ANTAUS Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 With gas prices continuing to rise, maybe something smaller slotted under the MarKZee might work? Maybe take the Volvo S40 and Lincolnize it? Maybe with the 2.0L EB I-4, or even the 2.5L I4 in the escape and tweak the heads a bit...something TSX like ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 With gas prices continuing to rise, maybe something smaller slotted under the MarKZee might work? Maybe take the Volvo S40 and Lincolnize it? Maybe with the 2.0L EB I-4, or even the 2.5L I4 in the escape and tweak the heads a bit...something TSX like ? Where's that MKY picture when you need it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
focus05 Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 I forget where/when it was (maybe NAIAS in 2007), but I think it was Mark Fields talking about Lincoln's future plans and insinuated that a C-class vehicle was being considered for the line-up. However, they need a true RWD platform ala BMW, Lexus, Mercedes to pull it off, imo. How hard would it be to turn the C1-2 into a rear-wheel drive chassis? That with a 1.6 EB with 190 hp/190 tor would be plenty as a base engine with the 2.0 with 275/280 on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 I forget where/when it was (maybe NAIAS in 2007), but I think it was Mark Fields talking about Lincoln's future plans and insinuated that a C-class vehicle was being considered for the line-up. However, they need a true RWD platform ala BMW, Lexus, Mercedes to pull it off, imo. How hard would it be to turn the C1-2 into a rear-wheel drive chassis? That with a 1.6 EB with 190 hp/190 tor would be plenty as a base engine with the 2.0 with 275/280 on top. That's the only way it could work, a Lincoln Focus would be a disaster, BMW didn't go FWD for the 1 series.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 That's the only way it could work, a Lincoln Focus would be a disaster, BMW didn't go FWD for the 1 series.. That's because BMW doesn't go FWD for anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 (edited) That's because BMW doesn't go FWD for anything. That's because they don't believe in mediocrity. Some of us remember this piece of shit.. Edited June 10, 2008 by Blueblood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Lover Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 BMW designed and builds the MINI, and it's certainly FWD. And, word is that the forthcoming MINI SUV will share its chassis with a BMW - the X1. Not sure if that qualifies, or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlhm5 Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 With gas prices continuing to rise, maybe something smaller slotted under the MarKZee might work? Maybe take the Volvo S40 and Lincolnize it? Maybe with the 2.0L EB I-4, or even the 2.5L I4 in the escape and tweak the heads a bit...something TSX like ? Slotted where pricewise, the S30 is $30K and is as small as a VW Golf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Jellymoulds Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 (edited) BMW designed and builds the MINI, and it's certainly FWD. And, word is that the forthcoming MINI SUV will share its chassis with a BMW - the X1. Not sure if that qualifies, or not. Mini SUV will be AWD they are also considering a AWD Mini Pick-up truck. BMW could be tempted to build the soft-roader at its factory in Spartanburg, South Carolina, particularly if a pick-up truck variant was added to the line-up. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpr...03775/mini.html Move over the F-150 the Mini Pick-Up is coming it will carry huge loads like 10 loafs of bread on bed, and tow dingy boats and broken down tonka toys. Edited June 10, 2008 by Ford Jellymoulds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark B. Morrow Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 That's because they don't believe in mediocrity. Some of us remember this piece of shit.. And if it gets hit, you can replace the fenders and doors with Chevy Cavalier parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 That's because they don't believe in mediocrity. Mediocrity or not, that's just the way they do business. Much like Audi is all FWD/AWD. The badge-engineered Cimarron need not be mentioned in polite conversation. :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JW Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 The Cimmaron wasn't a piece of shit because it was FWD. It had many other things working against it (like that responsive new 2.0L engine). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Jellymoulds Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 (edited) You don't see the Porsche's & Ferrari's of this world doing cheap and chearful FWD just to save and knock a few bucks off production costs. Edited June 10, 2008 by Ford Jellymoulds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battyr Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 A Focus based MKY would be a mistake. For marketing reasons, it would confused customers. They won't know whether Lincoln sells American luxury or little Euro style VW like cars. It would just fail to get new sales and hurt Lincolns image. A better idea would be to set up a separate brand to sell small cars in Lincoln dealers. Kind of like BMW selling small cars under the MINI name. What would be the best name for this new division? There really is nothing wrong with the name Mercury. If you don't think about cars, the Mercury name brings up images of being modern and fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomcat68 Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 A Focus based MKY would be a mistake. For marketing reasons, it would confused customers. They won't know whether Lincoln sells American luxury or little Euro style VW like cars. It would just fail to get new sales and hurt Lincolns image. A better idea would be to set up a separate brand to sell small cars in Lincoln dealers. Kind of like BMW selling small cars under the MINI name. What would be the best name for this new division? There really is nothing wrong with the name Mercury. If you don't think about cars, the Mercury name brings up images of being modern and fast. I was about to post something like this, but I scrolled down and saw you did it. Rather than kill Mercury, make it useful by doing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battyr Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 A Focus based MKY would be a mistake. For marketing reasons, it would confused customers. They won't know whether Lincoln sells American luxury or little Euro style VW like cars. It would just fail to get new sales and hurt Lincolns image. A better idea would be to set up a separate brand to sell small cars in Lincoln dealers. Kind of like BMW selling small cars under the MINI name. What would be the best name for this new division? There really is nothing wrong with the name Mercury. If you don't think about cars, the Mercury name brings up images of being modern and fast. I Lincoln is going to sell upmarket small cars under a different brand name, would it be easier to sell Mercurys as smaller and mores expensive cars, or just to sell Volvos in Lincoln dealers. Do you sell Lincolns, Volvo, and Mercurys in the same dealerships? I does not make sense to sell small expensive Volvos in the same dealerships with bigger cheaper Mercury's. Long term one of the three divisions with need to be killed off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WingBender Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 A better idea would be to set up a separate brand to sell small cars in Lincoln dealers. Kind of like BMW selling small cars under the MINI name. What would be the best name for this new division? How about "Merkur"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmm55 Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 Where is the Mercury version of the Focus? With these gas prices Mercury NEEDS it! I could see the MKZ with a 4 cylinder EB/manual transmission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papilgee4evaeva Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 (edited) You don't see the Porsche's & Ferrari's of this world doing cheap and chearful FWD just to save and knock a few bucks off production costs. Porsche doesn't need to save money. They're trying to buy up VW for crying out loud. Ferrari isn't hurting for money either. @ Harley Lover: As far as MINI goes, BMW continued the project when they let go of Rover, who had originally developed the car. No extra platform development took place on BMW's part. OTOH, BMW just shortened the 3-Series platform to make the 1-Series. I could see a Lincoln based on the next compact platform, with a mix of Mazda3/Volvo S40 driving characteristics. Edited June 10, 2008 by papilgee4evaeva Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted June 10, 2008 Author Share Posted June 10, 2008 I think the reason Volvo S40 sells at the $28-35K range is mainly because they aren't really turning much of a profile importing them from overseas which is why they are looking at Ford plants in N.A. But it's equivilant stablemate the Mazda3 for a better example, could be easily Lincolnized once the platform evolves into the next generation. Make it AWD standard so it works in conjunction with other Lincoln vehicles... Maybe deduct a good 200lbs from it as well with lighter materials, and use a EB 4 cylinder for it. Naturally, the next MarKZee will grow in size and probably in price so the higher optioned out version will top out, at the price where the MarKqueS starts...thats "usually" how it's done. The new MarKY could start at $25K, maybe hit $30K optioned out. And I surely hope it's not named M-KY...I'm having sexual thoughts there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 It's simple, you do a 2" x 2" expansion on the Focus sedan. You get a unique vehicle with more internal room than a Focus but smaller than the MKZ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 IMHO, width is important, to prevent that "squeeze" feeling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 IMHO, width is important, to prevent that "squeeze" feeling. Oh yeah that's so true Ed, Nothing like getting into a smaller car and still feeling roomy - that's the key to encouraging downsizing. Make people feel like they're not losing anything but instead, gaining everything in efficiency. Btw, if you look at a 2" x 2" stretch on a C1 Focus, you get close to the current Fusion internal dimensions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted June 10, 2008 Author Share Posted June 10, 2008 I'm sure the next Fusion or Mondeo cousin, etc. will grow as well... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battyr Posted June 10, 2008 Share Posted June 10, 2008 How about "Merkur"? Merkur likely came from some MBA who thought an American car maker could use a German name that no body has ever heard of to sell cars to people who want to buy BMW's. Since the name happens to mean Mercury in German, then God must be on there side. I hope he got fired. Since very few people even knew what a Merkur was when they were being sold, no one would know what it is today. By the way I loved the cars. To bad they couldn't market them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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