Lincoln plans two Five Hundred-based sedans

[ifcar]

Lincoln Plans Two D3 Sedans

Lincoln's future sedan plans could include two vehicles spun from the same D3 platform that has already bred the Ford Five Hundred/Freestyle/Montego trio. Automotive News reports that Lincoln will follow its new Zephyr sedan due this fall with a pair of upscale sedans based on the Volvo/Ford platform that has spawned the Five Hundred sedan. The new sedans would replace the LS rear-driver with a new mid-size sedan from the new platform in 2007. A larger four-door would bow in 2008 and may be dubbed the Continental. Both would be powered by a version of the Yamaha-built 4.4-liter V-8 recently introduced in the Volvo XC90 sedan. Both vehicles would be built in Atlanta alongside a new crossover vehicle coming for Lincoln.  

[mazda6er]

Wow, Zephyr, new "LS", Continental...Even if the Towncar is on its way out (maybe replaced by the Continental?), this seems a bit overkill, doesn't it? Talk about squeezing money out of a single platform.

[ifcar]

The Town Car and Continental coexisted before, they can do it again.  

[giant_mtb]

Sweet.  


Lincoln... (except for the Mark LT  <_< )

[TBR]

The Town Car and Continental coexisted before, they can do it again.

Not successfully, in recent times anyway.

[ifcar]

That's the fault of the product, not the strategy.

[TBR]

No it isn't, the Continental was a superior car to the Town Car yet the Town Car still easily outsold it.

[ifcar]

No it isn't, the Continental was a superior car to the Town Car yet the Town Car still easily outsold it.

Neither was an especially good car. The Town Car just had better owner loyalty and pricing.

[BMWDave]

No it isn't, the Continental was a superior car to the Town Car yet the Town Car still easily outsold it.

Neither was an especially good car. The Town Car just had better owner loyalty and pricing.

And the Town car was just dumped in copious amounts into fleet sales.  

The LS should be spun off a RWD setup, not a FWD one.   The LS is the only real sporty car in Lincoln's lineup, and perhaps its only raelly appealing car.  Lincoln shouldnt ruin that.

[SVT_Power]

No it isn't, the Continental was a superior car to the Town Car yet the Town Car still easily outsold it.

Neither was an especially good car. The Town Car just had better owner loyalty and pricing.

And the Town car was just dumped in copious amounts into fleet sales.  

The LS should be spun off a RWD setup, not a FWD one.   The LS is the only real sporty car in Lincoln's lineup, and perhaps its only raelly appealing car.  Lincoln shouldnt ruin that.

the LS might rake up some more sales if they added AWD to the platform.

[TBR]

I am sure that both cars will have AWD available as both the Five Hundred and the Montego do.

[TBR]

I am sure that both cars will have AWD available as both the Five Hundred and the Montego do.

[SVT_Power]

has lincoln ever offered AWD except on the Navigator/Aviator?

[TBR]

Not that I know of.

[Raghavan]

damn, a front driver replaces the rear wheel drive LS?

[BMWDave]

I am sure that both cars will have AWD available as both the Five Hundred and the Montego do.

I am also sure they will have AWD, but the LS was a sports sedan, and this platform just isnt the one to use to replace a car like that.

[SVT_Power]

damn, a front driver replaces the rear wheel drive LS?

Ford is not making the greatest decisions lately

[ifcar]

I am sure that both cars will have AWD available as both the Five Hundred and the Montego do.

I am also sure they will have AWD, but the LS was a sports sedan, and this platform just isnt the one to use to replace a car like that.

The S60 is also intended as a sports sedan, and has decent handling. And I suppose they blame the LS's lack of sales success on the car rather than their brand image and styling, and want to try something new (and cheaper). Not a great decision, but I'm sure it will still be far better than the Zephyr.

[Raghavan]

I'm assuming the V8 will be AWD only?

[ifcar]

The previous Continental was V8 FWD.

[Raghavan]

The previous Continental was V8 FWD.

but don't you think 311 hp and especially 325lb-ft of torque ( the current V8 specs) is a bit much for a front driver?

[ifcar]

"A version" of that engine used for grampa's Lincoln is probably not going to be making that kind of power.

[SVT_Power]

"A version" of that engine used for grampa's Lincoln is probably not going to be making that kind of power.

lol probably right

[TBR]

I am sure that both cars will have AWD available as both the Five Hundred and the Montego do.

I am also sure they will have AWD, but the LS was a sports sedan, and this platform just isnt the one to use to replace a car like that.

I agree, I was responding to this comment:

"the LS might rake up some more sales if they added AWD to the platform. "

[BMWDave]

I am sure that both cars will have AWD available as both the Five Hundred and the Montego do.

I am also sure they will have AWD, but the LS was a sports sedan, and this platform just isnt the one to use to replace a car like that.

I agree, I was responding to this comment:

"the LS might rake up some more sales if they added AWD to the platform. "

All right, sorry for the confusion :)  

[Raza]

Lincoln loses its only rear driver, has more expensive Ford rebadges....

This brand isn't dead yet?

At least Lincoln LS V8s are cheap on the used market.

[ifcar]

It's only rear driver? The Town Car is forgettable, but still available.  

[Raza]

It's only rear driver? The Town Car is forgettable, but still available.

Oh sorry.  I should have said "only rear driver worth buying".  I forgot that the Town Car was rear drive.  

I wonder what one of those looks like on a race track...hmm...

[BMWDave]

It's only rear driver? The Town Car is forgettable, but still available.

Oh sorry.  I should have said "only rear driver worth buying".  I forgot that the Town Car was rear drive.  

I wonder what one of those looks like on a race track...hmm...

I think in a review of a armored town car, C/D said it drives like squash or something like that  

[mazda6er]

It's only rear driver? The Town Car is forgettable, but still available.

Oh sorry.  I should have said "only rear driver worth buying".  I forgot that the Town Car was rear drive.  

I wonder what one of those looks like on a race track...hmm...

I think in a review of a armored town car, C/D said it drives like squash or something like that

That's odd, I thought it drove more like zucchini.