chetta
01-08-2003, 10:54 AM
By David Runk / Associated Press
DETROIT -- The name that greets moviegoers on screen is coming soon to a car near you.
The 2003 Lincoln LS luxury sedan is being offered with sound certified by THX Ltd. -- the same company whose logo and accompanying chest-rattling teaser are a prelude to many films.
"Not only is it state of the art, it's noticeable," John Fitzpatrick, vice president and general marketing manager for Lincoln and Mercury, said of the sound quality.
At the North American International Auto Show, which opens to the public this weekend, the THX logo adorns a small black sign near the car that details its features.
Fitzpatrick said dealers are excited about the THX option for the 2003 LS, which currently is being rolled out to showrooms. And Lincoln plans to highlight the sound system in print and TV ads.
In a time where DVD players are commonplace in minivans and sport utility vehicles and home theater systems bring booming sounds to family rooms, bringing that level of sound quality to a car shouldn't come as a surprise.
Dino Martino, sales manager at Crest Lincoln Mercury in the suburb of Sterling Heights, said the LS appeals to Lincoln's younger customers and the THX option is a good match. He said there already have been orders for the car with THX.
"The younger buyers -- they appreciate their sound, they appreciate their music," Martino said.
The THX package, which comes with the certified sound system and a DVD navigation system, costs about $2,500-$3,000.
The unit of Ford Motor Co. became the first to offer a production vehicle with sound certified under the THX Ultra Premium Car Audio Program. Lincoln plans to offer the THX option with its Navigator and Aviator sport utility vehicles in future model years.
THX is known for offering sound certification for movie theaters and film production, and also offers it for home audio systems and games. Formerly a division of Lucasfilm Ltd., it was spun off as an independent company last year.
In helping develop the sound system for the Lincoln LS, the car was tested under various driving conditions and computer simulations helped determine how to deliver THX-quality sound in a moving car.
The Lincoln's THX-certified system offers 10 speakers, including one in each door and two subwoofers.
THX's customized equalization helps deliver sound to each seating position, and user-selectable modes can optimize the sound for any number of passengers. It includes a six-disc in-dash compact disc player and AM/FM stereo receiver.
DETROIT -- The name that greets moviegoers on screen is coming soon to a car near you.
The 2003 Lincoln LS luxury sedan is being offered with sound certified by THX Ltd. -- the same company whose logo and accompanying chest-rattling teaser are a prelude to many films.
"Not only is it state of the art, it's noticeable," John Fitzpatrick, vice president and general marketing manager for Lincoln and Mercury, said of the sound quality.
At the North American International Auto Show, which opens to the public this weekend, the THX logo adorns a small black sign near the car that details its features.
Fitzpatrick said dealers are excited about the THX option for the 2003 LS, which currently is being rolled out to showrooms. And Lincoln plans to highlight the sound system in print and TV ads.
In a time where DVD players are commonplace in minivans and sport utility vehicles and home theater systems bring booming sounds to family rooms, bringing that level of sound quality to a car shouldn't come as a surprise.
Dino Martino, sales manager at Crest Lincoln Mercury in the suburb of Sterling Heights, said the LS appeals to Lincoln's younger customers and the THX option is a good match. He said there already have been orders for the car with THX.
"The younger buyers -- they appreciate their sound, they appreciate their music," Martino said.
The THX package, which comes with the certified sound system and a DVD navigation system, costs about $2,500-$3,000.
The unit of Ford Motor Co. became the first to offer a production vehicle with sound certified under the THX Ultra Premium Car Audio Program. Lincoln plans to offer the THX option with its Navigator and Aviator sport utility vehicles in future model years.
THX is known for offering sound certification for movie theaters and film production, and also offers it for home audio systems and games. Formerly a division of Lucasfilm Ltd., it was spun off as an independent company last year.
In helping develop the sound system for the Lincoln LS, the car was tested under various driving conditions and computer simulations helped determine how to deliver THX-quality sound in a moving car.
The Lincoln's THX-certified system offers 10 speakers, including one in each door and two subwoofers.
THX's customized equalization helps deliver sound to each seating position, and user-selectable modes can optimize the sound for any number of passengers. It includes a six-disc in-dash compact disc player and AM/FM stereo receiver.