Lincoln To Replace Waterfall Grille With Next New Disposable Design

[Sherminator98]

http://jalopnik.com/5843074/made-in-new-jersey-automotive-news-hates-bloggers-and-lincoln-disposes-of-disposable-design

 

ccording to sources familiar with plans for the updated Lincoln MKS sedan and MKT crossover coming next spring, Lincoln's waterfall grille — first shown with the Lincoln MKR concept at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show — is on the way out

[mackinaw]

From today's Automotive News:

 

"Love it or hate it, Lincoln's waterfall grille is on the way out, according to sources familiar with plans for the updated MKS sedan and MKT crossover coming next spring.

 

One source said the MKS and MKT grille will be "completely different" from the current grille, which has been controversial. He said the new grille is "not as pronounced" as the waterfall and "more elegant."

 

Ford might show the revised MKS and MKT at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, says a Ford source."

[Hugh]

Great, first they trash Automotive news for poor journalism comments. Then a couple of 'gears' later, they turn around with a jackass comment on the upcomng disposable language with no connection with Lincoln's heritage. Have they seen the new 'design language'? The comment a new 'language' will come out in a few years is funny because there are MCE's and changes period for all automakers.

Edited September 26, 2011 by Hugh

[Edstock]

Jalopnik doesn't like Ford/Lincoln, so Ray is snarky. Looks like, from the spy shots, that the waterfall will be acquiring finer blades. To Ray, any change at Lincoln means disposable design, unllike, say, BMW and its front clip changes since Bangle-ization.

[Catalepsy]

The only way Lincoln can even make an impact in the market is by blowing up the tired old image that's in most consumer's minds. You can't keep carrying the baggage of the past just for the sake of consistency. At this point, more non-enthusiasts would notice Hyundai changes their corporate designs than Lincoln.

 

 

http://jalopnik.com/5843074/made-in-new-jersey-automotive-news-hates-bloggers-and-lincoln-disposes-of-disposable-design

 

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[Hugh]

Jalopnik doesn't like Ford/Lincoln, so Ray is snarky. Looks like, from the spy shots, that the waterfall will be acquiring finer blades. To Ray, any change at Lincoln means disposable design, unllike, say, BMW and its front clip changes since Bangle-ization.

+1. Personally, I have no time for Ray.

[sullynd]

I am never surprised that Jalop and Gizmodo are owned by the same outfit. They both operate at the same level of tactlessness.

[Edstock]

I am never surprised that Jalop and Gizmodo are owned by the same outfit. They both operate at the same level of tactlessness.

FWIW, I like their SF/Science site, io9, but Jalopnik has a churlish attitude about Lincoln.

[RichardJensen]

All design is disposable.

[2b2]

+1. Personally, I have no time for Ray.

+2

Jollypop

[PREMiERdrum]

Uhh... the "waterfall" grille was phased out with the 2009 MKS, MKT, and 2010 MKZ which all feature an iteration of the "split wing" or "bow weave" grille from the MKR concept car. While the bow weave includes vertical elements in each of the separated portions, the "waterfall" grille more accurately describes the design on 2009 and older MKZ, all Milans and Mariners, as well as Buicks.

 

We've seen that some form of the bow/wave grille has been on the MKZ prototype and what we think is an MKS mule.

[Sherminator98]

Uhh... the "waterfall" grille was phased out with the 2009 MKS, MKT, and 2010 MKZ which all feature an iteration of the "split wing" or "bow weave" grille from the MKR concept car. While the bow weave includes vertical elements in each of the separated portions, the "waterfall" grille more accurately describes the design on 2009 and older MKZ, all Milans and Mariners, as well as Buicks.

 

I remember back in the 1990's that the primary difference between Mercury and Ford's where "Waterfall" grill design that Mercury had.

 

 

 

 

 

[NickF1011]

I remember back in the 1990's that the primary difference between Mercury and Ford's where "Waterfall" grill design that Mercury had.

 

And the awesome backlit center section that never had more than one half working properly.

[PREMiERdrum]

And the awesome backlit center section that never had more than one half working properly.

 

And to think of all the incredible things that today's lighting technology could do to resurrect Mercury's "lightbar grille" idea

[jpd80]

Could it be that Max Wolfe is fine tuning the design of Lincoln's signature grille from an over sized feature to a more subtle design,

small changes here and there are all that's needed to make a nice car look sensational, it doesn't take much either way....

[Bored of Pisteon]

All design is disposable.

 

So are most of the automobiles and pick-up trucks made the last 20 years.

[ANTAUS]

I dont see why the word "controversial" grille was used...all the grills were fine, cept on the MKT which bordered on "too much", otherwise it's tactful on the MKSTZ...Now I think the one on the Navi is not attractive at all.

[LSFan00]

At least they didn't hold onto an unpopular design motif all the way to the graveyard like Pontiac.

 

Isn't Aston Martin criticized heavily for just reworking the same basic design ad nauseum? Can't make everyone happy, even if you stick with gorgeous.

[2005Explorer]

And the awesome backlit center section that never had more than one half working properly.

 

Do you remember when Pontiac copied the light bar for the Grand Prix sedan?

 

I will say however when the 1986 Taurus and Sable came to market however they did a good job differentiating the two cars. As time went on they got closer and closer together, until the only main difference was only the front end and back end. Believe it or not the 1986 Sable even had slightly different instrument panel and steering wheel styling compared to the Taurus at that time.

[ANTAUS]

Didn't Mercury and Ford in the 90s have different side windows? I like Ford had 3 side glasses (front driver/rear passenger/behind rear passenger parcel shelf window), while Mercury has just 2?

[Sherminator98]

Didn't Mercury and Ford in the 90s have different side windows? I like Ford had 3 side glasses (front driver/rear passenger/behind rear passenger parcel shelf window), while Mercury has just 2?

 

Mercury had a different C-pillar treatment for the most part all the way into the late 1990s vs their Ford counterparts

[vision street wear]

I have seen the MKS, MKT, and the new MKZ. The waterfall grill is still there, just more subtle and shaped slightly different. I personally do not like the grill on the upcoming MKS and MKT. It looks too much like a Pontiac grill. The new MKZ is a knockout. Hopefully I am in the minority and everyone else likes the new grill.

[2b2]

I have seen the MKS, MKT, and the new MKZ. The waterfall grill is still there, just more subtle and shaped slightly different. I personally do not like the grill on the upcoming MKS and MKT. It looks too much like a Pontiac grill. The new MKZ is a knockout. Hopefully I am in the minority and everyone else likes the new grill.

doesn't surprise me, 'vision street wear'

a couple of my Lincoln chops wound up looking Pontiac-ish

esp if I went full-width with the grille

[BORG]

Wow, this is completely wrong. The grille is staying but is redesigned with narrower gaps (not my personal preference). And these people do not know how to communicate, they have completely screwed up their message.

 

The Lincoln design does not need to be tossed, it's distinctive enough and nicely aggressive when applied correctly. It's also very scalable, unlike the Ford 3-bar grille or trapezoidal thing they are doing now...they can manipulate this design into many different forms and evolve it smartly without loosing its identity. Lincoln is my last hope for good design at Ford.

Edited September 27, 2011 by BORG

[vision street wear]

Borg is spot on. Same basic grill with smaller gaps and a slightly different shape. I personally think it makes the cars look cheaper. Again, just my opinion. The Lincoln transformation starts with the MKZ. If all of the new Lincolns are as gorgeous as the MKZ the brand stands a chance.