, Friday at 10:30 PM and 9:30 PM, and Saturday at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

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