New Lincoln to be based on FWD Mazda 6

J

johnaec

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RE: New Lincoln to be based on FWD Mazda 6

Putting a Lincoln on a low cost platform is part of the Ford corporate strategy to begin selling Lincolns at Walmart.

The people who make the decisions at American car companies are apparently not well versed in automotive history. Putting a luxury car name on a low cost platform did not work for the Versailles (Grenada/Monarch), Cimarron (J-car) or Catera (Opel). Those that do not know history are doomed to repeat it.

Alexander
President
Lincolns of Distinction
 
RE: New Lincoln to be based on FWD Mazda 6

This reminds me of a satire article I read a while back, about a low-end (only $150k!) Rolls Royce "Silver Pauper" based on a Hyundai Elantra.

Granted, using a platform that dates to the 1970s and is shared with cop cars and commercial fleet vehicles doesn't hurt the Town Car too much. But a compact Mazda chassis?!
 
RE: New Lincoln to be based on FWD Mazda 6

You can be sure that they are celebrating at Cadillac! Hello, Limo-business.
 
RE: New Lincoln to be based on FWD Mazda 6

Oh, this is brilliant:

"'Our strategy is to put the money where it counts – on the visual parts and key touch zones,' Mascarenas says."

Where it counts? I'm at a loss for words.
 
RE: New Lincoln to be based on FWD Mazda 6

Fancy Leathers, Real Wood Trim, Elegant Rear Seat Ashtrays and real stitching on the padded dash. Beveled edges throughout, too.

They would have far better off using the Volvo S80 platform with their patented " Four C " Chassis system.** Mazda Town Car? Nope, not here.

** Electronic Stability Control, Electronic Brake Control, Dynamic Driver Adjustable Ride Control and Active Suspension.
 
RE: New Lincoln to be based on FWD Mazda 6

Just when I thought Lincoln could not possibly underwhelm me any more.

"...likely with all-wheel drive as an option..."

The only saving grace. However, it will probably be teamed with a boring V6 engine and a slushbox tranny.

Oh well, looks like it's another Mustang for me after the Mark.
 
RE: New Lincoln to be based on FWD Mazda 6

What's the big deal? Quite some time ago I posted a topic in which I drove a brand new Mazda6 and a new LS side by side. The Mazda 6 was everything the LS was (except power-wise..but it was close), and it seemed to handle better. I preferred the Mazda6. The Mazda6 is the sportiest car in its class. Is it the fact that it's FWD that pisses everyone off? The Mazda6 chassis is excellent. As usual, people here are complaining about a car/chassis they've never driven. So the ONLY reason I can see people getting upset is that it is FWD. Keep in mind in Europe the Mazda6 platform is alos AWD. An AWD Lincoln CAR with decent power is appealing..at least to me anyways...
 
RE: New Lincoln to be based on FWD Mazda 6

Besides FWD, my main complaint is that it looks just like every other 4 door import out there - where's the replacement for the upscale 2 door coupe we all love so much?? This is where Ford/Lincoln is really letting us down...

John
[link:mark8.org/lodnca|NorCal Chapter Website]
http://mark8.org/users/johnaec/Mark_VIII_s.jpg
'97 Mark VIII LSC
'96 T-Bird 4.6L
 
RE: New Lincoln to be based on FWD Mazda 6

The car WILL NOT share the Mazda6 body, but the basic platform, the frame if you will. The car will look different. It's possible. Look at Infiniti/Nissan. Their 350Z, G35 Sedan, and FX35/45 SUV all use the FM platform, yet look radically different. It will be interesting to see how Ford does.
 
RE: New Lincoln to be based on FWD Mazda 6

Is it the fact that it's FWD that pisses everyone off?

That's pretty much it for me. I have yet to drive a FWD car that drives as nice as a RWD or AWD. Same reason I think Acura is pretty "meh," even with that one car of theirs (the TL?) that has 270hp.

An AWD Lincoln CAR with decent power is appealing..at least to me anyways...

Definitely, but I think that depends on what their definition of "decent" is. I think I'd have a hard time stepping down in power (or power to weight ratio, I imagine a Mazda6 based car would be much lighter than the Mark, but I'd still need my low-end torque :) ).
 
RE: New Lincoln to be based on FWD Mazda 6

What's the big deal? Quite some time ago I posted a topic in which I drove a brand new Mazda6 and a new LS side by side. The Mazda 6 was everything the LS was (except power-wise..but it was close), and it seemed to handle better. I preferred the Mazda6. The Mazda6 is the sportiest car in its class. Is it the fact that it's FWD that pisses everyone off? The Mazda6 chassis is excellent. As usual, people here are complaining about a car/chassis they've never driven. So the ONLY reason I can see people getting upset is that it is FWD. Keep in mind in Europe the Mazda6 platform is alos AWD. An AWD Lincoln CAR with decent power is appealing..at least to me anyways...
Click to expand...
I am with RRocket on this. I have driven the Mazda 6 with the V6/autostick combo and the car was awesome. I can't compare it to the LS because I haven't driven one yet, but I was very impressed with the 6. I am not a big fan of FWD cars, but an all wheel drive Lincoln based on the 6's platform would be a very nice combo, even with a V6.
 
RE: New Lincoln to be based on FWD Mazda 6

They might do well selling a smaller FWD lincoln, but they damn well better not neglect their core business, that being larger upscale cars. They need to do something serious with the town car, and offer a sporty coupe that will compete with the Cadillac XLR.
 
RE: New Lincoln to be based on FWD Mazda 6

They need to keep the Town Car BIG. It's the sole remaining RWD full size BIG car, and there is no other choice in the $45,000-$52,000 catagory. It sells 85 to 95 thousand units a year. Without it the Livery indstry will go foreign. Most likely to Lexus LS. We don't want that! :( Town Car people are hard-core devoted to the brand, many on their 5th or 6th one. I have found out, first hand, why - and cannot blame them. If they make it the size of a Sable or Grand Prix they are handing 80% of the T.C. sales on a silver platter to Lexus, who will only be too happy to receive it!
 
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