American?

Initially, purchasing an LS was a diversion from a long tradition of foreign imports. With its initials for "Luxury Sport", the LS debuted in 1999 as a 2000 model using a wheelbase shared by Jaguar's newly designed S-type (styled to reference old Jaguars of decades passed), and the Ford Thunderbird. The Mustang was slated to use the wheelbase as well for its re-design but opted for a smaller platform.

Initially, I was skeptical. With Ford's track record for favoring efficiency over quality, the Lincoln nameplate had suffered over the years with poor design (i.e., the Continental, retired in 2002-3). However, as a joint venture with Jaguar, I hoped that some of the Jaguar marque might possibly rub off on the LS (as opposed to the other way around). The LS and S-type share approximately 60% of mechanical parts).

The exterior presents an agressive, muscular profile with clean sleek lines, and a crouched feel. With the 18" wheels paired with performance, low profile tires, the LS has a powerful and strong stance on the ground, and handles solidly. The traditional Lincoln grille is reminiscent of the Navigator, and trim pieces over the front and lisence plate surround in the rear are tasteful. The large bulky chrome trim in the front and rear on the V6 automatic model and V8 non-sport model appears slapped-on and gaudy. I prefer the body-colored bumpers which give it a more sophisticated and refined feel.

Inside, the LS pleases again. The understated cabin is very similar to that of BMW, in some cases proving more functional and easy to use. The seats are more comfortable and supportive, and the power lumbar is well appreciated in long periods of driving. The in-dash 6 disc changer is simple to operate, and the wood trim, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob add a touch of luxury without going over the top. The trip computer and status feature are informative and priceless on a road trip. The trunk is large, but the hinges limit the capacity as they lower directly down into the trunk interior when closing the lid.

The cabin is incredibly quiet despite the 3.9L Jaguar-based V8 under the hood. The LS combines the wiper and turn signal function into one lever which frees up space on the right side. Inside, the LS is simple, modern, elegant, and does not distract from the driving experience. Gas mileage is considerably worse than what the sticker implies: the LS V8 Sport gets about 16.8 mpg in the city, and only about 21-22 mpg highway.

Which brings me to the point of the review. As an experienced driver, I couldn't believe the drive quality the LS offers. Completely connected and solidly grounded to the road, the LS offers punchy, almost exhilerating acceleration despite the fact that it's much heavier and larger than most other sport sedans. Cornering at high speeds, it doesn't sway or rock, and brakes promptly. Using the clutchless shift, when handled properly, the LS can offer powerful acceleration without clumsy shifting or jerking. The LS V8 is nimble, yet strong and stable. Highway driving is a pleasure; even at 80 mph, the LS stays quiet, competent, and smooth.

Is the LS a viable competitor to more expensive foreign cars? In some ways yes. When looking for purely performance in a luxury sports sedan, the Lexus G series or the Mercedes E class might offer slightly better acceleration and handling. However, the LS has by far outperformed previous domestic automaker's attempts to produce a real luxury sports sedans (primarily Cadillac's Catera, 2nd generation dubbed CTS).

To those who are annoyed by the automatic locking mechanism once the car is in gear, read your manual. Cycle through the setup feature on your on-board computer and you can turn automatic locks off, as well as adjust easy-entry and lock chirp.

The bottom line: The LS is a visually pleasing car both inside and out, that provides a one-of-a-kind driving experience never before offered by an American automaker.

Details:
2001 Lincoln LS 3.9 liter V8 with sport package
brushed aluminum 18" wheels with performance tires
exterior: midnight grey metallic, interior: light charcoal