New Lincoln MKX Crossover to Offer THX II Certified Audio System

New Lincoln MKX Crossover to Offer THX II Certified Audio System

* New Lincoln MKX crossover and the Lincoln Zephyr feature second generation THX Certified audio

* THX II Certified Car Audio Systems produce sound quality comparable to a home theater

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Fourteen speakers, 600 watts of amplification and three optimized seating position modes are a few of the features offered in the second generation THX Certified(R) Car Audio System (THX II) available in the all-new 2007 Lincoln MKX crossover, as announced today by the Ford Motor Company and THX Ltd. The Lincoln MKX will be unveiled at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit next Monday.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060105/NYTH115 )

The THX II Certified Car Audio System, currently available in the Lincoln Zephyr sedan, produces sound quality comparable to a THX Certified Home Theater. This premium audio experience has led over half of Zephyr orders to include the system. A THX-equipped Zephyr will be on display at THX's booth (South Hall 1 Booth #20418) at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show.

In 2005, the Consumer Electronics Association found that consumers spent $2.72 billion a year on home and car audio combined, proving that high quality sound continues to grow in importance for consumers.

"The 2007 Lincoln MKX delivers premium audio that surrounds people with the sound quality of a home theater while on the move," said Tom Brewer, general marketing manager, Lincoln Mercury. "The uniqueness of the THX II Certified Car Audio System is just the type of amenity Lincoln customers deserve."

With the Lincoln MKX and 2006 Zephyr, Lincoln continues to create a new line of vehicles that appeal to younger luxury vehicle buyers. The Lincoln MKX crossover features innovative technology that will appeal to drivers seeking a superior driving experience. Leveraging this new design and THX's 20+ years of cinema sound expertise, the THX engineering team optimized the acoustic performance of the cabin, and strategically positioned the speakers to surround occupants with crisp, clean sound.

The THX II Certified Car Audio System features the THX Configurable Speaker Array(TM) (CSA), which combines powerful speaker, amplifier and digital signal processing (DSP) technology to distribute sound throughout the vehicle. Working together, Ford and THX engineers developed an audio experience that puts the driver and passengers in the middle of their favorite musical performances with less vehicle noise.

The THX II Certified audio system in the 2007 Lincoln MKX offers the
following:
* 14 speakers
* 600 watts of amplification
* 12 channels of digital signal processing power providing:
* Individual speaker EQ
* Three optimized seating position modes (Driver, Front Seat, All Seats)
* THX-patented Configurable Speaker Array (CSA) processing
* Surround processing of stereo CDs

"The THX Certified Car Audio System was designed for luxury car buyers who have grown to appreciate and demand the best-in-class digital audio technology," said Laurie Fincham, chief science officer at THX. "Through advanced THX technologies and an acoustically engineered cabin, Lincoln owners will experience music like never before."

This is the second vehicle offered by Lincoln to feature the THX II Certified Car Audio System after the Lincoln Zephyr. The Lincoln Navigator, Town Car and LS offer first generation THX Certified audio.

ABOUT LINCOLN

Lincoln Mercury is a division of the Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., that manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With nearly 325,000 employees and 110 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit http://www.fordvehicles.com/.

ABOUT THX LTD.

THX Ltd. is dedicated to developing new ways to make the creation, delivery and presentation of digital content more efficient, more powerful and more enjoyable. Today, the world's premier commercial cinemas, post-production studios, car audio systems and home entertainment products incorporate THX technologies and have achieved the coveted THX Certified status. For more information, visit http://www.thx.com/.

THX is a trademark of THX Ltd., which may be registered in some jurisdictions. All rights reserved.

Go to http://media.ford.com/ for news releases and high-resolution photographs.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060105/NYTH115
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN9
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Ford Motor Company

CONTACT: Nick Twork of Ford Motor Company, +1-313-598-0481,
ntwork1@ford.com, or Graham McKenna for THX, +1-408-293-8600, ext. 335,
gmckenna@pacifico.com, or Tara Naughton for Ford Motor Company,
+1-212-798-9831, Tara_naughton@nyc.cohnwolfe.com

Web site: http://www.fordvehicles.com/
http://www.thx.com/

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