Like them or not, Lincoln is at a point a pivotal junction and the next few years will determine their success, by several goals such as a new design language, a RWD coupe, the Chinese market and more differentiation from Ford to name a few.

With that said, some interesting things are happening so let's capture them here!!

 

Next Lincoln MKS to get 2.9L EcoBoost, nine-speed transmission?

Lincoln is in serious need of some relevant products, and it looks like help is on the way. In addition to the MKC crossover, which we are almost certain to see in production form this auto show season, Ford's luxury arm is also working on the next-gen MKS sedan to go on sale in 2015 for the 2016 model year.

According to Car and Driver, the 2016 Lincoln MKS will go on sale in late 2015, and it will receive notable powertrain enhancements like a nine-speed automatic transmission (a product of the joint venture between Ford and General Motors) and a new 2.9-liter EcoBoost V6 to replace the current base engine, the 3.7-liter V6. Not much is known about this new engine other than it is codenamed "Nano" and it could put out around 300 horsepower; the optional 3.5-liter EcoBoost is said to be receiving a bump in power, too. When it comes to styling, we expect a major departure from the current MKS (shown above), and the Car and Driver article has some renderings of the 2016 MKS.

Renderings/Spy Shots Here:
http://www.caranddriver.com/photo-ga...-rendered-news

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/08/28/n...-transmission/

 

The next-generation MKS had better be an improvement over this one. The 1Gen MKS has turned out to be a major disappointment....just like I predicted it would. Its only improvement over the Town Car, IMO, is the availability of AWD for bad weather....otherwise, IMO, it is simply not a flagship. Almost every car sells here in the D.C. area (we are second only to SoCal in new-car sales)...but, still, I've seen very few new MKSs on the road around here. People are just avoiding them. So are the limo firms that, previously, gave Lincoln so much business.

 

The MKS is simply what the RL is to Acura. Nice and competent enough, but they are not flagships.

The next 3 years will determine whether Lincoln can survive based on what products are out by then. RWD needs to become more of a factor (a coupe is coming), more distinction from parent company, design language is still controversial

 

Unfortunately, as far as the new RLX goes, it is IMO, a major letdown, in several areas, from the former RL, which may (?) have been a little to small for a true flagship, but was built like a cross between a tank and a Swiss Watch.

 

I was always a fan of the 2007 bodystyle RL. Superb fit and finish and assembly. AWD and a strong V6. Great car

 

Lincoln really messed up when they dropped the LS which was a nice RWD sedan that competed against the Jaguar Stype, Lexus GS, 5 Series and E class when it was introduced in 2000. I believe it won Car of the Year for MotorTrend even.

They never upgraded it or has a successor.
Now Lincoln is way too far behind Cadillac and even Buick to compete in this marketplace.

 

Title of thread made me think ..." when was the last time anyone on a forum ( outside a possible lincoln forum ) discussed Lincoln". There isn't much to discuss. I like the way the new MKS looks except the back doesn't blend with the design. There cars are getting better but still behind. SO without HUGE rebates, incentives, and or cash back they will not move many

 

We'll know the outcome in roughly 3 years, as big things are happening including a RWD coupe, MKC crossover and more distinction are coming very soon.

I'm rooting for them

 

I agree, while Buick is managing to better its line up, Lincoln is behind.

 

Actually three threads have cropped up recently including the Infiniti and Lincoln one, so there is big news coming from Lincoln. More distinction, MKC crossover is looking to make a splash, Lincoln is launching in China next year, and a RWD coupe is coming

 

I wonder if the marketing team at Lincoln is wearing earplugs and avoiding the internet.

Why can't they figure out that they need a RWD flagship? It's so frustrating. We keep hoping for something exciting, and then they send us a chromed out Fusion with an anemic engine. Do they not get it?

I love Lincolns, my uncle had a Town Car, a Continental, and a Mark VIII, but they have really got to pull their heads out or they won't survive. It seems they have determined to make Ford and Lincoln follow the same path. It's a great path for Ford, but not for a Luxury marque.

 

Lincoln can't do much until they get the $$$ they need from Ford.

 

I don't really see that as much of an issue. They're getting the cash, but, IMO, just not using it very wisely.

 

The LS was indeed a great idea (and earned very high marks from Consumer Reports for all but reliability). But a critical marketing error was made. Lincoln intended for the LS to compete primarily with the BMW 5-series, and even introduced a 5-speed manual for the V6 model to compete with the 528i. But, sadly, despite calls from the auto-press and some potential customers, a V8/manual version was never developed to compete with the 540i. Lincoln, instead, simply axed the whole car.


I reviewed a new 2Gen Lincoln MKZ not long ago, and, with maybe one or two exceptions, overall, didn't think that it was even up to the level of a 25K Buick Verano, much less a more expensive Buick closer to its own size and price like the LaCrosse. And the Cadillac CTS, IMO (not to mention the substantially cheaper but excellent new Chevy Impala), blows it right off the map.

Ironically, the MKZ's biggest problem may not be the GM cars it competes against, but its own less-expensive Ford Fusion cousin. The new Fusion, unlike the MKZ, is, IMO, a very well done, impressive-driving mid-sized sedan, and, IMO, can go head-to-head with those nice GM cars. It is possibly (?) the best bargain Ford is currently selling in the American market. *

* Hoovey...since you're one of our resident Ford-O-Philes, let's hear your take on that...the Fusion being possibly Ford's best American-market bargain.