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Lincoln could have gone this route with the MKS, as it shares its lacy underthings with the Volvo S80, among others. That model is available with a wonderful Yamaha-sourced V-8 that spools out 311 hp, and does so with smoothness, good sounds, and competitive fuel economy. Instead, Ford went another direction for the top-drawer MKS, that being its new EcoBoost engine philosophy; in this application, a twin-turbocharged, direct-injected 3.5L V-6 the company believes will produce equal or better performance than a comparable V-8, with improved fuel economy and emissions, too. But it's fair to ask if that's the right call.

People pop for the V-8 versions of luxury cars for reasons other than the simple need to move the machine; nearly everyone's six has more than adequate power for that. Carmakers usually offer the best options and highest equipment levels only on the V-8 model. V-8s (generally) have more torque than the smaller sixes. They usually sound richer and silkier. And there's just the notion of "more is better" which, like it or not, drives a lot of purchases. Otherwise, there wouldn't be V-10s and 12s.

Please be clear: I have no agenda or preconceived notion here. I have not driven a production EcoBoosted MKS, so I don't know how it will perform in comparison with those lusty V-8s offered by BMW, Infiniti, and the others. We don't know what the powertrain's final EPA numbers are yet, either. One Ford powertrain engineer opined to me that EcoBoost will likely deliver one to perhaps two miles per gallon more than a comparable V-8 on the EPA combined cycle. Is that enough to sway car buyers, who are spending $50,000-$60,000 or more on a midsize to upper-midsize luxury sedan and like the feel and performance of a big, torquey, burbling V-8? Me not sure.

One thing is for certain: the new engine's got numbers. It'll be rated at approximately 340 hp in the Lincoln, and inside comments indicate it has a super-wide, flat torque curve. It'll be going places, too: We know it will appear in the Ford Flex crossover, which seems like an ideal pairing, and it would please us a bunch if it becomes the foundation of a reborn Taurus SHO.

This engine technology isn't cheap to develop, although it sets up Ford to handle emissions and fuel-economy issues going forward. But it's also complicated: two turbos, and all of the plumbing and electronics necessary to manage them. The most elegant engineering solution is so often the least complicated one, not the most. It all comes under the category of wait and see. We'll let you know more when we've driven an EcoBoost-powered MKS or Flex, and at that point, some of these questions will be answered.

In the meantime, what do you think? Is this the right direction for Ford to be taking and be really ahead of the curve in a changed world? Or will luxury buyers say "why should I pay more for that?" and choose one of the current, V-8-powered players?