Well, I really don't know what to think anymore. Lincoln has definitely lost it's direction, and it is going to be a monumental effort to turn it around. But if CAdillac can do it, I don't see why Lincoln can't.
Except.......
The cancellation of the V8 engine is a risky maneuver. Most people today still think of a V8 engine as the price of admission into the luxury car class. Remember in the 80's - 90's when Chrysler got rid of most of their V8's? The public just would not accept their so called "luxury cars" with V6 engines! Fast forward to today..... the Chrysler 300C is a runaway success, with it's Hemi V*..the "halo" engine that brought people into the showrooms and sent them home in new 300's. Yes, not all of the 300's sold had the V8 engines...some were equipped with the V6, but it was the buzz of the "Hemi V8" that made people stand up and take notice.
And doesn't the "powers that be" at Lincoln remember the Taurus-based Continental? It was introduced with the V6 engine. And that car did not fly off the showroom floors either (of course, the "Taurus" feel and the notoriously bad air suspension system did not help matters either).
The MKS should have had as an option a V6 and a V8. I somehow suspect that Lincoln/FOMOCO bean counters have determined that they probably could not afford the tooling or ? to bring the V8 to the MKS. Shame...the car will not be the halo car that Lincoln needs. The styling of the MKS falls short, and that is the response I get from a lot of people that I have shown the picture of the MKS. It is a lukewarm style..it does not evoke emotion, it is not daring, it does not make a statement. Either the design staff or management are simply afraid to take a styling gamble. (Chrysler did with the 300, but I'm sure that this has been said a thousand times already).
And speaking of daring styling...what possible reason in the world did Lincoln have in not bringing some of those great concepts/designs to market??? The 2002-2003 Lincoln Continental Concept was STUNNING! The Lincoln MK9 Concept was also a looker!. Both of those cars, even today, would be head turners and bring people into the Lincoln showrooms. Fresh, exciting and definitely posessing the "Lincoln" signature in a truly BOLD design statement.
Of course, after reading remarks from Lincoln brass stating that a car "will do okay....." that doesn't bode well for their outcome. I myself will not purchase a car from a company whose feelling is that "it will do okay..."
I have had my share of Lincolns, and have a couple right now that I feel will be destined to be desireable collectibles. I myself am hoping that Lincoln will REALLY make a serious change in their direction, management, get people in there that know what needs to be done, make the money investment that they will need to get Lincoln back on track (they really need a home run hit like the 300,...unfortunately, the MKS will not be it....I know that for a fact). And one more thing that Lincoln needs......
A serious flagship sedan sectioned ABOVE the MKS! If they are smart, they will revamp the Town Car...even if the name is changed, they should keep that platform. Why give the livery/limousine market completely over to Chrysler??? That Town Car platform tooling has been paid for years ago, right? Well, re-invest and re-tool it! All that is really wrong with the Town Car is neglect a.k.a the "LS" syndrome. There is still a market for the Front Engined, RWD V8 platform..
Well, if nothing else it will be interesting to see what happens with Ford in general, and Lincoln in particular. It will make for good theater.......
And I'll keep my future collectibles...
Ron
