This newest generation
Lincoln Town Car was designed in California two years ago with rounded lines and a trimmer, less formal look than before. Handling is better than ever. The Town Car offers a smooth ride and comfortable accommodations. Getting in and out is easy.
However, the competition from Cadillac and Japan is stiff.
Most Town Car buyers will choose from Signature Series ($40,630) and Cartier Series ($43,130) models. The Executive Series ($38,630) is sold primarily as a fleet car.
The base engine (available on the Executive and Signature Series) is a 205-horsepower 4.6-liter V8.
A more powerful 220-horsepower V8 with dual exhaust is standard on the Cartier and is available with the Touring Sedan option package on the Signature.
In addition to the stronger engine, the Signature Touring Sedan package gets larger 235/60R16 tires on unique 16-inch alloy wheels, a beefed-up torque converter in the transmission, a 3.55:1 rear-axle ratio for quicker acceleration, and revised springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bars for a sportier ride. With more than 20 special parts designed to improve performance, the Touring Sedan package is well worth its $700 price.
For 2000, Lincoln has added the Cartier L, the first factory-produced long-wheelbase Town Car. The body is extended six inches at the factory, providing a more luxurious ride and more legroom in the rear cabin. Wider door openings, heated rear seats, a folding armrest with storage bins, rear audio and climate controls, mood lighting and a cigar-sized ashtray make this a luxurious ride for those with chauffeurs. An Executive Series version will also be produced as a limousine for the livery market.
The Town Car upholds the time-honored American luxury car formula of rear-wheel drive, a V8 engine, smooth ride, seating for six, a huge trunk, and lots of luxury amenities. The current design sports complex reflector headlamps and a pursed-lips grille, as well a chrome license plate surround and big corner-mounted tail lamps. It is 3.7 inches shorter than the previous generation, mainly from chopping the front overhang, and the base of the windshield has been moved forward 4 inches to produce a more swept shape for improved aerodynamics.
Our test car was a Signature Series with the Touring Sedan package. In addition to the potent performance tweaks, this version gets perforated leather seats, and a special black birds-eye woodgrain finish on the instrument panel and doors, and is available in seven colors.
