Lincoln to get Flagship sedan, coupe and convertible
02-06-2004 | 12:53 PM
#1
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From: The Golden State
Lincoln to get Flagship sedan, coupe and convertible
By AMY WILSON | Automotive News
A new flagship sedan for Lincoln is the top product development priority for Lincoln Mercury.
A large sedan takes precedence over a new coupe or convertible for Lincoln or Mercury, division President Darryl Hazel said Sunday after the Lincoln Mercury make meeting.
That vehicle "is an issue for us, and we're working on it," Hazel said.
The company is studying two existing platforms to carry the Lincoln flagship. One is the aging rear-drive Panther platform that underpins the Lincoln Town Car, Mercury Grand Marquis and Ford Crown Victoria. The other is the platform that supports the Ford Five Hundred sedan, which debuts this year.
The flagship would be all-wheel drive and likely wouldn't arrive until 2007 or later.
Phil Martens, North American product development chief for Ford Motor Co., said in early January that the company would make a decision on the flagship by the end of March. But Lincoln officials said Sunday that approval of the flagship plan will probably take longer than that.
Lincoln Mercury still has interest in the two-door market. Lincoln showed the Mark X convertible concept, a reskinned Ford Thunderbird, at the Detroit auto show in January. Hazel also has said he would like a two-door Mercury.
Developing a replacement for the Lincoln Premier Experience dealer certification program is another priority for Lincoln and its dealers. The current program will run through March 2005, the same termination schedule for the Blue Oval and Mercury Advantage certification programs.
Hazel said details about the Lincoln Premier Experience replacement will be revealed this summer.
A new flagship sedan for Lincoln is the top product development priority for Lincoln Mercury.
A large sedan takes precedence over a new coupe or convertible for Lincoln or Mercury, division President Darryl Hazel said Sunday after the Lincoln Mercury make meeting.
That vehicle "is an issue for us, and we're working on it," Hazel said.
The company is studying two existing platforms to carry the Lincoln flagship. One is the aging rear-drive Panther platform that underpins the Lincoln Town Car, Mercury Grand Marquis and Ford Crown Victoria. The other is the platform that supports the Ford Five Hundred sedan, which debuts this year.
The flagship would be all-wheel drive and likely wouldn't arrive until 2007 or later.
Phil Martens, North American product development chief for Ford Motor Co., said in early January that the company would make a decision on the flagship by the end of March. But Lincoln officials said Sunday that approval of the flagship plan will probably take longer than that.
Lincoln Mercury still has interest in the two-door market. Lincoln showed the Mark X convertible concept, a reskinned Ford Thunderbird, at the Detroit auto show in January. Hazel also has said he would like a two-door Mercury.
Developing a replacement for the Lincoln Premier Experience dealer certification program is another priority for Lincoln and its dealers. The current program will run through March 2005, the same termination schedule for the Blue Oval and Mercury Advantage certification programs.
Hazel said details about the Lincoln Premier Experience replacement will be revealed this summer.
What's really interesting is that Ford is just starting the flagship car, and it's scheduled to be out for the 2007 model year (2006), yet the Zeta has been in development for a year or 2 already, yet it won't be out till at least the start of 2007 (2008).
Ford's GT40 was shown at the NAIAS at the same time Solstice was, and guess which is going into production 1st?
And Ford's the one with a reputation of taking too long getting things to market.
Last edited by guionM; 02-06-2004 at 12:59 PM.
02-06-2004 | 01:16 PM
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From: Sterling Heights, MI
Re: Lincoln to get Flagship sedan, coupe and convertible
Originally posted by guionM
What's really interesting is that Ford is just starting the flagship car, and it's scheduled to be out for the 2007 model year (2006), yet the Zeta has been in development for a year or 2 already, yet it won't be out till at least the start of 2007 (2008).
What's really interesting is that Ford is just starting the flagship car, and it's scheduled to be out for the 2007 model year (2006), yet the Zeta has been in development for a year or 2 already, yet it won't be out till at least the start of 2007 (2008).
This is the part where I go
:
The company is studying two existing platforms to carry the Lincoln flagship. One is the aging rear-drive Panther platform that underpins the Lincoln Town Car, Mercury Grand Marquis and Ford Crown Victoria. The other is the platform that supports the Ford Five Hundred sedan, which debuts this year.
02-07-2004 | 09:27 AM
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From: Mich.
What stumps me is I thought this car was going to share parts with the Futura?
FWIW, Rumor mill has it that Wixom will have a temporary shut down.They will be re-doing the plant and it will re-open in 2007.This was told to me from a guy who works there.
This was about 2-3 months ago. Ironic part is he mentioned a Vert/Coupe and "some new car"
FWIW, Rumor mill has it that Wixom will have a temporary shut down.They will be re-doing the plant and it will re-open in 2007.This was told to me from a guy who works there.
This was about 2-3 months ago. Ironic part is he mentioned a Vert/Coupe and "some new car"
02-07-2004 | 01:26 PM
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Posts: 1,313
Re: Re: Lincoln to get Flagship sedan, coupe and convertible
Originally posted by Z28Wilson
Both of those choices are, well, not ideal. Putting a new large flagship luxury sedan on the Panther chassis? I believe Adam and Eve's first ride was a Panther car. C'mon Lincoln you can do better than that. On the other hand, the Five Hundred should be a good Taurus replacement for Ford but with Lincoln it would be like Cadillac putting the new STS on Epsilon. It just isn't right.
Both of those choices are, well, not ideal. Putting a new large flagship luxury sedan on the Panther chassis? I believe Adam and Eve's first ride was a Panther car. C'mon Lincoln you can do better than that. On the other hand, the Five Hundred should be a good Taurus replacement for Ford but with Lincoln it would be like Cadillac putting the new STS on Epsilon. It just isn't right.
02-07-2004 | 09:07 PM
#5
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 343
From: Columbia, SC
the coupe/roadster could be a mark IX (bout time). dunno about the flagship, though i see it being a new continental, by that name or another. MAYBE the new flagship could ride on the same structure as the top level jag.
02-08-2004 | 02:38 AM
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From: Santa Clara, CA
Re: Lincoln to get Flagship sedan, coupe and convertible
Originally posted by guionM
What's really interesting is that Ford is just starting the flagship car, and it's scheduled to be out for the 2007 model year (2006), yet the Zeta has been in development for a year or 2 already, yet it won't be out till at least the start of 2007 (2008).
Ford's GT40 was shown at the NAIAS at the same time Solstice was, and guess which is going into production 1st?
And Ford's the one with a reputation of taking too long getting things to market.
What's really interesting is that Ford is just starting the flagship car, and it's scheduled to be out for the 2007 model year (2006), yet the Zeta has been in development for a year or 2 already, yet it won't be out till at least the start of 2007 (2008).
Ford's GT40 was shown at the NAIAS at the same time Solstice was, and guess which is going into production 1st?
And Ford's the one with a reputation of taking too long getting things to market.
How appealing will a flagship be that is based on one of those?
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