18th October 2008 12:00 pm

These days, time is becoming the ultimate luxury, as most commuters would agree. Traffic congestion is increasing, commute times are getting longer, and workers are spending more and more time behind the wheel.

Ford Motor Company has been studying this trend carefully as it brings new vehicles to market such as the Lincoln MKS flagship sedan, which offers an unprecedented suite of technologies that help drivers stay connected, informed, entertained, and safe on the road.

“Certainly, people are spending more time in their cars,” said Sheryl Connelly, Ford’s global trends and futuring manager. “And some of that is because of how the nature of work is changing. In the last couple of years, a lot of companies got rid of brick and mortar – people may be working from home, covering more territory, spending more time on the road. The way they’re utilizing their time is changing.”

A study by the Consumer Electronics Association estimates that the typical individual spends about 16.5 hours a week in his vehicle. And the Urban Mobility Study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute indicates that congestion is worsening in all 437 urban areas the report studies.

Ford has seen these changes on the horizon, and it’s prepared. The company realizes that today’s drivers are thinking not only about performance and fuel economy, but also how they can better use that time spent in traffic.

“Customers are increasingly demanding a smart, connected in-car experience,” said Pei-Wen Hsu, Lincoln MKS marketing manager. “They are seeking both entertainment and information options they’re accustomed to in their homes, and they want information that has value for them when they travel.”

Lincoln MKS comes with standard features like SYNC, the award-winning, industry-exclusive, voice-activated hands-free communications and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft. The system fully integrates most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players into the vehicle. And the Voice-Activated Navigation system with SIRIUS® Travel Link™ not only offers users the entertainment of an in-house jukebox, but up-to-the-minute travel information.

“The new Lincoln offers state-of-the-art technology,” Hsu said. “SIRIUS Travel Link, as part of the next generation navigation system, can give commuters an escape plan by providing real-time traffic updates that help drivers avoid the worst traffic congestion.”

The role of cars is changing, Connelly said.

“The idea of driving with the wind in your hair, enjoying the open road, is more elusive,” she said. “We don’t have that many open roads any more; we don’t even have the gas to travel them. We need the time we spend in the car to be more productive. At Ford, we can’t give people more hours in the day, but we can make the time they spend in the car more comfortable, more luxurious.”

Ford engineers took special care to ensure that the Lincoln MKS offers an elegant interior and incomparable ride. The sedan is the first vehicle to offer the THX II Certified 5.1 Sound system that allows customers to play DVD-Audio Discs in true discrete surround sound, as well as listen to CDs, satellite radio and MP3s through a 600-watt, 16-speaker automotive entertainment system.

And since safety is at a premium – particularly on congested roads – the extensive array of safety features on the Lincoln MKS can’t be ignored. Adaptive Cruise Control allows the driver to set the car’s speed and maintain it without using the accelerator, while a radar-bases system monitors the vehicle in front – up to 600 feet – and adjusts the speed to keep it a safe distance behind. Adaptive headlights and Auto High Beams enhance nighttime visibility, and Rain-Sensing Wipers use an advanced optical sensing system to detect how hard rain or snow is falling to set the optimum wiper speed.

“The Lincoln MKS has it all,” said Hsu. “Its exceptional handling gives the driver confidence needed to take on big-city traffic, and its expansive comfort and time-saving technology offer the best of both worlds.”

Other Related Stories That May Be Of Interest:

1. Stuck In Traffic? The Lincoln Mks Makes Time Spent In The Car A Pleasure, Not A Hassle
2. Lincoln Mks Stars In “Rpm,” A New Crime Thriller Microseries On Tnt
3. 2009 Lincoln Mks Now Shipping To Dealerships, Combining Luxury And Value
4. Lincoln MKT production confirmed; all-new three-row luxury crossover to launch in 2009
5. Lincoln Mks First To Offer New Thx Gold Standard