What’s New?
The Mark LT cruises into 2007 with more than a dozen changes, including: a new grille and headlamp design; a new chrome surround on the rear taillamps; a monochromatic appearance package with a body-color grille surround; new bumper, mirror caps, and chrome step bars; available 20-inch chrome aluminum wheels; and three new exterior colors. Inside, look for an available DVD-based navigation/radio system, a standard auto-dimming driver-side rearview mirror, an Elite package, an available 6.5-foot cargo bed, available power-folding heated exterior mirrors with chrome caps, a chrome Lincoln star on seatbacks and the flow-through storage console lid, Ebony wood trim on the steering wheel, and a new door handle bezel and lower appliqué with Ebony wood accent.

Overview
Now that the truck wars have heated up with the introduction of new models from Chevrolet, Cadillac and GMC, as well as Toyota (Tundra), the pressure is on the Mark LT luxury pickup to hold its own. The only direct competitor to the Mark LT is the Cadillac Escalade EXT. The Mark LT has outsold its competitor from Cadillac for two consecutive years, but the redesigned 2007 Escalade EXT promises to make things interesting.

The Mark LT for 2007 has upped the luxury appointments, as well as added a useable bed for more practical applications; a 6.5-foot long bed is now available, versus the 5.5-foot short box that comes standard. The long-bed version adds about 12 inches of extra length to the wheelbase, and the same amount to the overall length (with 10 cubic feet of cargo capacity added overall), making it easier to carry longer bikes or ATVs. Power remains the same, with Ford’s 5.4-liter Triton V-8 engine providing the motive force of 300 hp and 365 lb.-ft. of torque. The Triton is matched to a 4-speed automatic transmission. The Mark LT’s frame is hydroformed and boxed for strength, and the coil-over-shock double wishbone front suspension and Hotchkiss-designed rear suspension provide good ride quality whether the truck bed is full or empty.

With the Mark LT being a luxury truck, buyers receive a rich list of standard features such as remote keyless entry, electronic shift-on-the-fly controls for 4x4 models, power windows, and traction assist on 4x2 models. For those who want more, the Super Crew trim level delivers more interior room, but is coupled to the shorter box (the long box is optional). The Super Crew also comes with quad-beam halogen headlamps; 18-inch, 7-spoke machined aluminum wheels; an up-level Audiophile sound system; and a two-tone, leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt function and Ebony wood trim with redundant audio and climate controls.

The Competition
The Lincoln Mark LT competes in the Large Premium Pickup segment, which consists of just two models. Buyers in this segment look for quality, comfort, and exterior styling, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Avoider Study^SM and the Escaped Shopper Study.^SM

The top sellers in the segment during calendar year 2006, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,^SM were the Lincoln Mark LT (12,753 units sold) and Cadillac Escalade EXT (7,019). The Lincoln Mark LT’s 12,753 sales in 2006 represent an increase of 24.1 percent compared to the previous year.