Surprising new themes for products emerge in the 2006 slate of products by Lincoln from the Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Company. Lincoln classics return, such as elegant Town Car the flagship sedan and humongous Navigator premium SUV, plus the LS sport-tuned performance sedan. Lincoln gets a new mid-size luxury sedan called Zephyr, as well as thier first truck - the Mark LT with full-size dimensions and a plush five-seat cabin.

Lincoln's touring sedan employs the label of LS, as in Luxury Sport. With mid-size dimensions and four doors fixed on a leather-lined cabin for five riders, the tight machine rides on a rigid unibody structure and features liberal applications of lightweight aluminum for body panels and suspension components. For 2006, Lincoln whittles LS to a single trim -- the V8 Sport, which gains a chrome grille, round foglamps in front fascia and 17-inch aluminum wheels. The LS V8 Sport carries a 3.9-liter aluminum V8 worth 280 hp through a five-speed electronic automatic transmission with H-gate SelectShift controls.

Two new optional packages (Elite and Premium) show up this year, each stacking more popular equipment aboard. Standard safety gear includes an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), as options range from side curtain-style air bags to Ford's AdvanceTrac electronic stability enhancement system.

Lincoln continues to refine the elegant Town Car flagship series of full-size sedans. Entry model is called Signature, with the upgrade labeled Signature Limited, then premium Designer and a stretched version cast as Signature L. All Town Cars for 2006 provide ample firepower through a big engine tuned with low-torque output so a driver feels the juice flowing through all four forward gears. The single-cam 4.6-liter V8 produces 239 hp and ties to a smooth automatic transmission.

All versions of Town Car for 2006 roll on new 17-inch wheels, with 12-spoke machined aluminum wheels going to Signature, 10-spoke aluminum wheels for Signature Limited and Signature L, and 18-spoke chromed aluminum wheels for the Designer edition. Also, there are new colors on the paint palette like Pewter Clearcoat Metallic, Dark Cherry Clearcoat Metallic and two new two-tone combinations.

Lincoln's luxurious full-size SUV stocks a massive V8 engine and a vast cabin for seven or eight passengers on three tiers with a standard third-row bench that tucks into the cargo floor. Navigator's 5.4-liter V8 delivers 300 hp through a six-speed automatic transmission. For safety, the AdvanceTrac anti-skid gizmo with Roll Stability Control (RSC) is aboard, along with curtain-style air bags, and an all-wheel-drive (AWD) model is available.

Lincoln's big SUV provides an extensive array of standard features in two variations labeled Luxury and Ultimate. The Ultimate edition adds power to open the rear liftgate, a power moonroof, heated and cooled front bucket seats plus power controls for folding the third-row seat into the floor. New Elite Package for Ultimate applies 18-inch chrome wheels, a navigation system, Soundmark deluxe audio gear, high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, a backseat video entertainment kit and power running boards. (CONTINUED...)