Lincoln LS
2000–2002 Lincoln LS
Overview
Manufacturer	Lincoln Motor Company (Ford Motor Company)
Production	1999–2006
Model years	2000–2006
Assembly	Wixom, Michigan, U.S.
Designer	Helmuth Schrader (1995)
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-sizeluxury car (E-segment /executive car)
Body style	4-doorsedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Ford DEW98 platform
Related	Ford Thunderbird Jaguar S-Type Jaguar XF
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 LJaguar AJ / (Ford Duratec)V6 (gasoline) 3.9 LJaguar AJV8 (gasoline)
Transmission	2000–2002Getrag 221 5-speedmanual 2000–2002Ford 5R55N 5-speedautomatic 2003–2006Ford 5R55S 5-speedautomatic w/ SelectShift
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114.5 in (2,908 mm)
Length	2000–2005: 193.9 in (4,925 mm) 2006: 194.3 in (4,935 mm)
Width	73.2 in (1,859 mm)
Height	2000–2002: 57.2 in (1,453 mm) 2003–2006: 56.1 in (1,425 mm)
Curb weight	3,692 lb (1,675 kg)
Chronology
Successor	Lincoln MKZ andLincoln MKS

TheLincoln LS is a four-door, five-passenger luxury sedan manufactured and marketed byFord'sLincoln division over a single generation from 1999 until 2006. Introduced in June 1999 for the 2000 model year, the LS featuredrear-wheel drive and near 50/50weight distribution^[1] and was available with aV8 orV6, the latter initially offered with amanual transmission. The LS aimed to provide a blend of luxury and sport to attract a new generation of buyers to the Lincoln brand.

The LS shared theFord DEW98 platform with theJaguar S-Type and theFord Thunderbird. Trim levels ranged from the base V6 model to the Special Edition V8 LSE trims in 2004, with revised front and rear fascia, taillights and foglights, and front grille.

LS models were manufactured atFord'sWixom Assembly Plant until production ended on April 3, 2006, and the plant was idled as part of Ford'sThe Way Forward. Approximately 262,900 were manufactured, including 2,331 with manual transmissions and 1,500 LSE editions.^[2]

In 1999, the LS debuted as Lincoln's first rear-wheel drive sport luxury sedan for the 2000 model year, under the influence of the newly establishedPremier Automotive Group.

Lincoln originally intended to market the sedan in two versions, theLS6 and theLS8, the names reflecting their respective engine layouts.Toyota'sLexus division noted concern about the potential name confusion with itsLexus LS full-size luxury sedan, and Lincoln ended up using only the name "LS".^[3] At the same time, Ford threatened a lawsuit regarding the Toyota T150 concept, arguing that the name was too close to that of theF150, so Toyota changed the name of their pickup truck to theTundra.

In designing the LS to be competitive in its segment, the LS' German-born chief designer, said of the car, "In a segment defined and dominated by BMW and Mercedes, the car had to have a functional, no-nonsense look. This redefines the Lincoln brand, but we still had to make sure it was recognizable as a member of the same family as theTown Car,Continental,Mark VIII, and theNavigator."^[4] The LS featured understated exterior and interior styling.

Leather seating surfaces were standard, and the steering wheel could be wood or leather-wrapped, with the interior featuring wood accents. Standard features included power windows, power door locks with keyless entry, power heated mirrors, automatic headlights, air conditioning with automatic climate control, cruise control, and an AM/FM cassette radio. Available options included a six-disc in-dash CD changer (only accessible through the glove box initially; changed on later models), a power moonroof, and a universal garage door opener.

The LS shared platforms and equipment with the Jaguar S-Type. TheDEW98 platform usedindependentdouble wishbone (short-long arm; SLA) front and rear suspensions and a 114.5-inch (2,910 mm) wheelbase. Four-wheelantilock disc brakes were standard. The optionaltraction control system was marketed as Ford'sAdvanceTrac. Numerous suspension components, as well as the hood, decklid, and front fenders, werealuminum. The LS came with standard 16-inch alloy wheels, while 17-inch wheels were available through an optional sport package. The sport package for an extra $1,000 included a stiffer suspension, 17-inch wheels, and manual shift capability for the automatic transmission. The battery of the LS was located in the spare tire well in the car's trunk.

The base LS had an all-aluminum 3.0 LDOHC V6 was a variant of theJaguar AJ-V6 engine. Optional was an all-aluminum 3.9 L DOHC V8, a shorter-stroke variant of the Jaguar 4.0 LAJ-26 V8. Both engines required premium-grade gasoline. Ford's5R55S five-speed automatic transmission with an optional manual shift ability calledSelectShift was standard with either engine. In contrast, aGetrag 221 five-speedmanual transmission was available for V6-equipped LS models when equipped with an optional sport package. Automatic transmission-equipped cars featured a 3.58:1 rear-axle ratio, while manual transmission-equipped versions had a 3.07:1 rear-axle ratio. Lincoln stopped production of the manual-transmission model LS after 2,331 were manufactured.

The powertrain control module in 2000 through 2002 automatic transmission models with theSelectShift option was initially programmed to prevent launching in first gear; i.e., the car would default to a second gear launch.^{[citation needed]} A first-gear launch was available by depressing the throttle by more than 60%.^{[citation needed]} Second-gear launches were programmed to meetEPA fuel economy regulations. For the 2003 model year, first-gear launches were programmed into the transmission, reflecting revised fuel economy regulations.^{[citation needed]}

In 2002, the LSE (Limited Special Edition) package was introduced in V6 and V8 versions, with a revised fascia including round fog lamp openings and a special metallic grille treatment, with enlarged lower body rocker panels, special wheels, and twin dual-exhaust tailpipes. Also for 2002, V6-equipped LS models gained 10 hp (7.5 kW) and 10 lb⋅ft (14 N⋅m) of torque.

The LS received a refresh for 2003, coinciding with Lincoln's then-new "Travel Well" ad campaign. The exterior receivedHID headlamps (optional) and a revised trunk lid with revised taillights.

Both available engines received a boost in power and torque, as well as slightly improved fuel efficiency. The 3.0 L DOHC V6 with which the LS was introduced now featuredcontinuously variable intake cam timing, improvedvariable-length intake runners, and electronic"drive-by-wire" throttle control (which replaced the traditional mechanical cable-linked throttle control system used previously). The optional 3.9 L DOHCV8 introducedvariable exhaust-valve timing.^[5] Due to its upgraded design, the 3.9 L V8 now produced over 87% of its peak torque output at only 2000 rpm, thus cars equipped with the V8 could now accelerate from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in around 6.5 seconds.^[6]

Other revisions included an electronic push-buttonparking brake (similar to that of theBMW E657 Series), replacing the center console-mounted hand lever (or foot pedal), a touchscreen DVD satellite navigation map system, and an industry-first, 10-speakerTHX-certified sound system. LSE versions were also available in the 2004 and 2005 model years, with uniquefascia, unique 17-inch wheels, all-red taillights, a color-keyed grille, unique floormats, and additional wood paneling in the interior.^[7]

Early LS models had a mechanical engine cooling fan operated with a hydraulic pump because the electrical charging system had insufficient capacity to power an electric fan effectively. However, a revisedalternator enabled the implementation of an electric fan for the 2003 through 2006 models.

The 2003 to 2006 GPS navigation system uses aDVD player mounted in the trunk (under the package tray) to contain the map data.

For 2006, the LS received exterior revision similar to the LSE fascia trim from previous model years. The V6-powered model was dropped from the lineup. The base MSRP increased from $32,370 in 2004 to $39,285.

The Lincoln LS was namedMotor Trend'sCar of the Year for 2000 and was also nominated for theNorth American Car of the Year award. Road tests byMotor Trend andCar and Driver found that a V8-equipped LS could accelerate from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in the low seven-second range, while V6 models were up to two seconds slower in the same test, while driving dynamics were impressive considering that Lincoln's other offerings were weak in this regard compared to luxury imports. The LS was touted for its value as a sport sedan since it undercut other mid-size luxury (E-segment /executive car) offerings from German and Japanese marques; the LS V8 was priced similarly to six-cylinder-equipped versions of theBMW 5 Series andLexus GS. While larger and roomier, the LS was also less refined than its competitors in terms of interior quality and handling.^[8] Some reviewers lamented Lincoln's choice to discontinue the LS after just one generation rather than release a second generation to keep the LS nameplate competitive.^[9]

The Lincoln LS has received very high marks in occupant protection. TheInsurance Institute for Highway Safety has rated the LS as a "Best Pick" with a perfect score in their frontal offset crash test. TheNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the LS almost perfect scores in its front impact, side-impact and rollover tests.^[10] TheCNBC rated the LS as “one of the five safest cars of all time.”

• 1999 Lincoln introduced the LS as a 2000 model.
• 2000Motor Trend magazine named the LS “Car of the Year”.
• 2001 LS earned double five-star frontal safety ratings from the federal government.
• 2003 More than 500 revisions, including a power increase, design, and interior changes.
• 2004 LS earned a “Best Pick” safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
• 2006 LS production ended in April after 262,900 were built over 7 years.

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• Lincoln LS (archived)

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