Lincoln LS

Lincoln LS
2000-2002 Lincoln LS
Overview
Manufacturer	Lincoln (Ford)
Production	1999–2006
Model years	2000–2006
Assembly	Wixom Assembly Plant, Wixom, Michigan, United States
Designer	Helmuth Schrader (1995)
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size luxury car
Body style	4-door luxury sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Ford DEW98 platform
Related	Ford Thunderbird Jaguar S-Type
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 L Jaguar AJ V6 (gasoline) 3.9 L Jaguar AJ V8 (gasoline)
Transmission	2000–2002 Getrag 221 5-speed manual 2000–2002 Ford 5R55N 5-speed automatic 2003–2006 Ford 5R55S 5-speed automatic w/ SelectShift
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114.5 in (2908 mm)
Length	2000–2005: 193.9 in (4,925 mm) 2006: 194.3 in (4,935 mm)
Width	73.2 in (1,859 mm)
Height	2000–2002: 57.2 in (1,453 mm) 2003–2006: 56.1 in (1,425 mm)
Curb weight	3692 lb (1675 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Lincoln Continental (mid-size)
Successor	Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ (2006–present)

The Lincoln LS is a mid-size, rear-wheel drive executive sedan manufactured by Ford and marketed under its Lincoln brand in a single generation (1999-2006).

The LS shared the Ford DEW98 platform with the Jaguar S-Type and Ford Thunderbird and was originally to be marketed in two versions, LS6 and LS8, reflecting the engine size. Those nameplates were replaced with "LS V6" and "LS V8" after Toyota's Lexus division became concerned about the potential name confusion with its Lexus LS.

The LS was introduced in June 1999 as a 2000 model-year vehicle with either a V6 engine, offered with a manual transmission or a V8 engine, both featuring rear-wheel drive and near 50/50 weight distribution.

Trim levels ranged from the base V6 model to the Special Edition V8 LSE trims in 2004, which featured revised front and rear fascia, taillights and foglights, and front grille.

LS models were manufactured at Ford's Wixom Assembly Plant until production ended on April 3, 2006 and the plant was idled as part of Ford's The Way Forward. Approximately 262,900 LS models were manufactured, including 2331 manual transmission V6 models, and 1500 LSE editions.

In 1999, the LS debuted as Lincoln's first rear-wheel drive sport luxury sedan for the 2000 model year, under influence from the newly established Premier Automotive Group. In designing the LS to be competitive in its segment (which was also shared with its domestic rival, the Cadillac Catera, which debuted in 1997), Helmuth Schrader, the LS' German-born chief designer, said of the car, "In a segment defined and dominated by BMW and Mercedes, the car had to have a functional, no-nonsense look. This redefines the Lincoln brand, but we still had to make sure it was recognizable as a member of the same family as the Town Car, Continental, Mark VIII, and the Navigator." Heeding this insight, the LS featured an understated, well-proportioned exterior design with squared rectangular fog lights. The body was tightly sculpted with short front and rear overhangs to emphasize an athletic appearance while well-rounded wheel housings were intentionally made small to suggest that the car's wheels were larger than their actual size. The greenhouse of the LS offered spacious headroom and was accentuated by a smoothly arched roofline. Completing the exterior were chrome accents on the front and rear fascias and a waterfall grille.