Ford and Lincoln bring exciting lineup to MECOTY test day
Tags:
Ford and Lincoln Showcase at the Middle East Car of The Year Awards
Those of you who have been following our journey would know that YallaMotor is part of the jury panel for the prestigious Middle East Car of The Year awards. This annual event sees respected journalists from across the Middle East come together to rate vehicles and pick the ultimate Car of The Year, making it a fun and exciting event for manufacturers, dealers, and jurors alike.
Ford and Lincoln came up with the winning recipe last year and replicated it this year in hopes of achieving the same results. The formula is simple: gather all the jurors in one location (The Al Habtoor Polo Resort), have product experts on hand to answer questions, and maintain a free drive event where each juror gets 20 to 30 minutes with each vehicle.
Featured Models
This year’s line-up comprised of:
Eager to try something new, we began our day by jumping into Ford’s latest econo-sedan.
Ford Escort
A hit with fleet buyers in Saudi Arabia, the Ford Escort is making quite an impact with rental companies in the country. Good looking and practical, the Escort aims to attract buyers away from the Nissan Sunny and Toyota Corolla. Its strategy is clear: with LED Daytime Running Lights, active grilles for better efficiency, and an 8-inch infotainment screen, it positions itself as a compelling value-for-money option.
While overall fit and finish is similar to the Ford Figo, the two cars do not share the same powertrain. The all-new Escort features a 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine that produces 120 horsepower and 150 Nm of torque. Power is smoothly delivered through a six-speed automatic transmission, ensuring a comfortable drive at all speeds.
Ford Edge
The Ford Edge doesn’t require much of an introduction. It’s a popular sight on the roads of the UAE, with families opting for its comfort, practicality, and technology over rivals such as the Chevrolet Blazer and Honda CR-V. At the MECOTY event, Ford showcased two versions of the Edge: Titanium and ST.
The Titanium version is the luxury option, equipped with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that delivers 250 horsepower and 373 Nm of torque to all four wheels. The Edge ST, Ford’s first dedicated performance SUV, features a larger 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that produces 335 horsepower and 515 Nm of torque. Despite sharing many components, these two models differ significantly in both appearance and driving experience. To watch our video review of the Ford Edge ST, click here.
Ford F-150 Raptor
Driving the Ford F-150 Raptor is always a thrill, and this experience was no exception. Although we had driven the Raptor before, we eagerly took the opportunity to enjoy the adrenaline-filled ride again. The powerful 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 engine is a joy to drive, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission that shifts gears effortlessly.
The latest internal bypass Fox 3.0 SHOX suspension offers increased travel and adapts to terrain in real-time, maximizing handling and comfort while preventing bottoming out at high speeds off-road. It’s a comfortable ride in the city and a true off-roader off the tarmac, making it surprising that other manufacturers haven't developed something directly targeting the Raptor yet.
Ford Ranger
Fresh from driving the Mitsubishi L200 at the Japanese automaker’s MECOTY event last week, we were well-versed in commercial pick-up truck talk. The Ford Ranger left us impressed. Typically, commercial pick-up trucks are associated with manual transmissions, minimal features, and discomfort, but the Ranger breaks this stereotype.
Upon entering the Ranger, it’s clear that this truck is different. It features an automatic transmission, a preference among fleet customers, as it reduces maintenance costs associated with worn-out clutch plates when carrying heavy loads in traffic.
Unlike the L200, the Ranger includes a rear differential lock, which is highly effective for off-road situations. Moreover, it stands as a high-rider, allowing for greater load capacity without bottoming out. We haven’t even touched on the Wildtrak yet!
The Ranger Wildtrak is the lifestyle variant of the Ranger pick-up truck. It features a 3.2-liter turbodiesel engine producing 200 horsepower and 470 Nm of torque, along with a low-range ratio gearbox and an electronic locking rear differential. With an 800mm wading depth and advanced technology, the Ranger Wildtrak continues to impress us, just as it did during our off-road adventures years ago.
Lincoln Nautilus
Introduced last year, the Lincoln Nautilus is based on the more practical Ford Edge, yet offers a significantly more luxurious experience. The Nautilus features the previous Lincoln interior layout, which is set to be upgraded next year to match newer models like the Navigator and Aviator.
With a greater focus on luxury over performance, the Nautilus comes equipped with a 19-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, 22-way power adjustable leather seats, and advanced driver aids through the CoPilot 360 system.
This system combines features such as Blind Spot alert, cross-traffic alert, pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, auto high beams, a lane-keeping system with lane centering, and a rear-view camera. Together, these technologies create a luxurious, stress-free driving experience, allowing drivers to navigate traffic with ease.
Lincoln Aviator
Saving the best for last, the Lincoln Aviator wasn’t part of this year’s MECOTY nomination list, but it made a surprise appearance, and what an incredible surprise it was! Judging from pictures seen online, the Aviator looked good, but seeing it in person confirmed its stunning design.
Mimicking the style of the all-new Navigator, the Aviator exudes luxury and sportiness. Equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, it delivers 400 horsepower and 562 Nm of torque through a 10-speed automatic transmission. With luxurious materials and aeronautical influences, the Aviator packs plenty of technology, making it a well-rounded package.
All in all, we had a fantastic day testing the latest and greatest from Ford and Lincoln, and we wish them all the very best in the upcoming awards.
