The Town Car. The iconic Lincoln. It has been the go to vehicle for limousines and high end rental cars for many years. 2011 will be the final hurrah for this long in the tooth sedan. It remains the only car in its class that still uses the dated body on a frame design. It even sports a truck like solid rear axle.
Power and handling are both subpar compared with modern cars, though this doesn't seem to upset its very loyal customer base. The power it does make comes from a 4.6 liter, V-8 making 239 Hp and 287 Ft. – Lbs. of torque routing power to the rear wheels through a four speed automatic transmission. This combined with its rather prodigious fuel consumption, at 19 MPG combined economy continues to explain why this classic icon's time has come.
Appealing to its older, somewhat technophobic customer base, you won't find much in the way of modern options.
Not all is bad though, the Town Car is very roomy and a long wheelbase model can stretch this another 6 inches, mostly used as rear leg room.
The Range
Bodystyles: Sedan
Engines: 4.6L V-8
Transmissions: 4-speed automatic
Models: Signature Limited, Signature L
What's New
Like its Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis platform-mates, the Town Car hasn't received a major update in years and that trend continues into the big luxury sedan's final year on the market.
Exterior
Unchanged for years -- front and rear end treatments are now two design languages old -- the Town Car's exterior has stately, albeit aging, feel. Town Car L models are characterized by longer rear doors.
Interior
The Town Car's interior seats six thanks to a front bench seat. Long-wheelbase versions come with extra amenities for rear-seat passengers and 5.8-inches more rear legroom. Trunk space is a cavernous 21.0 cubic-feet.
Performance & Handling
The Town Car's version of Ford's 4.6-liter V-8 makes 239 horsepower and 287 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, the engine isn't going to move the big sedan with any urgency, but it returns acceptable fuel economy. Gearing is optimized for freeway cruising, as is the suspension setup.
Safety
The Town Car has received five-star crash safety ratings from the NHTSA since 2003 and comes standard with seatbelt pretensioners and the requisite dual front plus dual front side-impact airbags.
EPA Fuel Economy
16 mpg city/24 mpg highway
You'll Like
- Huge trunk
- Plentiful rear seat room
You Won't Like
Sum Up
So long, old friend
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