Background: The four-door, V/8-powered Lincoln Town Car evokes images of luxury and opulence. Ford Motor Co. revamped, reenginered and redesigned its flagship Lincoln-division offering for the 1998 model year. The luxury sedan's exterior is much less boxy this season with more rounded nuances. Overall length decreases by about 3.5 inches and trunk volume is slightly less than last year. But interior dimensions including head and leg room remain the same. Town Car looped off excess bumper overhang to trim Town Car. The rear-wheel drive, well-equipped Town Cars began arriving in dealerships last November. Many limousine companies employ Town Car's services because of its good-sized trunk and six-passenger seating.
New for 1998: The long list of 1998 model-year enhancements include standard leather seating surfaces, all-speed traction control now standard, larger, more effective front brakes and an improved suspension and chassis providing firmer ride and quieter interior. Rear heat and air conditioning ducts are new too.
Trim Levels and Price: Town Car offers three different trim levels at three different price breaks. The Executive, the least-expensive Town Car offering, has a manufacturer's suggested retail price $37,830. The Signature checks in at $39,490 while the most-opulent Cartier starts at $41,830. All prices include destination charge. This year, the Signature edition includes its first-ever Touring Sedan option which adds chrome alloy wheels, upgraded suspension, increased horsepower and upgraded leather upholstery. Ford Motor Co. provided us with a Signature Touring Sedan edition with extras including trunk-mounted compact disc changer and heated seats. The bottom line totaled $41,785. Starting prices on both the Signature and Cartier Series have been reduced from 1997 prices.
Engine: Both the Executive and Signature series feature a refined, electronically-fuel injected, 4.6-liter, V-8 powertrain this model year delivering 200 horsepower. The Cartier and Signature Touring Sedan include a 4.6-liter V/8 with dual exhausts, increasing horsepower output to 220.
Safety features: Reduced-force front dual air bags, remote keyless entry, child-safe rear door locks, anti-lock brakes, all-speed traction control and five-mile-per-hour bumpers all come standard. In the unlikely event of coolant loss, Town Car can be driven a short distance to the nearest service center for needed repairs. Town Car also incorporates the SecuriLock anti-theft system which prevents engine operation without a specially coded ignition key.
Standard equipment: Town Car comes well equipped with many amenities standard. Air conditioning, rear-window defroster, cruise control, tilt steering wheel, premium stereo sound system with cassette tape player, power windows and door locks, heated power sideview mirrors, four-wheel disc brakes and intermittent windshield wipers are standard fare in all trim levels.
Options: A power moonroof is a $1,515 option in Signature and Cartier models. Heated front seats and upgraded audio center are options in the Signature addition only. A trunk-mounted compact disc changer adds $585 to the price.
Exterior: Town Car incorporates all-new sheet metal and extensive chrome highlights providing a slightly 1950's nostalgic flavor. The most obvious update is the rear roof line which use to include a 90-degree, boxed angle but is now more rounded, creating a more contemporary look. The revised front grille incorporates vertical chrome bars with the rectangular Lincoln Star logo at the apex and a headlight design that wraps around to the side fenders. Taillights increase in size too this season. Like the 1998, full-size Ford Crown Victoria, Town Car now includes larger, 16-inch tires, which replace 15-inch versions standard last year. Larger tires improve road-hugging characteristics, especially during wet road surface conditions. The four exterior strap-like door handles are also chrome enchanted. Outside side-view mirrors are body-colored, and fold in (breakaway design) if the Town Car rides too close to immovable objects. The radio antenna is molded into the rear window. Exterior color choices include the following clearcoat metallic colors: light blue, medium charcoal blue, medium charcoal green, medium gold, midnight gray, bright toreador red, sliver frost, light prairie tan and cordovan. Clearcoat colors include black and vibrant white.
Interior: The stereo system is centrally located on the dashboard. The digital clock is part of the radio frequency display (Cartier editions have a separate analog clock.) Our steering wheel was home to secondary volume and station selection radio controls as well as cruise control functions. Headlights activate from a dashboard dial right of the steering wheel but illuminate automatically when windshield wipers are in use. The left-hand side turn signal indicator is also home to windshield wiper activation. The revised instrument cluster incorporates a circular, centrally-located analog speedometer (instead of a digital version) surrounded by compass, fuel gauge and other readouts. Circular trunk and fuel-door release buttons are found on the driver's door. Also found on the two front door are forward-and-back power seat controls. Town Cars with the heated seat option also have these controls on the driver's door. A series of toggle-like buttons control fan speed, direction and temperature settings. Below this rectangular ventilation center is a pull-out ash tray and cigarette lighter tandem which is also home to two cup holders. When in use, cans or cups block easy access to temperature controls.
Seating comfort: Since the automatic transmission shifter is located on the steering column, floor space opens up save for the floor hump running down the center. Leather seating surfaces are standard fare in all Town Car trim levels. Front seating incorporates a 40-20-40 design and a armrest that folds up if a front center passenger is on board. Even though Town Car's roof design is more rounded than angled, there's plenty of headroom in front and back. Three adults can fit in back although the relatively high placement of back seat temperature vents could make things a bit breezy for anyone sitting in the middle for any length of time.
Dimensions: Wheelbase: 11717 inches Overall length: 215.3 inches Width: 78.2 inches Height: 58.0 inches Curb weight: 4,020 inches Front headroom: 39.2 inches
Trunk: Even though the trunk is slightly smaller in size this season, it's still huge in comparison to most rivals. The deep design could accommodate four golf bags if needed. A back shelf adds storage options and is also where the spare tire sits. Trunk volume measures 20.6 cubic feet down from 22.3 last year.
Target audience: Town Car buyers are skewed to the mature end of the age spectrum appealing to empty-nest couples over 60 years-of age and professionals and executives in their 50s.
Fuel economy: Both V/8 engines produce identical gas mileage estimates of 17 miles per gallon city and 25 m.p.g. highway. While not great, it's in line with many V/8-powered sedans. The fuel tank holds 19 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline (down from a 20-gallon tank last year.) Premium fuel may also be used if so desired. The locking fuel door is found on the driver's side back fender and includes a tethered cap attached to the car.
Final thoughts: If Town Car were human, the argument could be made this year's version lost some weight and is a bit more trimmer and peppier than last year. It also moves smoother with less bounce because of enhancements. Rear-wheel drive provides the car with better balance since many transmission components are located in the rear rather than near the engine. Traction control is an important feature in rear-wheel drive cars since it helps control wheel spin during inclement weather conditions. Ford Motor Co. is the only domestic manufacturer currently assembling large, six-passenger rear-wheel drive sedans |