Recently, something pretty major quietly occurred in the automotive marketplace.  Lincoln, touting it’s newest addition to the luxury lineup, the MKZ Hybrid, slapped on it a sticker that boasts the same price as the MKZ with a gasoline engine.  Listen closely. That’s the sound of slow and steady mass market adoption.  What was once a pricey option, the gasoline-electric engine now serves as a no-cost upgrade on this luxurious set of wheels.  AND it garners drivers a spiffy 41 miles per gallon in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway.  That’s over 700 miles on a tank of gas.  At roughly $35,000, that’s a decent deal for a ride that’s equally luxe and fuel efficient.  Let’s add to that the fact that the MKZ is easy on the eyes, too.  Naysayers will point to the fact that the MKZ Hybrid is essentially a prettied up version of the Fusion Hybrid, but I’ve got no qualms.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!  Just add a some new badging and creature comforts and call it a day, no?

In my humble opinion, this marks a giant step in the advancement of alternative auto technologies.  If I were strolling a Lincoln dealership, feasting my eyes on a shiny, new MKZ sedan there isn’t one reason I would opt for a gasoline engine.

Related post: The 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid