Power from Ford's 3.8-liter V6 has gradually been boosted between 1988 and 1994, pushing power for the Lincoln Continental from 140 to 160 horsepower. And while electronic 4-speed automatic and a torque rating of 225 pound-feet help the car keep up with traffic, the Lincoln Continental simply lacks the strong, refined power of rivals such as the Cadillac DeVille and Concours, with their 200 horsepower V8 or even the Chrysler New Yorker and LHS, which provide 214 horsepower from a 3.5-liter V6. The Continental responds slowly to the throttle and sounds rough and coarse when accelerating, especially before the engine is warm.