Lincoln MKT debuts with a big toothy smile

Ford has a major-league hit on its hands with the 2009 Flex crossover – with the media. Sadly, despite its varied and considerable charms, as it is with the rest of the Ford family for 2009, is the availability of the 3.5-liter EcoBoostV6 engine. Packing 355 horsepower (@ 5700 rpm) and 350 pound-feet of torque (@ 3500 rpm), look for the MKT to get out of its own way with genuine verve. The direct-injected, twin-turbo engine is paired exclusively with all-wheel drive and a six-speed paddleshift automatic that executes – wait for – rev-matched downshifts. In a Lincoln. Crossover. Yes, we're rather eager to see how this plays out, too.