According to CarsDirect, Lincoln has dropped the
top-level Black Label trim from the MKZ for 2019. And with it, the American
luxury marque has rolled out a series of other adjustments. Aside from the discontinuation of
the Black Label edition, the 2019 Lincoln MKZ now offers the Co-Pilot360 suite
of driver-assistance and safety systems on lower-level models, while limiting
the top engine to only the top versions.
Though it previously offered the suite only on the
MKZ Select (and upwards) equipped with the optional Tech Package, buyers will
now be able to order Lincoln Co-Pilot360 on any model even on the base model,
which starts at just US$ 36,990 (delivered). That’s just US$ 460 more than last
year’s base price, and ostensibly makes the MKZ a more tempting proposition for
tech-savvy buyers.
In adjusting the trim levels, Lincoln has replaced
the Premiere, Select, and Reserve trims with a new base model, Reserve I, and
Reserve II. That could make it simpler for customers to wrap their heads
around, but the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine option is now being offered only
on the top version, which carries a US$ 48,740 MSRP (in front-drive form, or US$ 51,740 with all-wheel drive).
The bigger question is whether Lincoln will continue
offering Black Label versions of its other models, and whether the MKZ will
soldier on for much longer. Ford is discontinuing the Fusion on which the MKZ
is based as the manufacturer moves away from passenger cars and towards a more
crossover-centric lineup.
