<span lang="español">2000 –2002
In 1999, the LS debuted as Lincoln's first rear-wheel drive sport luxury sedan for the 2000 model year, under the influence of the newly established Premier Automotive Group.
Lincoln originally intended to market the sedan in two versions, the LS6 and the LS8, the names reflecting their respective engine layouts. Toyota's Lexus division noted concern about the potential name confusion with its Lexus LS full-size luxury sedan, and Lincoln ended up using only the name "LS".[3] At the same time, Ford threatened a lawsuit regarding the Toyota T150 concept, arguing that the name was too close to that of the F150, so Toyota changed the name of their pickup truck to the Tundra.
In designing the LS to be competitive in its segment, the LS' German-born chief designer, said of the car, "In a segment defined and dominated by BMW and Mercedes, the car had to have a functional, no-nonsense look. This redefines the Lincoln brand, but we still had to make sure it was recognizable as a member of the same family as the Town Car, Continental, Mark VIII, and the Navigator."[4] The LS featured understated exterior and interior styling.
Leather seating surfaces were standard, and the steering wheel could be wood or leather-wrapped, with the interior featuring wood accents. Standard features included power windows, power door locks with keyless entry, power heated mirrors, automatic headlights, air conditioning with automatic climate control, cruise control, and an AM/FM cassette radio. Available options included a six-disc in-dash CD changer (only accessible through the glove box initially; changed on later models), a power moonroof, and a universal garage door opener.
The LS's The DEW98 platform, shared with the Jaguar S-Type, used independent double wishbone (short-long arm; SLA) front and rear suspensions and a 114.5 in wheelbase. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes were standard, and a traction control system, marketed as AdvanceTrac was optional. Numerous suspension components, as well as the hood, decklid, and front fenders, were aluminum. The LS came with standard 16-inch alloy wheels, while 17-inch wheels were available through an optional sport package. The sport package for an extra $1,000 included a stiffer suspension, 17-inch wheels, and manual shift capability for the automatic transmission. The battery of the LS was located in the spare tire well in the car's trunk.
The base LS had an all-aluminum 3.0 L DOHC V6 was a variant of the Jaguar AJ-V6 engine, itself closely related to Ford's Duratec 3.0. Optional was an all-aluminum 3.9 L DOHC V8, a shorter-stroke variant of the Jaguar 4.0 L AJ-26 V8. Both engines required premium-grade gasoline. Ford's 5R55S five-speed automatic transmission with an optional manual shift ability called SelectShift was standard with either engine. In contrast, a Getrag 221 five-speed manual transmission was available for V6-equipped LS models when equipped with an optional sport package. Automatic transmission-equipped cars featured a 3.58:1 rear-axle ratio, while manual transmission-equipped versions had a 3.07:1 rear-axle ratio. Lincoln stopped production of the manual-transmission model LS after 2,331 were manufactured.
The powertrain control module in 2000 through 2002 automatic transmission models with the SelectShift option was initially programmed to prevent launching in first gear; i.e., the car would default to a second gear launch. A first-gear launch was available by depressing the throttle by more than 60%. Second-gear launches were programmed to meet EPA fuel economy regulations. For the 2003 model year, first-gear launches were programmed into the transmission, reflecting revised fuel economy regulations.
In 2002, the LSE (Limited Special Edition) package was introduced in V6 and V8 versions, with a revised fascia including round fog lamp openings and a special metallic grille treatment, with enlarged lower body rocker panels, special wheels, and twin dual-exhaust tailpipes. Also for 2002, V6-equipped LS models gained 10 hp and 10 lbft of torque.
