Lincoln LS I (DEW98) gallery (1999–2006)

The Lincoln LS was manufactured from 1999 to 2006 at the Wixom Assembly Plant in Michigan as Lincoln's premier sports sedan. Engineered on the premium rear-wheel-drive Ford DEW98 platform co-developed with Jaguar, the LS featured near 50:50 weight distribution and aluminum-intensive double-wishbone suspension shared with the Jaguar S-Type and eleventh-generation Ford Thunderbird. Powertrain choices consisted of a 3.0-liter Duratec 30 DOHC V6 generating 210 to 232 horsepower and an all-aluminum 3.9-liter DOHC V8 derived from the Jaguar AJ26/AJ27 architecture, developing 252 to 280 horsepower. Early V6 sport trims offered a rare five-speed Getrag 221 manual transmission, while standard models featured the 5R55N five-speed automatic, later replaced by the updated 5R55S transmission with SelectShift manual mode. For the 2003 model year, Lincoln executed a major mechanical and cosmetic overhaul comprising over 500 revised parts: variable cam timing increased output to 232 hp for the V6 and 280 hp for the V8, the exterior received restyled front fascias and taillamps, and the cabin gained touch-screen DVD navigation and an electronic parking brake. The LS targeted BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class buyers across North America and select international export markets before yielding to the Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ.