On the standard Mark VIII, the grille, bodyside mouldings, and headlamp/
taillamp trim are chrome; on the LSC, they're body-colored. Even though
the new grille is larger than on the '96 Mark VIII, it's still smaller
than the enormous wraparound headlamp housings. In fact, the lamp housings
are the largest in the industry, and they cast a cool, bluish beam that's
wider and longer than standard lamps.
The neon taillamps are also generously sized. The taillamp system is
actually a single 48-in. wide neon tube, which extends the full width of
the vehicle--running across the top of a trunk-mounted light bar--and wraps
around the rear fenders. The tube, which is hidden by the molding, projects
light downward onto a reflective surface, and then out through a clear
acrylic lens.
According to Lincoln, the neon illuminates 198 milliseconds faster than
standard incandescent bulbs--which means that, at speeds of 60 mph, drivers
following along behind can reduce their stopping distance by an average
of 17.5 feet. The upshot is fewer rear-end collisions.
Integrated into the side mirrors is a security lamp that illuminates
the ground when the door is unlocked using the keyless remote. On the bottom
edge of the mirror housings, a line of red LED lights blink in tandem with
the turn signals. These lights are visible to trailing cars, but are positioned
so as not to distract the driver.
Although the hood, fascias and fenders have been restyled, the shape
of the '97 Mark VIII is not radically different than the '96--except that
its corners are more rounded, and its sleek, elegant lines are more sloping.
And the vestigial decklid wheel hump has been downplayed to the point that
it barely evokes the more prominent bulge of bygone years.
As you might surmise, a luxury sport coupe with a $38,000-plus base
price is bountifully appointed. The standard Mark VIII comes equipped with
the following goodies: Speed-sensitive variable-assist power steering,
aluminum-alloy lacy-spoke wheels, air conditioning with automatic climate
control, power windows/door locks/heated mirrors, message center with trip
computer, burled walnut wood applique, leather seats, leather-wrapped steering
wheel and gear shift, power-tilt telescopic steering column, driver's seat
memory with remote recall for two users, six-way driver and passenger power
seats with Autoglide seating system, power-adjusted lumbar support, rear-seat
heat ducts, speed control, remote keyless entry and universal garage door
opener.
That's a long list, and it gives the Mark VIII an exceptional value
quotient.
Inside our roomy LSC, the plush perforated-leather seats were accented
in grand fashion by the burled-walnut trim on the door panels and console.
The new instrument panel is highlighted by brighter, more stylized gauges
and a multi-function electronic message center that seems to keep tabs
on everything but the New York Stock Exchange. In a somewhat amusing display
of conspicuous driver-indulgence, the display distinguishes between "Vehicle"
settings and "Personality" settings.
The Vehicle settings permit the driver to do things like turn on the
traction control and monitor the distance to your next oil change. The
Personality system performs functions like locking all doors when the the
car passes three mph and tilting the side mirrors to reflect the curbside
when the car is shifted into reverse.
When the key is removed from the ignition, the driver's seat eases back
two inches while the steering column whirs upward--allowing for maximum
exit clearance (especially handy after consuming that massive slab of prime
rib at the country club.)
The leather seats were so cushiony we were tempted to settle in with
our favorite novel and a cup of herbal tea. And if you can't get comfortable
in one of the many configurations offered by the various power adjustments,
you're just too hard to please.
On a more functional level, the '97 Mark engine features a new air intake
system, which has been relocated further away from the driver's cabin.
Those changes, in concert with improvements in body insulation and sealing,
combine to significantly reduce engine noise.
Meanwhile, the new coil-on-plug ignition system--in which each spark
plug has its own coil--helps extend tune-up intervals to 100,000 miles--presuming,
of course, normal driving conditions and regular fluid changes.
The 4.6-liter twincam 32-valve InTech V8 engine sends 280 horsepower
to the rear wheels on the standard Mark VIII, and 290 on the LSC. That
added up to plenty of launch power in our test car, as well as excellent
response at highway-passing speeds.
And make no mistake--when it comes to handling, cornering and weavy
lane-changes, the Mark VIII is light years away from its floaty Town Car
cousin. Thanks to its new speed-sensitive variable-assist steering, new
all-speed traction control, larger front stabilizer bars and retuned shocks,
the LSC proudly lived up to its sport-coupe credentials, as it nimbly and
confidently negotiated twisty country roads north of Detroit.