Think LaDanian Tomlinson in a tuxedo. Luxury cues would obviously abound, including HID/LED headlights, thin, wide LED taillight clusters, etc. The interiors would bear little resemblance with current offerings. The combination of wood and satin finish nickel trim would remain, with optional piano black/nickel trim on sport models, but instrument panels and dashboards would evolve more in line with the Jaguar XF or Audi A6 feel...conservative yet hip, evoking more of a flowing, cockpit feel. 
Lincoln would be aimed at the best brands, including Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes, etc. As with Cadillac, it is expected that pricing against competing vehicles would be likely 10 to 15 percent lower, due to the ability to amortize platform and powertrain costs across several vehicle lineups. I am proposing abandoning the current practice of assigning alphanumeric codes as vehicle names. As with Mercury, Lincoln has a strong heritage, and with this particular lineup I am evoking that heritage with the vehicle names drawing from Lincoln's past. Vehicles would also generally be engineered to allow for easy export to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. To return to the main page, click here.
Intermediate FWD/AWD platform
Vignale: As an entry executive saloon, the Vignale would likely be the non-SUV volume leader for the brand. It would be incorporate elements of the European Mondeo and the current MKZ, with somewhat more "muscular" bodywork in both 2 and 4 door body styles approximately 185 inches in length, consistent with many of its competitors. Instead of the sleek, slim profile of the Mondeo, the Vignale would incorporate the broader, more solid look of the current MKZ and Fusion, 
with a hint of Lexus IS 350 in the overall proportions.
Detailing would be appropriately upscale, with subtle fender vents, LED turn signals incorporated into the mirror housings, and discrete chrome or black chrome accents, depending on the trim level. In keeping with the practice in other competing brands, the basic Vignale would be obviously fully equipped, with wood trim and leatherette standard. Option packages would be offered, in addition to stand alone options, to upgrade the equipment levels of the Vignale. A Luxury package would offer glove soft leather trim, upgraded wood trim including on the steering wheel and shift handle, satin nickel trim throughout, uplevel audio, etc. A Sport package would offer leatherette sport seats with leather as an option, nickel and piano black trim, manumatic shifter paddles, sport-tuned suspension, upsized wheels and tires, black chrome exterior trim, larger exhaust finishers, etc. The 2 door would share sheetmetal with the sedan from the A-pillar forward, but would include a lower roofline and would be slightly shorter in length. The rear backlight would be sleeker, lending to the sporty appearance. Option packages would mimic those offered for the sedan. Powertrain options would include the 3.5L eDI 6cyl rated at 300 hp and the 3.5L ecoBoost 6cyl rated at 340 hp. AWD would be optional, and in addition to the standard 6 speed automatic, a 6 speed manual would be optional on the Vignale with the Sport package, with either engine. Should demand or marketing so determine, a hybrid or diesel powertrain could be offered.
Competitors: TL, IS, A4/5, G35/37, 3-series, C350/CLK, 9-3, BLS, ES, S60
Aviator: This would be an evolution stylistically of the current Edge/MKX, a 5 passenger CUV approximately 187 inches in length, and could likely be the volume model for the brand, depending on market conditions. Design elements would include the split grille, HID/LED headlight clusters, wide LED taillight clusters, mirror signals, wood and nickel interior trim, etc. The Aviator would be offered as one model with a variety of optional trim and equipment packages to address all possible features or expectations for vehicles in this class (leather, SYNC/Nav, DVD, etc.). AWD would be optional with all models, and powertrain choices would include the 3.5L eDI 6cyl rated at 300 hp and the 3.5L ecoBoost 6cyl rated at 340 hp. Should market conditions warrant, a hybrid version could be offered.
Competitors: RX, X5, ML, XC90
Intermediate/Large RWD/AWD platform
Zephyr: This is a mid-size executive saloon aimed at the heart of the luxury market...BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Class, Audi A6. Specifically, the Zephyr would be based on the G-Series Australian Falcon and would be approximately 192 inches in length. 
As with the Vignale, styling would evolve from the smooth, kinetic flair of the European Mondeo to the crisper, more solid look of the Bold design language. The curve of the A and C pillars would be firmed up into a more angular design. Angles would be fast to preserve the sporty feel of the Falcon G-series, but the car would carry itself in a more crisp fashion. The split grille and LED/HID headlamps would establish the Lincoln "face", and would be flanked by subtle fender vents and LED turn signals integrated into the mirror housings. Again, the basic Zephyr would be fully equipped, offering leatherette trim combined with a mix of wood and piano black interior components, and a variety of stand alone options (leather trim, Sat-Nav, etc.). The Luxury package would include glove-soft leather seats, upgraded wood and satin nickel interior trim, upgraded audio, Sat-Nav, power sunshades for the rear windows, etc. The Sport package would offer a firmer suspension tune, upgraded wheels and tires, black chrome exterior trim, larger exhaust finishers, sport seats, piano black and satin nickel trim in place of the wood, manumatic shifter paddles, Sat-Nav, upgraded audio, etc. AWD would be optional on all models. Powertrain options would include the 3.5L eDI 6cyl rated at 300 hp (n/a with the Sport package), the 3.5L ecoBoost 6cyl rated at 340 hp, and the 5.0L eDI 8cyl rated at 410 hp. If market conditions warranted, a diesel or hybrid powertrain could be offered. A 6 speed automatic would be standard across the line, and on cars with the Sport package, a 6 speed manual would be available.
Competitors: 5-series, A6, E-class, 9-5, S80, XF, CTS, GS, M35/45, RL, S80
Continental: The ne plus ultra sedan offered by Lincoln would hearken back to the suicide door Continentals of the 1960s, but updated with a modern flair. The basic vehicle would stylistically take the 2002 Continental concept and apply the styling cues that have been discussed on other vehicles, like the split grille, fender vents, mirror signals, etc. While the sheetmetal would be distinct, the basic vehicle "cage" would be shared with the Crown Victoria, and could also be offered as an export vehicle to markets such as Australia, the Middle East, and China. The vehicle would be approximately 204 inches in length, and would take on everything from the Lexus LS to the A8 to the 7 Series and so on. Fully equipped would be the only way to describe the vehicle, coming standard with glove soft leather, enhanced wood trim combined with satin nickel throughout the interior, Sat-Nav, reference quality audiophile entertainment system, etc. An Ultra package would include reclining rear seatbacks, wood rear seat trays, an optional split rear seat, a refrigerator, upgraded entertainment and communications equipment in the rear compartment, and so on. A Sport package would also be offered, and would include sport seats, firmer suspension settings, upgraded wheels and tires, black chrome exterior trim, piano black and satin nickel trim in place of the wood trim, manumatic shifter paddles, larger exhaust finishers, etc. A Protection package would also be offered that would include armored sheetmetal, bulletproof glass, run-flat tires, armoring for the engine/fuel tank, and engine and suspension upgrades to deal with the extra weight. AWD would be optional on all models, and powertrain options would include the 3.5L ecoBoost 6cyl rated at 350 hp, the eDI 5.0L 8cyl rated at 410 hp, and the 4.0L 6cyl ecoBoost-D diesel rated at 290 hp. The Protection package would only be available with the eDI 5.8L 8cyl from the Navigator, but upgraded to 450 hp. 6 speed automatics would be standard with all powertrains. 
Mark IX: The return of the flagship personal luxury coupe would be aimed at the upper end of the segment, against the 6-series, CL-class, XK, Bentley Continental, and other premium executive coupes. 
The basic vehicle would be approximately 195 inches to allow for a generous 4 seat interior. Loaded is the only way to describe the vehicle, with glove soft leather, upgraded wood and nickel trim, Sat-Nav, premium audio/entertainment equipment, etc. A Sport package would offer sport seats, black chrome exterior trim, upgraded wheels and tires, sport suspension settings, manumatic shifter paddles, piano black and nickel trim, etc. Powertrain options would include the 3.5L ecoBoost 6cyl rated at 350 hp and the 5.0L eDI 8cyl rated at 410 hp. 
Light Duty Truck RWD/4WD platform
Navigator/Navigator L/Navigator X: The Navigator was the original Luxury Full-Size SUV, and this one will be worthy of the title. Fully equipped from the start, all models would include leatherette, wood trim, moonroof, power liftgate, power 3rd row seat, power running boards, etc.
A Premium package would include glove soft leather, enhanced wood and satin nickel trim throughout the interior, reference audio/entertainment equipment, Sav-Nav, and so on. An Ultra package would make all seats individual buckets and include individual entertainment equipment (headrest mounted), wood table trays, a refrigerator, etc. A Protection package would also be offered on the Navigator/Navigator L, and would include run-flat tires, armored sheetmetal, bulletproof glass, armoring for the engine and fuel tank, and engine and suspension upgrades to handle the extra vehicle weight. The Navigator L would be the extended length model, and the Navigator X would be an evolution of the Mark LT/F-150, 
but would share much more of its sheetmetal and interior fitments with the standard Navigator than the Mark LT did. Powertrain options include the 4.0L ecoBoost-D 6cyl diesel rated at 295 hp, the 5.0L eDI 8cyl rated at 390 hp, and the 5.8L eDI 8cyl rated at 425 hp. The Protection package would include the 5.8L eDI 8cyl upgraded to 450 hp. A 6 speed automatic would be standard with all powertrains.
Competitors: Denali, Escalade, GL-class, Range Rover
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1 comment:
Good thing Shields convinced Mullaly not to axe Lincoln. Maybe we'll see some variants on your concepts during his tenure.
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