Thursday, August 28th, 2008
4×4 pickup trucks sure have changed over the past few decades. Once reserved for commercial applications or hauling hay and feed around the farm with barely a heater and windshield wipers, these versatile vehicles have been transformed into what is often the family four-door, the four-wheel-drive king cab commuter, or the cause of envy at local drag strips. And for a few years now there have been some new players strutting onto the field with a box attached to a luxury vehicle. Lincoln has taken two stabs at this segment so far, the first being the forgettable and misguided Blackwood and more recently the Mark LT, also known as a thinly-disguised Ford F-150. Over at General Motors, luxury division Cadillac has been a bit more thorough with its dressing up of the Chevrolet Avalanche, with the result being the 2007 Cadillac Escalade EXT.
With its rear box, the all-wheel-drive EXT is technically a pickup truck, one that features an innovative fold-down midgate that effectively creates a full-size bed. But, aside from that design element, the EXT is much like the rest of the 2007 Cadillac Escalade lineup, with the same fresh face accented by vertically-stacked bright headlight housings and an expansive chrome grille inspired by the Cadillac Sixteen concept car. There are clean new body lines with tighter gaps, front fender vents, and integrated running boards. The new Escalades get an interior distinct from the lesser Chevy and GMC versions, with an attractive dash layout and generous use of leather. Added luxury comes in the form of an optional heated steering wheel, a touch-screen navigation system, a rear DVD entertainment system, a surround sound system by Bose, and 18- or 22-inch chrome alloy wheels.
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Wednesday, August 13th, 2008
The Mark LT is based on the Ford F-150, which is a fine-looking truck. Some people usually don’t like the way a crew cab pickup looks with a short bed – they feel its out of balance. The Mark LT’s bed is 67″ long. Long enough for real usefulness, especially if you spring for the optional bed extender. Bed width at the wheelhouse is 50″, so a 4×8 sheet of plywood can be easily placed on to it.
The Mark LT 4X4’s 9.1″ of ground clearance will be useful on the ranch – make sure you have the skid plates and the platform running boards. The running boards are appreciable, as it’s a serious climb up into the cab. The 4×4 Lincoln Mark LT’s interior is a mixed bag. It’s not that different than the Ford F-150’s, with the exception of a few “Lincoln” badges here and there. That’s a good thing, actually – the F-150 dash is fresh and modern. Lincoln should have upgraded some of the dash materials, though. The pebbled plastic feels really cheap to the touch, and the ebony wood grain is not appreciated.
The steering wheel is wrapped with leather, but doesn’t feature a telescope adjustment, only tilt. These 4×4 pickups come equipped with Light Parchment leather seats. The back seat is really pretty useful and roomy. It’s easy to get in and out, thanks to the full-size doors and pretty good access. It’s not something great, but it’s not bad for two adults. There’s even a fold down armrest, and a rear seat entertainment package can be ordered with a ceiling-mounted video screen and DVD player.
The crew cab setup also helps with security for everyday driving in town. The rear seat folds up easily, leaving a flat load floor in the rear cabin. Like the F-150, the Mark LT is quite a behemoth. Make no mistake, this is a full-sized pickup truck. No matter how many luxury features you tack on, it’s still body-on-frame with a solid live rear axle with leaf springs. The front suspension is double-wishbone with coil-over shocks and a stabilizer bar.
The ride is good for a truck but there is still some bouncing in the rear, though, on the highway, especially over expansion joints and rough roads. However, the Mark LT is available with only one engine choice: a 5.4 liter V8 that cranks out 300 hp and 365 lb ft of torque. The Mark LT comes with a four-speed, with no option for an upgrade. With a healthy 8900 lb towing capacity, another gear would be a welcome addition.
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