Lincoln to Expand Auto Line Up
Lincoln Motors is looking to separate itself a bit from its Ford owner. The company is starting to produce a line-up of new, independently designed and engineered vehicles. Lincoln plans to add a compact, front-drive car and/or crossover. There also is talk that a car based on the next-generation European Ford Mondeo could be added to the lineup.
For Lincoln to succeed, analysts say, it’s critical that product planners separate Lincoln’s design, power trains, and technology from those of the Ford brand. Lincoln will get features such as active noise cancellation and adaptive suspensions.
Lincoln has given fans of the luxury American auto maker an outlook for the 2011-13 model years:
Compact vehicle: the automaker is exploring a compact car, possibly built on a next-generation global Ford Focus platform or the Lincoln C concept, first seen at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
MKZ: redesigned for 2013 when it moves Ford’s global midsize platform. The styling of the next-generation MKZ and Fusion will be more differentiated.
Midsize sedan: a Lincoln version of the next-generation Ford Mondeo, sold in Europe, is possible. If approved, the low-volume midsize car probably would be slotted just under the MKS.
MKS: will be redesigned and will continue with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 added in the 2010 model.
Town Car: the large sedan will be discontinued at the end of 2011.
MKX: also expect a redesign for 2011. MKX is likely to get the 2.0-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine in 18 to 24 months. The 2011 model comes with a 3.7-liter V-6.
Navigator: surprisingly the large Navigator SUV will survive past 2012. The car will get an EcoBoost engine and likely the 5.0-liter V-8 within the next few years.
Source: CNET
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