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Lincoln Zephyr/MKZ
I'm opening this forum about the Lincoln Zephyr. It'll be the new Lincoln entry vehicle that will be released at the New York Intnational Auto Show. Based on the Mazda6 platform, in AWD placed as Lincoln entry vehicle under the LS.
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There are speculations they might name the Futura Four Hundred.
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=18048
http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0404/08/b01-116631.htm
It's the interior, though, that really disappoints me. I know the style is what Lincoln has been doing lately, and I'm sure the quality and detailing will be good. But take a look at the Acura RL concept interior or the current TL and take a look at the Infiniti M45 concept interior and, in my opinion, the F-series vents and A/C controls (and shifter?) with that neo-60's dual hooded style just doesn't match up. And could the gauges be smaller? What happened to the electroluminescent gauges that at least updated that 60's look?
Again, I know it'll appeal to many here, and I'm glad it does so, and I hope it sells a ton. But as someone who really liked the LS and was looking for a vehicle with similar aura but just more distinctive, the Zephyr is just not something that gets my heart racing. Too bad, as I really have a soft spot for Lincoln.
- Bret
Some styling elements that date back to older Lincolns, will be kept. Notice the waterfall grill, is what Lincoln has, and will be, sticking to. With the emblem centered. The rear lights will make it. So will the twin cockpit design it has.
It'll sport a 3.0L V6 (HP not released yet) and 6Speed auto (which will improve acceleration dramatically). And AWD and 3.5L will be implemented soon after.
Anyway, the new exterior styling looks good, I like the direction Lincoolns going with it. It harkens back to classic mid-century modern American design. Maybe they could do some lifestyle marketing tie-ins with Knoll and Herman Miller. Don't know if that'll sell to the Hip Hop bling-bling generation though.
Granted, as long as they past the federal standards of 5MPH bumper's must endure. The only assessment where such vehicles might be critisized, is on the bumper bashing tests that IIHS periodically performs. Later critisized by other media outlet's when there's a vehicle that's a bad performance... lately, the Acura TL for example.
As for the Zephyr, the actual bumper's will be a tad more pronounced. The side stays as is, maybe a rub strip might be integrated for example.
Since it's a concept, the manufacturer will test consumer's reactions towards the vehicles. And I know for a fact, Ford reads these boards.... so mention ALL likes and dislikes so they are aware of it.
Anyway, the new exterior styling looks good, I like the direction Lincoolns going with it. It harkens back to classic mid-century modern American design. Maybe they could do some lifestyle marketing tie-ins with Knoll and Herman Miller. Don't know if that'll sell to the Hip Hop bling-bling generation though.
C'mon ANT, tell them to keep the Taurus name and put it on the Futura, since Futura can't be used. Keep the bull in the family. Naming every car with and F is just too confining.
I suppose Taurus is too masculine to pick up the female customer? So what, they can buy the Lincoln or Mercury version.
http://www.wieck.com/public/*wieck_search?ws4d_nav=true&opera- tor=and&source=wik&source=wka&source=wkt&Page=1&a- mp;operator=and&search_criteria=zephyr&operator=and&s- earch_criteria=&keyword=&Sort=import_date&submit_butt- on=Search&URL=index.html
You mentioned the waterfall grille is here to stay as a styling theme for Lincoln? Makes me happy, but then why did the Aviator concept have the 61 Continental eggcrate grille on it? Testing the waters?
I agree on the interior, but I'm currently dealing with a vehicle with chrome instrumentation bezzles, and I can tell you it's quite annoying to have reflection hit me, and the windshield at certain times of the day.
But more info should pour over the next couple of months... Either way, every person has their favorite between the Zephyr, Milan and Fusion.
I do not believe they have a specific person that monitor's web-boards per-se... can you imagine that position... "Hey what do you do?".... "OH I just go online and read board all days". I believe it's more in the lines of personal data/information. Example, If Joe Shmoe were in the styling dept. of a specific vehicle, and wanted people's impression of a certain concept...think of what the web-boards can do and for free! Without having to spend money on consumer groups. That's an example.
NvBanker,
Testing waters... You know how the Futura concept (which-ever name they pick soon), it has a different grill, than the new 500/Freestyle/Focus are using this year........
I like the interior except the wood is too light. The point of wood on the dash is for contrast. If you have to look hard to tell whether it's wood or beige plastic, you've missed the point. Other than that, the interior looks really cool. I like the classy retro style.
Exterior: I love the front fascia! I'm glad to see the real grille make a comeback (though Chrysler did it even better with the 2005 300). The back is so-so. It's not ugly, but it's not what I would have done. I would make the corners a little sharper (not just like a CTS, but more like one) to give the back a more substantial appearance. Another idea that springs to mind is to accentuate the taillights by putting the chrome Lincoln star in the middle of the lens (yeah, I know, "so '80s," but it would look cool!) and replace the Lincoln star on the trunk with the word LINCOLN or ZEPHYR.
One other thing I'd like to note is that I really feel that the wheels overpower the car. In general, I will never understand why people like the look of HUGE wheels on sedans, but these ones are particularly bad IMHO (I have the same issue with the Buick Velite, which uses a similar wheel design). Wheels are supposed to look good and harmonize with the car, not dominate it and distract from the styling. When I have to hold my thumbs over the wheels in a picture in order to get a better sense of the car's proportions, something is wrong. I'd like to see how this car would look with the 16" or 17" flat-spoke wheels from the current Lincoln LS.
Overall I think this is a pretty nice effort. They could have done a lot worse. For one, they could have called it the Versailles :-)
-Andrew L
M
I like the car, but the more I look at it, the more I worry that it may be too narrow. I notice that some of the publicity photos were shot from an angle that makes the car look wider.
This is one of the 10 vehicles, that will debut using the Mazda6 platform/architecture.
The LS will be going a bit up, and your probably going to see more LS V8's being sold, than the V6, while the V6 is placed into the Zephyr.
Some key points over most competitors, it'll have a 6 Speed automatic, AND Available AWD after introduction. And the platform itself is much more fun to drive than any Camry/ES330.
The Zephyr doesn't need V8 option, since those seeking more power can upgrade to an LS. Same aspect with the ES330, where some can up into the GS-series.
The interior will be very luxurious (in material/quality) over numerous other's.
Ford has too many brands that compete with one another (like GM in 50 - 60 or 70's) for example: Jaguar, Volvo, Lincoln, Landrover (did i miss any) meybe Mercury but nah. What happenns is every brand needs its own commercals and image, this costs money. Diamler has 1 heavy hitter in these segments (MB) GM has Cadillac, VW has audi and we all know BMW.
I believe this is the reason (or one of the reasons) why when Ford is introducing a new car with 200 hp (the Zephyr) to compete against an established vehicle that now has 330hp (Es330), with toyota about to put a new engine into its new avalon at 3.5L with 270 hp, fords new 3.5L will have 245 from what i gather at media.ford.com and other sources. Hell, they had an Aviator on display with a 240hp V6! Thats a honda accord output rating, on a Lincoln?!
Ford needs to consolidate, lower costs (get rid of UAW or move out of the country entirely, since honda and toyota USA aren't afiliated with UAW and the catastrophic heath care / retirement costs that come with such relations) and mount an offensive.
Guys, why do you think toyota's stock is in the upper 60's (69 dollars as of last friday) while ford is in the teens (about 15 dollars)?!
Its more than the Zephyr. Ford needs to compete, hell, at least GM is trying.
I know a few people who'll probably love the Zephyr. Its competitors are moving towards a different kind of styling, and the Zephyr will fill the (conservative) void.
The reason there are no Maximas in Tokyo has a lot more to do with size then dealership cost. For Europe it's the same way. Not only would it be a pain to navigate and park a car of that size on the narrow roads of those congested cities, but they don't get the cheap gas that we do. The other big reason is the way in which both japanese and european governments tax automobiles every which way to sunday. Size, width, displacement, etc... You end up paying an outrageous amount every year just to run a big car. That's why the trend in other markets is to sell small cars with lots of room inside.
Also if you make the exchange rate between what a car cost in Japan/Europe vs what they cost here the difference is alarming. Not only is our gas amazingly cheap by comparison, but so are our cars. The reason we have lower prices has a lot to do with how many cars we buy and how long we keep them for (not very).
But back to the Zephyr. How big is this car? It seems to me that with it's engine and fwd layout it would be competing with cars like the TSX, S40 and upcoming SAAB 9-2x.