snowracer is half right. If AWD was not ideal for racing, explain to me why it is banned from F1, IRL, NASCAR, ALMS, WTCC, DTM, et al. Why is it that the AWD division cars in time attack, rally, and hillclimb consistently outperform other drivetrains with similar levels of modification? (The only exception is the FX motorsports NSX, which holds the all-time record at Willow Springs for the Redline Time Attack series, but that’s because it is a tuned supercar in a field of tuned “hot hatches”)

After doing some fact finding, I now realize that all these V8 cars were at a disadvantage because of the higher altitude at which they were being tested. The air is thinner so it's harder for the NA V8 to get dense air for power. But a turbo engine is forced air so it will perform better because it's getting better air flow. So this is more like a publicity stunt rather than a competition. It's a sneaky way of trying to prove a point, but I still think the car is great as far as performance and workmanship without all the gimmicky tricks.

sorry, have to go with snowracer on this one. you make a lot of logistical sense without all the emotions.  and you are right, the car rocks.  i test drove one myself and am seriously considering getting the mks this spring.  a year or two ago and i would have laughed in your face if you said i would be driving a lincoln--but times change. sorry, cobra, you you sound like you trying to defend the price tag of your car.

Snowracer - You might want to tell Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, Subaru and Peugeot that AWD is not effectve against RWD  in rally cars and GTP and Lemans racing!!!  Again, the Mercedes E550 4matic (AWD) and Audi would be a better comparison.  Interesting too that ONLY Ford had an "Observer"  there!

As for Cobra, AWD is not ideal for racing as the front wheel have to give up grip to move the wheels. Top Gear and 5th gear go into physics of it if you don't believe me just check Youtube. But to your point they do not put AWD model, but also non of the others come in awd. But here is the kicker for all of you reader. Cobra is defending the Euro models by being very very technical. Meaning this commerical just proved its point, teh new Lincoln is so good that now everybody has to come up with lame ass excussess to why there brand of car is better. So I would say for all of you ripping on the new Lincoln, you pretty much are just validating its powness and prove its actually a competitors