Ford OKs Shelby GT, Lincoln MKS

Ford Motor Co. confirms production of the Lincoln MKS fullsize sedan and a consumer-derivative of the Shelby Mustang GT-H, the so-called “Rent-a-Racer” offered by Hertz Corp.

The MKS, scheduled to debut in first-half 2008, is based on the concept car of the same name unveiled at this year's North American International Auto Show.

The new vehicle will fill a much-needed niche in the Lincoln lineup, as the long-in-the-tooth Lincoln Town Car will be dropped, leaving the Lincoln marque briefly without a fullsize sedan.

The MKS will be built at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant. Ford won't reveal whether it will get the 4.4L V-8 originally shown in the concept. Ford declines to estimate yearly output, but reportedly it will be about 50,000 units annually.

Ford says the MKS will borrow the cap-less refueling system from the Ford GT supercar. The system is better for the environment and will make its way across Ford's lineup.

The Shelby GT-H closely follows the recently released 500-hp Shelby GT500 and is the second Mustang to bow this year created with the guidance of racer and industry icon Carroll Shelby.

The consumer version of the GT-H will be called the Ford Shelby GT.