Feb 2006

Lincoln's 'menu'

  Let's see if I can tie this altogether and see how it sounds.
  • Lincoln wants to increase its volume.
  • That means finding new customers while (hopefully) keeping your traditional ones.
  • I say that means more models - some with an international flavor, some to American tastes... some from column A, some from...
So one more addition to the lineup and then we can look at the entire 'menu'

Lincoln Zxs

Originally I was thinking of the plus-sized Zep as being closer to a sedan-SUV, but it seems the proliferation of models at Lincoln may be most similar to the expansion of MB's lineup. So...

is to
  as  
  is to   ?
Built on the MkX/Aviator-Z's 111" wlb,
275hp Fusion-ST-3.5v6 standard, optional: 3.8v6, 3.8v6turbo, 4.4v8?
( Zc/Zs keep the 3.0v6 std for pricing, 250hp 3.5v6 optional )
a few composite/aluminum components/panels
baby-VIP styling.

The Zxs would be an alternative to the D385 as an LS replacement. A long wheelbase Mazda6 should be a good starting point for a true sportsedan - and could also provide a basis for an MX-9 flagship for Mazda. (a sport-flagship-hatchback!)

Here you can see how it would fit into the 'menu'...

ovls American style - model - International style 3.5" steps
223.8 luxury truck - Navi-T (Mark LT)   225.0
223.3 extralarge luxury SUV - Navigator-E   221.5
215.0 extralarge Rwd luxury sedan - Panther   218.0
210.0   D472 - luxury motorcoach-van (MB?) 214.5
  E386 - large luxury sedan (MB/Audi?) 211.0
208.4 large luxury SUV - Navigator   207.5
203.8   MkS - luxury sedan (Lexus/Infiniti?) 204.0
199.0 ultraluxury Rwd personal sedan - V. I. P.   200.5
196.0
194.1		   D385 or Zxs - Sport-lux sedan (MB/Audi?) 197.0
192.0 luxury Rwd Sportcoupe - MkC   193.5
190.5   Zs (MkZ) - entry-lux sedan (Lexus/Acura?) 190.0
188.0
-
186.5		  

entry-lux CUV -

 Zc
and
Aviator-Z (MkX)		 - entry-lux coupe (Audi/Infiniti?)

 

 186.5
?   future? - 'compact' lux (Bmw/Audi?) 183.0

The uniform-step overall lengths in the right column are included, not so much as a suggestion, but just as an interesting co-incidence. If there is any value to distinguishing every model by length...

This list may seem like too many models, tho I believe there aren't any duplications or conflicts, just maximum variety = a lot of choices. They may provide enough different offerings for Lincoln to reach the volume goals boasted by the "Way Forward" plan.

3 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 7 0
P
R
I
C
E

R
A
N
G
E
S

b
y

s
i
z
e
  Navigator-T (Mark LT)  
  Navigator-E  
     Panther  
  D472  
  E386  
  Navigator  
  MkS  
L.M.Custom    V. I. P.
  Zxs or D385  
  MkC  
  Zs (MkZ)  
  Aviator-Z (MkX)  
Zc  
 
3 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 7 0

3 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 7 0
P
R
I
C
E

R
A
N
G
E
S

b
y

p
r
i
c
e
   V. I. P.
  Navigator-E  
  Navigator  
     Panther  
  MkC  
  Navigator-T (Mark LT)  
  D472  
  E386  
  MkS  
  Aviator-Z (MkX)  
  Zxs or D385  
  Zs (MkZ)  
Zc  
L.M.Custom  
 
3 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 7 0
This last chart suggests something unexpected (by me)... that it IS feasible for Lincoln's new, highly- touted, Fwd-Awd models to actually be their lower range; and their more prestigious models to be RWD/Awd/4wd!

  • Thinking about this, it seems that the key to a successful Rwd platform (new, renewed, whatever) is that its aim must be at upscale somewhat-niche markets. A low-cost, everyday-everyman, humongous grocery-getter (ie CV) cannot be the basis for these exuberant-to-charming new Lincolns and Mercurys. Perhaps a Thunderbird or a-step-above spaceage Galaxie could bring in the necessary price. Are taxis and copcars built with 'cheaper tech' bolt-ons possible??

  • I've come to believe that it's time to split the panthers into 2 forms - commercial and upscale-retail.
    Ford only: Trim the CV's overhangs but keep it ugly ...I mean... utilitarian (?use old Taurus body panels?). Sell it only as taxi's-copcars-MIB's. Maybe later, bring out a back-to-basics retail version.
    Lincoln-Mercury: develop tech-modern swap-in components for a chassis that DOES NOT look related - for UPSCALE niche markets - at least 6 different nameplates and sheetmetal and sizes - an in-house-Limo would make 7 !
Here's a Mercury chart for comparison.
1 5 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0  
P
R
I
C
E

R
A
N
G
E
S
  GrandMarquis   Large
  Marquis  
  L.M.Custom   Sport
  XR8 (swb Marauder)  
  Cougar (2007-2008)  
  XR6 (2010 on)  
  Mountaineer   SUV's
  Mariner & hybrid  
  Montego & 'wagon' & hybrid   D3
CD3
  Milan & 'wagon' & hybrid  
  MicroSpace & hybrid   FLX (C&B)
  Milanetto 4door & hybrid  
  Capri & hybrid & Capri-XR  
Milanetto 3door & hybrid & XR3  
 
1 5 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0  
L-M combined chart

my latest proposal - Panther: 3 - VIP-L.M.Custom - the D385 - the next, next Mercury - mechanical differentiation


Mar 2006