Which Lincoln LS Version Should You Buy?
The Lincoln LS is a RWD Sedan offered from 1999 through 2006 in one generation, including a 2003–2006 restyling. Choosing among its versions comes down to three main priorities: transmission, engine output, and vehicle weight. The strongest option is the restyled 3.9 AT with 280 hp and 388 Nm, while the lightest documented choice is the 1999–2002 3.0 MT with 1,665 kg kerb weight.
The Lincoln LS is a RWD Sedan offered from 1999 through 2006 in one generation, including a 2003–2006 restyling. Choosing among its versions comes down to three main priorities: transmission, engine output, and vehicle weight. The strongest option is the restyled 3.9 AT with 280 hp and 388 Nm, while the lightest documented choice is the 1999–2002 3.0 MT with 1,665 kg kerb weight. Buyers who want a manual gearbox must look at the pre-restyling 3.0 MT versions; every restyled version uses a 5-speed Automatic.
Lincoln LS generations and version differences
The 1999–2002 Lincoln LS Sedan has five listed versions. Its 3.0 MT and 3.0 AT models were offered with either 210 hp and 278 Nm or 220 hp and 292 Nm. The range also includes a 3.9 AT producing 252 hp and 362 Nm. The 3.0 MT uses a 5-speed Manual, the 3.0 AT uses a 5-speed Automatic, and the earlier 3.9 AT is paired with a 4-speed Automatic. Every version is RWD.
The 2003–2006 restyling reduces the range to two versions, both with a 5-speed Automatic and RWD. The 3.0 AT develops 232 hp and 298 Nm, while the 3.9 AT produces 280 hp and 388 Nm. Compared with the strongest 1999–2002 equivalents, the restyled 3.0 AT gains 12 hp and 6 Nm, and the restyled 3.9 AT gains 28 hp and 26 Nm. The latter also moves from a 4-speed to a 5-speed Automatic.
Lincoln LS engine options and specs
All listed Lincoln LS engines are Gasoline units with distributed multi-point injection and no boost. The 2,967 cc versions have 6 cylinders in a V-shaped layout, while the 3,934 cc versions have 8 cylinders in a V-shaped layout. Each listed engine has 4 valves per cylinder.
| Period | Version | Output | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2002 | 3.0 MT, 210 hp | 210 hp at 6,500 rpm | 278 Nm at 4,750 rpm | 2,967 cc | 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1999–2002 | 3.0 MT, 220 hp | 220 hp at 6,400 rpm | 292 Nm at 4,800 rpm | 2,967 cc | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | RWD |
| 1999–2002 | 3.0 AT, 220 hp | 220 hp at 6,400 rpm | 292 Nm at 4,800 rpm | 2,967 cc | 95 | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1999–2002 | 3.9 AT, 252 hp | 252 hp at 6,100 rpm | 362 Nm at 4,300 rpm | 3,934 cc | not measured | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 1999–2002 | 3.0 AT, 210 hp | 210 hp at 6,500 rpm | 278 Nm at 4,750 rpm | 2,967 cc | 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2003–2006 | 3.0 AT, 232 hp | 232 hp at 6,750 rpm | 298 Nm at 4,500 rpm | 2,967 cc | 92 | 6, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
| 2003–2006 | 3.9 AT, 280 hp | 280 hp at 6,000 rpm | 388 Nm at 4,000 rpm | 3,934 cc | 95 | 8, V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | RWD |
The 1999–2002 3.0 engines provide approximately 70.8 hp per litre in 210 hp form and 74.1 hp per litre in 220 hp form. The restyled 3.0 AT raises that figure to approximately 78.2 hp per litre. The 3.9 AT progresses from approximately 64.1 hp per litre before restyling to approximately 71.2 hp per litre afterward.
The strongest torque increase within the range occurs between the restyled 3.0 AT and 3.9 AT: the larger engine adds 90 Nm and 48 hp. It reaches its torque peak at 4,000 rpm rather than 4,500 rpm, while its power peak arrives at 6,000 rpm instead of 6,750 rpm.
Lincoln LS performance, top speed, and mpg
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is not measured for every Lincoln LS version in the supplied specifications. City fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption, and combined fuel consumption are also not measured for every version. Consequently, the available data does not support an mpg comparison between the engines.
Top-speed figures distinguish some versions:
| Period | Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2002 | 3.0 MT, 210 hp | not measured | 190 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1999–2002 | 3.0 MT, 220 hp | not measured | 190 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1999–2002 | 3.0 AT, 220 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1999–2002 | 3.9 AT, 252 hp | not measured | 220 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1999–2002 | 3.0 AT, 210 hp | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2003–2006 | 3.0 AT, 232 hp | not measured | 210 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 2003–2006 | 3.9 AT, 280 hp | not measured | 230 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
The restyled 3.9 AT has the highest measured maximum speed at 230 km/h. That is 20 km/h above the restyled 3.0 AT and 10 km/h above the earlier 3.9 AT. Both manual 3.0 MT specifications have the same measured maximum speed of 190 km/h despite their 10 hp difference.
Lincoln LS dimensions, weight, and practical specs
Exterior length, width, and other body dimensions are not measured in the supplied data for any version. Wheel sizes and gross weight are also not measured throughout the range. Every version has 150 mm of ground clearance and a 68-litre fuel tank.
Kerb weight is measured for four versions:
| Period | Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999–2002 | 3.0 MT, 210 hp | 1,665 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 68 litres | not measured |
| 1999–2002 | 3.0 MT, 220 hp | 1,665 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 68 litres | not measured |
| 1999–2002 | 3.0 AT, 220 hp | not measured | not measured | 150 mm | 68 litres | not measured |
| 1999–2002 | 3.9 AT, 252 hp | not measured | not measured | 150 mm | 68 litres | not measured |
| 1999–2002 | 3.0 AT, 210 hp | not measured | not measured | 150 mm | 68 litres | not measured |
| 2003–2006 | 3.0 AT, 232 hp | 1,670 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 68 litres | not measured |
| 2003–2006 | 3.9 AT, 280 hp | 1,710 kg | not measured | 150 mm | 68 litres | not measured |
Among versions with measured kerb weight, the 210 hp 3.0 MT carries approximately 7.93 kg per horsepower, while the 220 hp 3.0 MT improves that ratio to approximately 7.57 kg per horsepower without a weight increase. The restyled 3.0 AT has approximately 7.20 kg per horsepower. The restyled 3.9 AT weighs 40 kg more than the restyled 3.0 AT but has approximately 6.11 kg per horsepower, the best documented ratio in the range.
Weight distribution is not measured for any listed version. The data therefore supports comparisons of total kerb weight only, not front-to-rear balance.
Lincoln LS reliability and problems
Reliability ratings, failure records, repair costs, and documented problems are not measured in the supplied data. The specifications cannot establish whether the 3.0 or 3.9 engine is more reliable, nor can they support claims about engine swaps, replacement-engine availability, or maintenance difficulty. A purchase decision based on reliability requires evidence beyond this catalogue dataset.
The available mechanical specifications do show that both generations use independent spring suspension at the front and rear. Braking specifications vary: the 1999–2002 versions list ventilated front discs and rear discs; the restyled 3.0 AT lists front discs and ventilated rear discs; and the restyled 3.9 AT lists front and rear discs.
Which Lincoln LS version should you buy?
Choose the 1999–2002 3.0 MT with 220 hp if a Manual gearbox is essential. It has 10 hp and 14 Nm more than the 210 hp 3.0 MT, yet both have the same measured 1,665 kg kerb weight and 190 km/h top speed. The stronger version therefore offers the better documented power-to-weight ratio, although it specifies fuel 95 rather than 92.
Choose the 2003–2006 3.0 AT if you want the middle ground among the documented Automatic versions. Its 232 hp and 298 Nm exceed the strongest earlier 3.0 specification by 12 hp and 6 Nm. At 1,670 kg, it is only 5 kg heavier than the measured manual cars, and it has a 210 km/h top speed.
Choose the 2003–2006 3.9 AT when maximum output is the priority. It supplies 280 hp, 388 Nm, and a measured 230 km/h top speed. Against the restyled 3.0 AT, its extra 967 cc and 40 kg provide 48 additional horsepower, 90 additional newton-metres, and 20 km/h more measured top speed. Against the earlier 3.9 AT, it adds 28 hp and 26 Nm while gaining a 5-speed Automatic in place of the 4-speed Automatic.
There is no price data, so the extra purchase cost of any version is not measured and value for money cannot be calculated. On specifications alone, the 220 hp 3.0 MT is the most compelling manual choice, the restyled 3.0 AT is the balanced automatic choice, and the restyled 3.9 AT is the clear performance choice.