http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/13/2...facing-delays/

Ford is hard at work prepping its all-new CD4 platform cars – the Ford Fusion and Lincoln MKZ here in the United States, and the Ford Mondeo overseas. The trio are expected to launch in the first quarter of 2012, but now, a report from Ford Inside News suggests that the Lincoln counterpart could be delayed until the second half of next year.

The reason? Styling issues. Currently, the Fusion and MKZ aren't exactly identical twins, but it isn't all that hard to tell them apart. Furthermore, it's said that Ford is hoping to better differentiate the MKZ Hybrid from the standard sedan. We aren't talking about huge design leaps here; expect the gas versus hybrid styling differences to be similar to what Hyundai does with its Sonata.

Speaking of the MKZ Hybrid, Ford Inside News reports that the Fusion Hybrid's updated powertrain is expected to achieve around 47 miles per gallon in the city. Since Lincoln will use the same setup under the hood of the MKZ, this means the more upscale of the Blue Oval fuel-sippers will easily best other luxury hybrids, including the Lexus HS 250h.

 

Good move! Plus Lincoln's new designer should have a go at the design before the car is released. From what I have heard/read the Lincoln is suppose to be stunning . . . .

 

I read yesterday that Lincoln wants to compete against Lexus and Germans. Ford wants to double Lincoln sales to 160,000 by 2016 I believe.

I don't see that happening unless they add a RWD and start to move away from being a fancy Ford. Not many people want to spend $40,000 on MKS when they can have identical $26,000 Taurus. Or $35,000 MKZ vs $24,000 Fusion V6. Or $45,000 MKT vs $30,000 Flex. And this new compact ... fancy Focus? They wanna build a luxury car based on Focus? Haven't they learned anything from Cadillac Cimarron?

But I'm glad that they are taking their time with a new MKZ. They need to get it right this time.

 

I agree. IMO, "Lincoln" carries no credibility anymore in the Luxury market. Like you said, all they are are fancier Fords... and quite frankly a lot of buying a luxury car is about buying the brand name.

Mercedes
BMW
Audi
Jaguar
Lexus
Infiniti
Acura



and then Lincoln.

They need to differentiate big time from the standard Ford models if they want to build their image.

 

The problem with that headline is that "facing delays" induces a negative reaction. Alan ordered the Lincoln restyles/re-designs to be held open when Max Wolff was hired, so that Max could fit them all into into his new vision for the brand. That's why we've seen the refreshed Taurus before the refreshed MKS, despite the MKS being older. I'd have preferred a headline like "Lincoln won't launch 2013 MKZ until they're sure they got it right."

As for Linc's future, RWD may or may not happen using the next Mustang platform. But even without Linc can thrive, witness Audi's no-RWD luxury success. I'm fairly confident the days of Lincolns being obvious re-badges is ending. For all the griping about MKT it doesn't look a thing like the Flex inside or out, and the only thing the MKS and Taurus exteriors share is door handles.

 

Yeah, but the ride is the same.
At Volkswagen Group, Golf and Audi A3 do share a platform, but they are nothing alike, inside or out or during driving.