MKX-imum effect

The first thing you do when you arrive in a new city is point out all the things that are the same as back home and all those that you’d never see back home. Coming from Europe, landing in Dubai was more of a shock as a result of how many things the two places have in common.

Go to the Marina and take away the sunshine, and you could be in London. Go to Bur Dubai and do the same, and you could be in some of Madrid’s backstreets. However, one thing that stands out above all else is the choice of cars on offer here. Back in the old countries, the emphasis is all on economy. People want to travel the furthest they can for the least amount of money, and be able to park their car along the pokey streets when they arrive at their destination. Economical travelling often means small cars. That is why you don’t find many Lincolns in Europe.

Here though, there are wide open spaces, petrol is cheaper than water and parking spaces are a doddle as long as you stick to the major conurbations. So you could say Lincolns are perfectly suited to Dubai. They are large, middling on the economical drive and extremely comfortable. The MKX is no exception.

The Lincoln MKX represents strength and elegance perfectly blended in a refined yet dynamic design. With features like the six-speed automatic transmission, available all-wheel-drive, standard heated-and-cooled front seats and available heated rear seats, the Lincoln MKX is poised to meet the ever increasing demands of discriminating new car buying customers.

Since its debut as a 2007 model, the MKX has defined Lincoln’s presence in the fastest-growing premium crossover segment with its features. It blends modern Lincoln design with a sporty stance, a powerful 3.5-litre engine and quiet interior.

Technological advances on the MKX include a panoramic VistaRoof and adaptive headlamps that move with the steering wheel. A suite of standard features including AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control) and solid uni-body construction have helped the car earn a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Being a crossover, designers of such vehicles really look to create more cabin space than other vehicles and usually do this at the expense of exterior styling. However, I’m sure you’ll agree, the MKX does look very pretty. It is not some gargantuan beast and yet not a jumped up hatchback. It looks poised and agile and gives off a rather un-American vibe until you get to that fearsome grill and then it really shows it’s one of Uncle Sam’s finest. Get one in black and you really do look like you mean business.

Sit inside and the most striking aspect is the quietness of the ride. The MKX boasts the quietest Lincoln interior yet. In addition to conventional sound-absorbing techniques such as a thick dash pad, laminated windshield and thick side glass, it mixes unique materials to reduce road noise in the cabin. A constrained-layer barrier is fused to the rear wheelhouses, and sound-deadening material is welded behind exterior trim panels.

The interior design is defined by a sweeping instrument panel flowing into a clean, well-organised centre stack. Wood and bright nickel accents are carried to the door panels.

Interior controls are bathed in Lincoln’s cool-white light for a pleasing night time cabin experience...

To keep yourself amused, the Lincoln offers the industry’s first THXII-Certified audio system and a host of other standard gadgets.

Under the bonnet, the V-6 is meaty enough to satisfy a good blast down the highway. And let’s face it, if you are in the market for one of these you are not even remotely interested in the 0-60 mph. What you want to know is that the car is safe, reliable and spacious. It’ll get you and your family where you want to go with ease and you’ll look good as you go along too.

david@khaleejtimes.com