taillamp trim are chrome; on the LSC, they're body-colored. Even though

the new grille is larger than on the '96 Mark VIII, it's still smaller

than the enormous wraparound headlamp housings. In fact, the lamp housings

are the largest in the industry, and they cast a cool, bluish beam that's

wider and longer than standard lamps.

The neon taillamps are also generously sized. The taillamp system is

actually a single 48-in. wide neon tube, which extends the full width of

the vehicle--running across the top of a trunk-mounted light bar--and wraps

around the rear fenders. The tube, which is hidden by the molding, projects

light downward onto a reflective surface, and then out through a clear

acrylic lens.

According to Lincoln, the neon illuminates 198 milliseconds faster than

standard incandescent bulbs--which means that, at speeds of 60 mph, drivers

following along behind can reduce their stopping distance by an average

of 17.5 feet. The upshot is fewer rear-end collisions.

Integrated into the side mirrors is a security lamp that illuminates

the ground when the door is unlocked using the keyless remote. On the bottom

edge of the mirror housings, a line of red LED lights blink in tandem with

the turn signals. These lights are visible to trailing cars, but are positioned

so as not to distract the driver.

Although the hood, fascias and fenders have been restyled, the shape

of the '97 Mark VIII is not radically different than the '96--except that

its corners are more rounded, and its sleek, elegant lines are more sloping.

And the vestigial decklid wheel hump has been downplayed to the point that

it barely evokes the more prominent bulge of bygone years.