I'm glad to hear that Lincoln is thinking of using the Mustang as a base for a new car. But I have to agree with Galaxie that the coupe market probably isn't bit enough for a Mustang, Mercury, and Lincoln. Dodge didn't make the new Charger a coupe for just that reason. Granted, they are planning a Challenger, but that's only after they saw that SOME market existed. To think that the market can support a ford, mercury, lincoln, and dodge coupe fighting for the same dollars doesn't make sense.

If Lincoln makes a "mustang" coupe, I'd think that kills the "cougar" for Mercury. I'd still (as I've stated previously) like to see Lincoln provide more of an attack to Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and such. And part of that I'd think would be a performance model based on the mustang, preferably stretched into a 4 door sedan. Base engine the V8 in the Mustang GT, with a high performance version with the Shelby engine. Spread the technology and cost across the entire Ford line as much as reasonable to reduce costs, increase profits.

Then after Lincoln gains a new identity give an identity to Mercury.

 

Its about time Ford considers something like this. Galaxie is is right though, they need to add IRS and host of other items to make it a more up market car. 09 seems a little late to game though. I would have thought Ford would have had this in the shadows when the 05 was unveiled.

And before anyone rehashes the IRS debate, it won't be about handling with a Lincoln, it will be about perceived value.

 

Lincoln Mark IX Concept (from ultimatecarpage.com)
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Lincoln Mark X Concept (from seriouswheels.com)
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Just a little refresher . . .

 

What is going to happen to LX platform that currently builds Mustang, LS, Thunderbird and S-Type? Thunderbird will be gone soon, LS and S-Type are gone after 2007, so it only leaves Mustang and Lincoln's version of Mustang. Ford needs more cars, so other car on LX platform might be Mercury's version of Mustang.

 

The Mustang platform is S197 and the LS/T-bird/S-Type platform is DEW. I'm not sure where you're getting LX platform for these cars.

 

I was pretty sure that Mustang and LS are built on the same platform. My bad.

 

No biggie. That's a common misconception regarding the '05 Mustang.

 

The S197 is based heavily on the DEW98 platform, much like the Old Thunderbird/ Cougar/ Mark VII's were based on the Fox chassis.

Still I'd like to see a RWD coupe from Lincoln again....I'm kind of biased in this department......

I think that it would be neat to see it positioned against some of the Euro performance coupes, and bring back the old "K" moniker for the high performance models going after the BMW M6 possibly. That isn't likely to happen...too bad.

 

I just found information that tells me that I was completely wrong in my last post.

The s197 uses similar structural design as the DEW98 but goes it own way for suspension.

 

It would be a rich man's Mustang, just like the Cougar back in the 60's and 70's

 

Can we have poor's man Mustang?

 

a poor man's mustang you say?

Pinto II!!!!!!!! thats what we need!

lol pintos are just as viable performance cars as IIs so... dont knock em. that whole exploding if you get hit thing needs to be fixed before we make the pinto II though. that might be a downer for sales..

 

Lol, would anyone like to discuss the merits of the suspension used for the S197 vs those of the suspension used in DEW98 cars???

 

I say if the public starts looking for fuel efficiency, then the market will again support more car models over SUV and Pickups. Just need to bring on a few more AWD cars for the Norths Winter season.

 

There far too many models of the same car: Why a Montego and a 500? Same car. You can same the same for the F-150 and the Lincoln LT - as well as the Fusion, Milan and Zephre (misspelled). Why buy a $28K Lincoln when a $21 Fusion can do the same? I always thought the Lincoln LS was a great car - but its been the same since 2003. A realy nice two door Lincoln, based on the Mustang would be great - but it must not marketed carefully - image is the thing at that level. Caddy's CTS and STS have no American competetion - and I would buy a STS if I had the money. I want Ford to be sucessful - but darn if the old "not invented here" mind set isn't killing the company. One less car company in 10 years? Maybe Ford will drop Lincoln and Mercury and blend the two. Which one is best: Mazda Tribute, Ford Escape or
Mercury Mariner? Sorta the same to me.

 

When you think about it, pretty much every Lincoln and Mercury is - Ford.
Example:
Mercury Grand Marquis - Lincoln Town Car - Ford Crown Victoria
Mercury Montego - Ford 500
Mercury Milan - Lincoln Zephyr - Ford Fusion
Mercury Mariner - Ford Escape
Mercury Monterey - Ford Freestar
Mercury Mountaineer - Ford Explorer
Mercury Sable - Ford Taurus
Lincoln Navigator - Ford Expedition
Lincoln Mark LT - Ford F-150

 

the same can be said for GM, toyota, honda, and nissan too lol

 

Not really, at least they don't look same. Lincoln doesn't look similar to Ford or Mercury, but most of Mercury vehicles look identical to Ford.