Though its soul still belongs to the older set, major revisions to the Town Car point to a new future for this traditional rear-wheel drive full size sedan.

The good stuff starts on the outside, where a bold new bodystyle adds up to the most handsome Town Car ever.

But, wait, there’s more! There’s also a new, stronger perimeter frame, new rear-end suspension setup, improvements to the steering gear, and a 10-hp bump in power. The 4.6-liter V-8 now puts out 220 hp.

Look for big changes to the Continental, too. The sheet metal gets major revisions, including a shortened front overhang, cleaner grille and headlight treatment and more prominent taillights. The 4.6-liter Intech V-8 gets coil-on-plug ignition and more bottom end grunt, thanks to changes to the valve timing. Semiactive ride control has been deleted from the standard equipment list.

No big changes for the Mark VIII, which was significantly altered for ‘97.

Trucks and SUVs

Who would have believed that Lincoln would create one of the most winning fullsize SUVs on the market? They got a little help from Ford - the Navigator is based on Ford’s Expedition - and came up with a good one. You can pamper seven of your friends in the walnut-and-leather interior or rearrange things a little in order to load 116 cu. ft. of cargo. The only engine choice is a 5.4-liter V-8 that makes 230 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque, but you can have your pick between rear and four-wheel drive.