The 2005 Lincoln line, out of the Lincoln-Mercury Division of Ford Motor Co., consists of four vehicles skewed toward luxury mode.

Lincoln's products include the elegant full-size flagship Town Car sedan and LS series of sport-tuned performance sedans, plus two plush sport-utility wagons with the full-size Navigator and mid-size Aviator.

Lincoln's sporty touring sedan takes the label of LS, as in Luxury Sport. With mid-size dimensions and four doors fixed on a cabin for five riders, the tight machine rides on a rigid unibody structure and features liberal applications of lightweight aluminum for body panels and suspension elements. Editions of 2005 earn face-lift features with fresh fascia and the grille ringed in chrome plus revised headlamp clusters. Inside, a tailored passenger compartment exhibits an international flair in leather-lined layout with two bucket seats up front and a rear bench with twin sculptured spaces and foldable seatback with a 60/40 split.

Engines for LS contain either six or eight cylinders. The entry model has a 3.0-liter V6 good for 232 hp, but a 3.9-liter aluminum V8 hits 280 hp. Either plant connects to a five-speed electronic automatic transmission, with H-gate SelectShift controls added to the V8 version. The LS appears in three trims for the V6 -- Luxury, Appearance Package and Premium, with the V8 ordered in Sport, Ultimate and Appearance Package. Options extend to a Soundmark CDX6 audio system with DVD-based navigation kit, high intensity discharge (HID) headlights and a curtain-style air bag system.

Lincoln switches trim designations on 2005 issues of the full-size flagship sedans. Entry model is called Signature, with the upgrade labeled Signature Limited and a stretched version cast as Signature L. A six-inch extension to the wheelbase creates the long-wheelbase Town Car with wider rear doors and more backseat legroom plus heated rear seats. All Town Cars provide ample power through a big engine tuned with low-torque output so a driver feels the juice flowing through all four forward gears. The single-cam 4.6-liter V8 produces 239 hp and ties to a smooth automatic transmission. All versions of the Town Car in 2005 roll on standard 17-inch aluminum wheels and top Signature Limited flashes nine-spoke designs finished in bright chrome. New body paints go to the series with such shades as Light Ice Blue Clearcoat Metallic and Norsea Blue Clearcoat Metallic. (CONTINUED...)