Here's the link.

Sounds interesting...

 

Thought this was a bit interesting!!!!! I think there is more to the article, but I don't carry a subscription with Automotive News to access it.


Will Ford pony up Lincoln?
Automaker considers building coupe based on the Mustang

Amy Wilson
AN / October 10, 2005

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. is considering making a Mustang-based sporty Lincoln coupe this decade, possibly in 2009, insiders say.

The proposal, still in its early stages, would give Lincoln its first rear-drive coupe since the Mark VIII was killed in 1998.

Ford has acknowledged studying a Mustang-based Mercury. A company insider says the Lincoln proposal is more serious.

The Lincoln would have a unique interior and exterior.


Automotive News Article

 

How about they start with the Cougar first. Then add a new Mark later.

I see it like this.

Mustang fights 350z
Cougar fights G35
Lincoln fights Skyline GTR

 

That would be nice, but until then I'll just keep driving my '98 Mark VIII.

 

I have to agree, a Cougar would be nice. The Lincoln should be interesting to see.

 

Cougar Eliminator would be nice ... with 2007 Shelby engine.

 

Kinda slow there KWMJ-KTP. I beat you by half an hour!

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?showtopic=36314

Plus, you might want to refrain from quoting the actual articles in your posts:

http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?ac...nce&f=100&id=20

 

But then again even if Lincoln gets his own version of Mustang, it would be very pricey. I mean, Zephyr is almost $10,000 more than Fusion even though its the same car.

 

To be fair, the Zephyr has more luxury content than the Fusion so it isn't the "same car". However, I'm not sure if the extra content is worth $10K more or not. I guess sales will determine that.

 

And there might be more "upgrades" available for us, poor, Mustang owners if they do base a Mercury off the Mustang. There are a few things I would like to add to Baby that are not currently offered. This could have potential!

 

"Lincoln fights Skyline GTR "

AHAHAHAHAHAHHA....riiiight.

 

Yeah it's a little far fetched since the Cobra would have that duty. I shouldn't have used that car as an example. Maybe this would be better.

Lincoln fights AMG CLK55?

 

Yeeeeea..., that'd still be a tough sell, to get Ford to put the Shelby engine in the Lincoln. I dont think anything else would cut it agianst those AMG cars, cause who knows how much power those will have if/when the Lincoln Mark comes out. I'd think it'd be more likely to see a hopped up 4.6 with maybe 350hp and a lot more luxury weight. Still, a Mustang/Mark would be cool...

And as far as the Cougar goes, i'd be surprised if Ford wanted to put the Shelby engine in that easier. No offense Cougar owners, but it would be like tainting the Mustang if a top of the line identical musclecar was offered as anything other than a Ford Mustang.

 

Well.. the Cougar was dubbed "The Gentleman's Sports Car" back in the late 60's.

 

Having leased two Mark VIII's, I really like our GT a lot. A few more options would be nice, but this is a Mustang. The way things are going lately, I don't think it will happen. Unless it comes with a highbred V-8. At the end of the MarkVIII production a Mark IX was rumored to have been out by late 2002. I think the Continental name will appear first.

 

That isn't apples to oranges. Your comparison is accurate, if you want to compare a Zephyr to a base, 4cyl Fusion. The Zephyr is a loaded car even in "base" trim and any such comparison is pointless.

As comporably equipped as can be achieved, the Lincoln is roughly 5k more expensive than the Fusion. And even then, the Lincoln offers features the Fusion does not. Any less of a price premium and the Lincoln would be pointless.

 

I merged the two topics together...

Here's my take on a coupe based off the Mustang Chassis.

First off, the coupe market is not what it used to be IMO, so there is no room for both a lincoln and a mercury.

For this new "luxury coupe" to be successful, it has to have IRS and more rear legroom. I don't think any luxury coupe buying will consider looking at this car without those two things. It must also have other high-end goodies like heated seats, NAV and a sunroof (ie things some Mustang fans want, but luxury owners expect).

If Ford does end up doing this, I would expect it around 2009-10, right around the time when the Mustang gets its mid-cycle enhancement. Hopefully they will throw the IRS in the Mustang as well.

 

If I remember correctly, base V6 Fusion cost $20,500 (the most expensive Fusion is under $22,000) and Zephyr cost around $29,000.

 

cool!!!!

cant wait to see how this all plays out

 

Actually, the most expensive Fusion model, the SEL, starts at $22,360. (It does have 1k in rebates right now, but the sticker says 22 and change) And, at that price it still lacks options like leather seats, heated seats, heated mirrors, abs, traction control, the airbag/safety upgrade pkg, etc. . All of these things are standard on the Zephyr, and the Zephyr also includes several features not even available as an option on the Fusion.

I suppose I just don't see the logic in comparing the Zephyr to a Fusion that is in no way comparably equipped and essentially a base car. You were making the claim that a Zephyr is 10k more than a Fusion, which isn't untrue but is misleading. The "most expensive" Fusion stickers for roughly 26.5k, which is a fully loaded SEL. The only option on that car not standard on the Zephyr is the moonroof, and a base Zephyr starts under 30k. That is not a huge price gap, and any smaller would make the Lincoln pointless. It would have been more accurate to say the Zephyr is 10k more than a base Fusion, or the Zephyr is4-5k more than a loaded Fusion