The 2010 Lincoln MKZ is the high-class relative to the Ford Fusion and the Mercury Milan. It offers you loads of luxurious toys, awesome power, superior handling - and a lot of potential to make anyone that you desire to take notice. Lexus RX350 shoppers take note: the Lincoln MKZ is about to be loosed on the world - and it wants you to take a good look at it.

It will grab your eyes with its split-wing grille and hold your attention with its sleek design standards. Once you enter the cockpit for the first time, you may well develop a new addiction. It presents a variety of well-thought pleasures for drivers and passengers alike. One particularly interesting feature is the rear view camera that displays its images on your rearview mirror - or your 8-inch navigational system's touch-controlled screen if you prefer.

Other goodies include the SYNC voice control system, fully-adaptive HID headlamps, an ear-piercing THX sound system, a way-cool radar-based blind spot alert system - and a lot more. Make your choice of available front wheel or all wheel drive setups. Either way, you get a SelectShift 6-speed auto transmission that Lincoln promises to be powerful, durable and optimally smooth. One note of interest is that the driver is able to upshift at will, but downshifts are prevented electronically in order to prevent the engine from sustaining the abuses of over-revving.

Speaking of the engine, it's a 3.5L 263hp 249 lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V6 that will shoot you forward like a bullet from zero to sixty in only 7.1 seconds. ZOOM! And, Ford engineers made it so you will reach those quick speeds in a smooth and quiet fashion. The 2010 MKZ will be heard a bit though. That's because of the beefed-up resonators included on the air induction system.

The MKZ Sport Package is available to offer you a firmer suspension system featuring stiffened coil springs and a bigger set of stabilizer bars. The Sport version also features a dark grille and headlights along with piping that stands in obvious contrast - and eighteen inch Euroflange alloy wheels. The interiors of all models utilize high-grade materials and are obviously crafted with great care. The Sport MKZ shows off a unique interior design from the non-Sport models though.

All versions of the Lincoln MKZ for 2010 have been made quieter, smoother, more balanced and more fuel efficient. Fuel economy ratings are reported at 24-28/17-18 mpg highway/city. CO2 emissions have been estimated at 0.9 to 0.99 lb/mile. All versions of the 2010 MKZ have smaller turning radii than do the 2009 models.

The 2010 Lincoln MKZ is one awesome vehicle in terms of safety as well. As you would expect from a Lincoln, there are loads of standard safety features in place to optimally protect you and your passengers at all times. Take it for granted that when the Lincoln Company releases any product, it is going to be superior to many of its competitors. There's just no doubt about it. MSRPs are reported to begin in the low $36,000 range. Be on the lookout in the spring of 2009 - the new MKZ is coming!