With rising fuel costs and uncertain economic times looming, even luxury buyers are taking a more conservative approach to shopping. With that in mind, Lincoln will roll out a new luxury sedan this summer that combines some high-end features with a surprisingly moderate pricetag.

The 2009 Lincoln MKS, which will hit showrooms this summer, starts at around $38,000. That price tag is meant to help attract first-time luxury buyers, and Lincoln is unveiling some attractive amenities to help first-timers plunge into the luxury experience.

Outwardly, the car boasts the clean, classic lines you’d expect from a Lincoln. The distinctive double-wing grille was inspired by the 1941 Lincoln Contintental, and that’s the starting point for an elegantly designed body that comes in nine colors, from the sedate, executive-feeling Tuxedo Black Metallic to the much more energized, ready-for-the-nightlife Sangria Red Metallic.

Inside, the cabin is a terrific combination of business class and high-tech innovation. The stylish two-tone interior has such luxury touches as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood trim and leather seats with the heated/cooling features we’ve come to expect. They’ve super-sized the glove box and given some thought to cupholder design - there’s even a fold-down console in the back to give rear-seat passengers access to cupholders of their own.

But beyond the design of the interior, it is the high-tech touches that make this car truly stand out. Lincoln has pumped a lot of life into this car, and it shows with such features as SYNC - a voice-activated in-car systm that lets you access your cell phone and digital media player; Adaptive Cruise Control, which not only sets the car’s speed but automatically adjusts to keep a safe distance between you and the car in front of you; automatic moisture-activated windshield wipers; a rearview camera system and a forward sensing system, which together will pretty much eliminate any parking problem you might run into - except finding an actual parking space.

As a clincher for luxury-minded consumers who are also watching their checkbook, Lincoln has borrowed the powertrain from its MKX, which was named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines for 2007. The aluminim block and lightweight four-valve heads ensure smooth operations, even at high RPMs, and it delivers the power of a V8 with the efficiency of a V6.

Lincoln has already reported a huge response to this sedan, with nearly 9,000 pre-order already placed. Find out more about it here.