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Comments
So, is it going to be MKR or Mark R? I really hope Lincoln uses this car as an opportunity to return to names instead of designations, and Mark R would be a vast improvement.
More than that - it should return as a Continental....
Congrats...although when it's time to replace the Explorer, it won't be what and how we see it now, as it is and have known it in the past.
On the MKR,
Blur your eyes a bit, and that what you'll get. You need to decipher them a bit to get the real story on them. The grill will be toned down, just a tad. The front and rear bumpers I can tell you won't make it, because crash standard's wouldn't allow for it. Other things such as beltline, greenhouse shape (not design), tapered "C" Pillar, fender details, etc can easily make it.
But like anything else, much will depend on consumer clinics. But it's safe to say that it'll definatly be a dramatic face on that, and the MKS. And this pays homage to the 41' Conti/Zephyr grills/details.
Yes, I've heard that - and it doesn't please me. Why screw with the best selling SUV on the planet? I, and lots of others, still need a mid sized truck based SUV that will tow a decent sized trailer behind us. What am I supposed to do when it does become time to replace it if it's gone? Get a 4-Runner? I've not had 6 of 'em for no reason - they, IMO are the best designed mid sized SUV on the road.
Yes, I can see that. Very nice. It's a nice interpretation of that original classic look.
Ever seen a LR LR3? Very capable vehicles, and their construction isn't typical of what the breed traditionally has benefitted from...
However, a Ford enthusiast website, about five years ago, posted internal documents showing that the Explorer would move to a unitized body by the end of the decade. This website got into legal trouble for posting many internal Ford documents.
If Ford does produce the MKR, I don't think it will be out before the 2010 model year.
Combine Jaguar & Land Rover dealers, so they have both cars and SUVs to sell on a related basis, ie; Land Rover is Jaguar's truck division and vice versa. Throw in Volvo if you want to, but not essential.
Put someone in charge of the Jolly Old Company who can do what is necessary to save the brand and make some money. Merge the two if necessary, and clean out the head office. It could be done. They both have some prestige, and Land Rover is putting out some great looking product now. Jag is putting out quality now. Between the two, they should be able to merge the quality with the good looks, and create a great dual brand.
As for Lincoln, they really need to focus on rear wheel drive V8 vehicles, or rear-based all-wheel drive. I also have a new Explorer (EB V8). Rear wheel drive and a V8 are features I will always want. A large sedan with a wide and large trunk (revised Town Car??) could give me the cargo capacity I need. No matter how good, a 6 sounds like a 6, and I much prefer an 8. The new 3-valve 4.6 sounds much better than the old 2-valve version, and the additional power is certainly welcome.
That sounds like a capital idea. LR and Jaguar seem like a natural mix. Volvo should also be included as an entry point to Jaguar.
BMW = Cars & SUV's
Lexus = Cars & SUV's
Infiniti = Cars & SUV's
Jaguar = Cars. No SUV's
Land Rover = No Cars just SUV's
Hmmm...That's a tough one.
It is a sweet engine isn't it? AND, it's getting better mileage than my old 4.6L does in my Mountaineer too. Mo power, mo mileage. Now, we're talking!!
Land Rover = No Cars just SUV's
Hmmm...That's a tough one.
I know! You'd think they could think of that without my help, wouldn't you??
Not here. Jag and Volvo are in a combined dealership, though. LR belongs to someone else.
Pnewboy,
No chance of that ever happening actually.
I just hate to see brands with so much equity scrapped. As evidently great as the new Fusion is, it would have revived the Taurus brand just as easily, BUT, didn't start with an F. I guess Faurus was too dangerous....... :P
I get your clue (and thank you) but have little imagination how it will look or work out. I just hope Ford does a good job with it - no door panels like my new Explorer has please! (Hope that designer was fired "way backward".)
FYI: I'm picking up a Red Freestyle for a friend next Friday....a blonde headed Grandma..... I finally get the market for that car! Personally, I like it. From a practicality standpoint, it's probably the best car out there today. Just not "attractive" enough, I guess. But, I digress.
Trying to think of something topical to say here - ummmm - wonder what the Lincoln version may be???
All venues as usual on all vehicles are being explored, and researched to death. Of course, it's the support of the publics comments which help. But there's a very cohesive plan overall, and definately much more going on, and debuting, that people expect.
I'm serious when I say this - if Lincoln can come out with even a "similar" car to the Lexus LS, not saying it needs to be comparable because that's a price point Lincoln can't get to, I'd be very happy to drive a Lincoln again. Still like the feel of Fords and especially Lincolns.
BTW, thanks for your nagging on the hp of the 4.6L and getting it boosted. The engine in my new Explorer is a HOOT, I'll tell ya! Makes that car even 10x more fun to drive than my 04 with the 4.6L 2V.
ANT, revolution happens when somthing coming out that people do not expect, like original Taurus.
Lincoln MKR is also something no one expected. But it is not production model alas.
Today I saw pix of the new redesigned Ford 500. Ahem, ... well I guess if u like the Edge and the Fusion you might like the 500 now. But it's still bland and boring, though at least it's got the 3.5 in it now.
Also, the redesigned Focus is being shown and geez, it aint much better either.
Ford better hit something out of the park soon or it's game over.
The MKR is the styling direction the MKS will undertake, well at least for the front that is. But there's some elements that the MKR displayed which can't be changed on the MKS, because it's too far along in development, other than the front area will be changed dramatically as well. Side stampings, flanks, pillars are usually harder to alter at this stage.
The MKR is cohesive enough to produce, provided there's some up-roar over it. Ford was surprised it even made the front cover of a magazine, so thats one good step...The publics acceptance.
If it adopts styling cues of the MKR so that there's some Lincoln family resembalance, I think that would be a very good thing. As for the MKR, this member of the public accepts it!
Also, if the MKS is getting a little bit of a makeover when might we see the next version as the MKS is no longer on Lincoln's website?
The Interceptor points to the direction of where Ford is taking it's RWD sedan market. To have a cohesive plan, just ask yourself how many different model vehicles(S) can be built upon such a platform. This also dispells rumors that the D2C Mustang platform wasn't flexible. Anything can, just depends upon the investment risk your willing to make.
And as usual, flexible manufacturing is vital for a financially feasable plan. Just like the 500/FS/MTG can switch from one model to another, with a flick of a switch depending on how well one model is selling over another.
I think you just need to Explore the other options.
More importantly to me, what do we know about the engine to be used in the production MKS? I assume a NA 3.7 will be used at launch. How about the Twinforce? If the NA 3.7 is used, will it feature direct injection or other upgrades to provide more power? I drove an MKZ recently and was impressed with the smoothness and refinement of the 3.5 but the performance was disappointing. If they just bump the displacement to 3.7 and stick it in the heavier MKS, I can't imagine that being acceptable for a "flagship" Lincoln.
Also, any word on whether the production MKS will have that nifty D-L shifter that heyjewel and I are so impressed with?