| Independent Thinking: Fully independent suspension, total comfort
The dampers, spring rates and bushings in the fully independent suspension of the Lincoln Zephyr have been specially selected and tuned with emphasis on comfort and confident response.
"As soon as you sit in Zephyr - before you even start it - you know this is a Lincoln ," says Baldori. "The driving experience reinforces that. You have the feeling of confidence, comfort and sportiness in a balanced package that is fun to drive."
Engineers sought a well-controlled feeling for what they refer to as Lincoln Zephyr's "primary ride," which involves vehicle movement in response to large changes in road surfaces, such as undulations at intersections. To achieve a satisfactory primary ride, the suspension geometry was carefully optimized. In addition, Lincoln Zephyr's fully independent suspension helps to soak up road imperfections, such as expansion joints in highways.
The front suspension of Lincoln Zephyr is a short- and long-arm (SLA) design, with a double-ball-joint control arm and coil-over damper suspension. In comparison with the more common MacPherson strut arrangement, the SLA design puts the effective kingpin axis farther outboard. This contributes to a reduced scrub radius and helps to isolate steering from undesirable feedback and less sensitivity to wheel imbalance.
Rebound springs in the front dampers help reduce harshness at the extremes of wheel travel. In addition, they help to reduce vehicle pitch under acceleration and limit body roll during cornering.
For the rear suspension, Lincoln Zephyr uses a multi-link arrangement. Bushing rates were tuned to give Lincoln Zephyr a softer secondary ride quality, for comfort that is appropriate for a mid-size luxury sedan.
2006 Lincoln Zephyr Safety: The essential luxury
Lincoln Zephyr incorporates a number of highly advanced safety technologies. It was designed with Ford's Personal Safety System and a body structure optimized to help manage energy in a crash.
Lincoln Zephyr's Personal Safety System includes standard driver and front passenger air bags, seat-deployed side air bags for thorax protection, and three-point safety belts at all seating positions, with front-seat pretensioners and retractors. A full-length safety curtain provides head-protection coverage over the length of the window glass area - from A-pillar to C-pillar.
The new air bags can prevent both front and rear occupants from hitting their heads on the side window or roof pillars in a severe side collision. In addition, the side-curtain air bag can help block glass splinters or other objects that could cause injury in a side impact.
Lincoln Zephyr's new two-row air curtains also feature "roll-fold" technology - exclusive in the mid-size segment. If an occupant is resting his or her head against a window, the air bag is designed to slide between the glass and occupant as it fills. Typical side air curtains unfold like an accordion, using the occupant's head to keep the bag between the glass and the body. Lincoln's roll-fold keeps the air curtain against the glass, even when the occupant is out of position.
Lincoln Zephyr features four-wheel disc brakes with a 4-sensor, 3-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD). By measuring brake force and directing braking to the wheels that have the best grip, EBD helps achieve shorter stopping distances even before ABS activates. Traction assist is also standard.
Closing Thoughts: Delivering on the promise
Lincoln Mercury's revitalization is built on strong products: 11 new vehicles, in six new segments, including five new Lincolns over four years. The Lincoln Zephyr follows the Mark LT truck and the concept version of the next-generation Aviator as the third new Lincoln unveiled thus far - all three in new segments for the brand.
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