IMSA-XJR9 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 http://www.worldcarfans.com/113090362349/ford-mondeo-vignale-concept-previews-premium-trim-due-2015 Slotting above the Titanium X in Ford's trim hierarchy, Vignale will be available starting 2015 when it will make its debut on the newMondeo/Fusion. It will also be introduced for the S-MAX and Edge and will target the "10-15 percent of potential buyers who want an ever higher specification." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68Cougar Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Sounds like when they used the Ghia name for the top of the line models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Wonder if this is going to make it Stateside or not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 (edited) Researching the Vignale leads one into the DeTomaso business empire, which is a rabbit-hole worth exploring........... For instance, Tom Tjaarda & Ghia developed a 351-Cleveland powered sedan for DeTomaso (the Deauville) which eventually became the Maserati BiTurbo and Quattroporte III. The relationship between that model and the ItalDesign BiTurbo & Quattroporte is obvious once one sees the Deauville: The Deauville was not a success---------which is not a surprise when you consider that it was an Italian sedan attempting to compete with British and German luxury vehicles by using an American engine and a French name. Still--it's a fairly handsome vehicle. I'm looking at it and imagining the wonderful smell of old leather, the feel of old vehicle hardware and controls, the look of old instruments, and the burble and fumes of a carbureted V8 at idle. Edited September 3, 2013 by RichardJensen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Wonder if this is going to make it Stateside or not? It would seem like it based on the use of Mondeo/Fusion and mention of the Edge but it's hard to be sure. It would also seem to encroach onto MKZ territory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Damn that car looks sexy! It would also seem to encroach onto MKZ territory. That's what I was thinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 That's what I was thinking. Duh....... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 It would seem that with the Vignale slotting in above Titanium (Love the grille treatment by the way...) It would seem that it is time for MKZ to take "Black Label" to the next level and have some higher fashion design houses amp up the style treatments.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 (edited) If there wasn't a Lincoln brand, this would be the direction I would expect Ford to take with its platforms, going further above Titanium to Titanium X and then this Vignale (Black label) would be a perfect way to continue elevating the Ford brand globally. I would be interested to hear people's POV on an elevated Ford brand - it's impact on Lincoln and near luxury competitors. (A better Ford originator has to be good news for Lincoln but it also raises the bar for Lincoln and forces it to be better) Edited September 3, 2013 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2b2 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I've been thinking GUSSIED UP!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edstock Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 IMHO, over time, this could be Buick's worst nightmare: a luxury-grille Fusion with a not-quite MKZ-grade interior. If Ford can market it effectively and the time is right, a lot of other makes in the near-luxo niche could get nervous, too. It pushes the brand. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercurymichael Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Looks great, but wasn't this the entire point of Mercury? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 IMHO, over time, this could be Buick's worst nightmare: a luxury-grille Fusion with a not-quite MKZ-grade interior. If Ford can market it effectively and the time is right, a lot of other makes in the near-luxo niche could get nervous, too. It pushes the brand. So, are we bringing Mercury back? If anything, GM should move Chevrolet up a notch and kick Buick to the curb. IMHO, I see this as Lincoln is not going to Europe for some time. This is going to move Ford upmarket with trim lines over there yet this is area covered here. Look at the Euro/China Mondeo IP. That's what we have in our MKZ. Lincoln has Black Label. Perhaps, I think this is an acid test to see if Europe wants Lincoln. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StLght3 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I like the front end look, like the new fusion with the jagish styling, but the backend from that picture looks like it's missing something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Yes the grill has a XK-R Type look to it. Slap to Aston and Jag and thats ok too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 (edited) Looks great, but wasn't this the entire point of Mercury? Why have Mercury when you can use Ford brand without any need for appreciable external changes. And I agree Titanium and greater trim levels spell big trouble for Buick... I would hazard guess that there is far more money to be made with high series Fords in the rest of the world, trying to sell them in the USA woulkd probably run contra to the aspirations of Lincoln but boy, could you imagine it.. Edited September 4, 2013 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonj80 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I could see this being sold here and the lower MKZ (pkg *00, *01) going away when a newer smaller Lincoln is launched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I don't think this is coming to the U.S. It doesn't 'feel' like a good idea here. Fusion Vignale? Really? Not sensing that as a great idea. Nor do I think there's much of a market for a +$40k Fusion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 (edited) I don't think this is coming to the U.S. It doesn't 'feel' like a good idea here. Fusion Vignale? Really? Not sensing that as a great idea. Nor do I think there's much of a market for a +$40k Fusion. A Fusion energi Titanium starts at $40,500, I understand that is a specific case but maybe the precedent to ask more has been made... And ahead of time, I freely admit justifying a $10,000 leap from a regular Titanium to a Vignale level is a huge ask and probably one a lot of buyer would not be prepared to take.....especially hen you have the MKZ sitting there.. What about Vignale as an alternative to Energi hybrid but using say a diesel to help justify the lofty price? Still a huge credibility ask I know... Edited September 4, 2013 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 The ultimate question is why you would do that when there are other, better alternatives, e.g. a brand where you can start at $35k and run up close to $50k. Lincoln makes the Vignale concept an odd proposition for the U.S. because Lincoln has a higher ceiling than a Vignale badged Ford. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transitman Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 The front end looks nice, but it looks like a Buick from the A-pillar back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StLght3 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I agree, i don't think a top tier fusion starting at 50k would do well in the states. However slap a Lincoln badge on it and make it its own model and you might get more sales. Although it doesn't scream Lincoln to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 The front end looks nice, but it looks like a Buick from the A-pillar back. That's the Mondeo 5-door hatchback, the side profile has a slightly lower and more swept rear roof line, not unlike MKZ. There's probably other things you would add to Fusion range before going for even higher trim levels, things like an SHO AWD Ecoboost V6 and maybe a V6 Titanium version as well. Like Richard said before, there's probably better purchase with using Lincoln as a $35,000-$50,000 MKZ although the number of people ordering MKZs well over $40,000 has certainly surprised and delighted Ford. Maybe the Vignale is a longer termed plan to push Lincoln higher and bring Vignale in at say, $35,000? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 I don't see this coming to the US, but I'm sure its going to in rest of the 3/4 of the rest of the world auto market...though it does raise an issue..since this is going to be say a $40K Fusion, what happens when Lincoln starts getting introduced to other parts of the world? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 Looks great, but wasn't this the entire point of Mercury? The original intent of Mercury (Created by none other than Edsel Ford himself) was to slot between the bare bones Fords of the era and the over the top luxury Lincolns of that same era....back then, Fords were no-frills basic transportation units that Henry demanded remain simplistic, Edsel saw the profit potential of added features but Henry would not allow it on his namesake. (Real power struggle between the two)...Lincolns back then were pretty much custom coaches in low volume numbers...Mercury was the needed "step" to bridge the two marques....that all de-evolved in the 70's and 80's until it just became futile to continue with Mercury division....When Alan finally convinced the Ford Family that it was time for Mercury to go...I was surprised to see them actually allow it seeing as Mercury was always seen as "Edsels baby"....proved to me that they were serious about saving the company,,, The ultimate question is why you would do that when there are other, better alternatives, e.g. a brand where you can start at $35k and run up close to $50k. Lincoln makes the Vignale concept an odd proposition for the U.S. because Lincoln has a higher ceiling than a Vignale badged Ford. Here is a thought....in the US Market, Vignale and higher goes to Lincoln...wondering what the MKZ would look like with the Vignale styled grille instead of the horizontal bars mimicking a pair of wings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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