It was just a typical, crowded, hot morning rush hour on Pittsburgh's Parkway east, when I saw it.

Surrounded by a sea of anonymous cars, a vision in blood red stood out. Graceful, elegant, sophisticated, it looked so beautiful it was almost as if it were moving in slow motion.

	The 2007 Lincoln MKX. Click photo for larger image.

It was the all-new 2007 Lincoln MKX, a winner hands down in terms of styling, ambiance, and just about everything else if sales are any guide. And it's arguably the most important product introduced for Lincoln-Mercury in years and a guide for what Lincolns will be in the future.

The company's all-new crossover is aimed at serving the luxury end of what is the fastest growing segment in the automotive industry. And fortunately for Lincoln, it comes armed to the teeth: an unusual panoramic two-paneled vista roof and a 3.5 liter V-6 with a six-speed automatic transmission. It also has plenty of safety features, including a full complement of air bags with the all-important side curtain head air bags and a roll stability control system.

But frankly, I don't think safety equipment will be on the minds of people who see this car.

What they will be thinking about is just how gorgeous it is. It has all the hallmarks of the quiet, understated, yet head-turning design school that has penned the best of Lincoln's styling traits over the years.

It makes wise, careful use of chrome trim, including beautiful wheels and a distinctive, Lincoln style grille. Around the back there are wall to wall taillights that also have been a Lincoln trademark for sometime.

Inside, you'll find a modern iteration of the signature two-cove Lincoln instrument panel, with three aluminum trimmed squared off gauges. Satin nickel accents are elsewhere in the interior.

The MKX, which carries five passengers, is equipped with heated and cooled front sets, heated rear seats, a navigation system and a host of other goodies to keep passengers well-cared for.

It also comes with all-wheel drive, independent suspension, anti-lock brakes and other items that will make it fully competitive with other crossovers in the market.

The MKX base price range is $34,480 to $36,015 and comes in front-wheel and four-wheel drive versions. Power comes from a 3.5 liter, 265 horsepower V-6 which gets an estimated 18/24 miles per gallon.

Things are going swimmingly on the Mercury side of the equation, too.

Mercury's intermediate sized Milan is quite a bit classier than the already nice Ford Fusion with which it shares its basic design. Milan classes things up with a more sophisticated-looking grille, better trim and an overall more expensive look with different trims and interior materials than you'll find on the Fusion.

It's aimed primarily at the hip urban crowd and is said to be particularly popular with women. That might be due in part to its marketing campaign.

Power for the Milan comes from either a 221 horsepower, 3.0 liter V-6, which is rated at 20 miles per gallon in the city and 26 on the highway, or a 160 horsepower four-cylinder engine, which is rated at 23/31.

Base prices range from $19,445 to $23,995. Fuel mileage is 24/32 with the 2.3 liter engine and 21/29 with the 3.0 liter engine.

What's Coming in 2008

Mercury's Montego is being replaced by a familiar car: the Sable.

Well ... maybe that's not quite totally true. The Montego's body remains, but many modifications and styling changes have been made to transform it into the Sable. It has a more powerful 260 horsepower, 3.5 liter V-6 and a six speed transmission, and those who wish can also get all-wheel drive and electronic stability control.