True American Luxury - The 2009 Lincoln Town Car

The Town Car is Lincoln's classic and trademark rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan.  The 2009 Lincoln Town Car is a carryover from the previous year, with a few minimal changes.  The Town Car has actually changed very little since its overhaul in 2003.  For 2009 the Designer and Signature trims have been removed.  The remaining trims include the Signature Limited and Signature L. The Signature L sedan is 6 inches longer than its mate in both overall and wheelbase length. Two additional series are available for limousine and livery use. The Town Car is appealing for its spacious six-person seating and cavernous trunk, with plenty of storage.  This is a traditional American luxury sedan. The Town Car is the highest-rated American car in the mid-luxury segment, according to a J.D.Power and Associates customer-satisfaction study; 60 percent of all Town Car customers are repeat buyers. Some 75 percent of limousine and livery fleets are made up of this large American luxury sedan. The 2009 Town Car has an EPA fuel economy of 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway; it has a starting MSRP of $46,385 - $52,055.

Town Car Power

 The big Lincoln's powerplant may be a bit ancient but its an under-stressed engine with significantly more torque (287 ft.-lbs.) than horsepower (239hp).  Both trims are equipped with a standard 4.6-liter, V8 engine. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

2009 Cabin Space

The Town Car interior is plush and luxurious but it hasn't changed since the 2003 model year when it was redesigned with a new dashboard and instrument panel. The instrument panel is elegant, and there's plenty of burl walnut veneer all around the interior, plus brushed satin metal panels, and a winged analog clock at the top center of the dash. The Town Car has six seats, including a 40/20/40-split front bench seat. There is plenty of leather inside the Town Car.  The extended-length Signature L has heated rear seats, a folding rear armrest, remote audio and climate controls, and rear-located seat-position controls for the outboard front passenger seat. The recently added analog tachometer is a long-delayed, much appreciated addition, providing visual reinforcement of the 4.6-liter V8's hot-rod intake tenor.  The doors on the Town Car open wide to make it easy to get out of the front and rear seats.  The interior is very quiet, with thick insulation in the floor, firewall and pillars. The audio system offers CD and cassette players for buyers who enjoy books on tape.  The trunk lid opening is wide and low to make loading and unloading easier. Inside the trunk, the spare tire is stowed vertically behind the right rear tire, so you don't have to unload the trunk to get at it. A covered and removable storage tray fills the deepest part of the trunk well. When in position, the tray's cover raises the trunk floor and thus makes loading and unloading easier.

Town Car Design

The Town Car's has a very overall formal and sophisticated appearance.  In the front it gets a chrome vertical-bar grille that's flanked by quad-beam halogen headlights. A stand-up ornament is mounted at the front of the hood. High-intensity-discharge headlights are optional.  The Town Car rides on standard 17-inch wheels.  Two exterior options include two-tone paint and a power glass moonroof.  The suspension system, which includes automatic load leveling in the rear, keeps the car relatively flat in the corners and provides a smooth, quiet highway ride and substantial amounts of understeer, just the right thing for a big, long, heavy car.   Machined-aluminum wheels highlight the Town Car at every trim level. Signature Limited and long-wheelbase Signature L get a 10-spoke design.

Driving the Lincoln Town Car

Fire up the Town Car and the dual exhausts burble.  Acceleration with the Town Car is never less than smooth and momentum never disappoints.  The Town Car is not exactly nimble, but considering its weight it does well.   The rack and pinion steering is over-boosted, but accurate. Rear wheel-drive balance offers confidence; while the Watt's-link axle, monotube shocks and hydroformed chassis keep it flat enough for drivers to enjoy the ride. The Town Car's prodigious disc brakes provide surprisingly competent stopping power.

Town Car Features

Signature L gets folding front and rear arm rests with storage; a rear seat amenities package with dual power points, four-way rear head restraints, tissue bin, illuminated cigar lighter, heated rear seats and remote controls for audio, climate and front passenger seat. A heavy-duty front stabilizer bar helps compensate for its six-inch longer wheelbase.  Signature Limited comes with Soundmark audiophile dual-media sound system; leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel with wood inserts and audio, speed and climate controls; full power trunk with key fob open and close; and memory driver's seat, pedals and mirrors.

Summary

Years ago Lincoln promised increase power, an upgraded transmission and yaw-control technology, but one of that has been seen yet.  The Lincoln Town Car is perfect for anyone looking to drive a traditional American luxury sedan.  And many who drive a Town Car stick to the model with great commitment. For another view of the Town Car, check out Motortrend's review. Safety features include traction control, front airbags, side-impact airbags, security system and four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes.  For more details on specifications and pricing, click here.