Lincoln: Dead Brand Walking, or Signs of Life?

[2b2]

All I'm asking for:

By MY15, the MKZ has

1) A Nano with at least 350HP
2) The "bespoke" program with a full leather dash and perhaps a suede headliner and piano- or carbon-trim
3) The Handling-Package available on the Preferred trim-line

Those would be my three wishes for a perfect MKZ.

And if Lincoln wants me to jump for joy, they figure out a way to let me order the pano-roof together with the rear-sunshade. But hey, that would only be the icing on the cake and optional..

but I want to know more
1. if it's either-or, do you get the shade or panoroof?
2-3. colors, int/ext (please feel free to include Other mfgs' offerings!)
4. which transmission? DCT? 8-speed? Would you maybe like a semi-hybrid, electrically-assisted Virtual-Awd that I keep harping about?
5. any *possible* options you Do or Don't want?

[LincolnFanFl]

but I want to know more
1. if it's either-or, do you get the shade or panoroof?
2-3. colors, int/ext (please feel free to include Other mfgs' offerings!)
4. which transmission? DCT? 8-speed? Would you maybe like a semi-hybrid, electrically-assisted Virtual-Awd that I keep harping about?
5. any *possible* options you Do or Don't want?

1. If either/or, I'll go with the sunshade. The standard-moon roof has its advantages, too.
2.-3. I'd like to see an alternative to the - IMO - boring wood-trims. On a performance-version, a carbon-trim would be great (like on Caddy's ATS). If aiming at luxury and style, BMW's individual piano lacque trim looks awesome. And even wood has lots of different options. Unfortunately, the difference between the wood offered on the MKZ is negligible and probably only visible to pros like us. And give the customer more choices. If you only offer two wood trims and an Aluminum trim, the customer should at least be able to combine those as he/she whishes (right now, Alu is only available on charcoal).

I'd love to see an interior like that:



The darker brown color and piano matches perfectly. An optional leather dash is a must. Just imagine all the plastic replaced with this piano-trim. That would lift the MKZ into a different class and shut up all the critics about a cheap interior. The absolute winner would be a very bright leather with the piano trim. Check this out:

http://www.7post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5306855

Black&White. Clear white. It doesn't get any better than that. Much better than the "puke-beige" offered now.

4. DCT would be nice - but I would be satisfied with a "simple" 8-speed. That should improve response times (incl. 0-60) AND increase MPG. The other mentioned options would be something to think about - perhaps for the mid-facelift?
5. This is where the new Lincoln really shines. There are only a few options I can think of right now that might be "missing" - but I wouldn't call them crucial:

Heads-Up-Display, Night-Vision, Start/Stop Automatic, Rear sunshades in doors for rear passengers, 3- or 4-zone AC, 360 degree top-view camera, power folding mirrors, soft close automatic doors. Perhaps a cleanly integrated Rear entertainment system - NOT the cheesy "I cut an opening in the headrest and tuck it in"-solution Ford/Lincoln is currently offering. It mustn't look aftermarket. I hope I didn't forget anything..

I can't think of any feature I currently don't like.

[Andrew L]

^^ To add to that, heated AND cooled rear seats instead of just heated

[2b2]

Thanks for the Link, LincolnFanFl

2.-3. ...If you only offer two wood trims and an Aluminum trim, the customer should at least be able to combine those as he/she wishes (right now, Alu is only available on charcoal)...
...Just imagine all the plastic replaced with this piano-trim...
...The absolute winner would be a very bright leather with the piano trim...
...Black&White. Clear white. It doesn't get any better than that. Much better than the "puke-beige" offered now.

5. ...Heads-Up-Display, Night-Vision...
...Rear sunshades in doors for rear passengers...
...360 degree top-view camera...
...power folding mirrors...

2-3:
-- easy-swap™ interior trim
-- interior colors: don't see what's so hard to figure out:
black, rich-natural(lt & deep?), white, part-red, part-blue, & maybe/for-me photograyS/silver
note: Lincoln *had* eliminated puke-beige a while back, using practically-white "cashmere"
-- no visible interior plastic, or as little as possible

5.:
- yup
- pet peeve, would also like kevlar ones available
- I haven't experienced the 360º cameras - 'sound' good
more:
-- side mirrors replaced with auto-retractable camera 'winglets'
-- power headrests (pet peeve2) manual ones are too hard to adjust comfortably if you have to move too much to do it
(also like the idea of powered rear headrests that descend/hide when no one is sitting there)

&
you didn't mention paint color - which I also think is, IN GENERAL, no big mystery
(just the precise "tint" requires expertise)
pure non-metallic black, tuxedo black metallic, dk.gray, med.lt.gray, silver, white met.(pearl)(just One), steel blue, rich-deep blue*, rich-deep red*, rich-deep green &or lt."jadefrost", & maybe non-beige-pale-subdued-gold
* sport pkgs can have brighter blue & red, and maybe a copper

[TurboS40]

What about getting rid of the AC/Heating vents for a clean look on the instrument panel? The ducts would be hidden out of the way to bring in cool air or heat.

[2b2]

What about getting rid of the AC/Heating vents for a clean look on the instrument panel? The ducts would be hidden out of the way to bring in cool air or heat.

the VW Phaeton actually had a panel that closed over the vents when not in use
tho
imho just Not "framing" the vents in chrome (like they were modern Art) would be good

[Mercury & Buick Fan]

This may be a little off topic in this thread but I didn't know where else to post.

I was at my local Lincoln/Mercury service department today having routine maintenance performed on my Sable and while I was waiting my former salesmen and I had an interesting conversation about Lincoln and the shape his dealership is in He told me that he didn't think Lincoln would be around but for about another 5 years if that long or after the MKZ and new compact crossover run out their first design cycle he also told me that since the discontinuation of Mercury and the Lincoln Town Car there new car sales have fell by about 75 percent. He also said that the dealership is constantly going to auctions up and down the east coast to try and find low mileage one owner Mercury Milan's, Grand Marquis, Sable's, Mariner's and Lincoln Town Car's because he said as soon as they put any of those particular models on the pre-owned lot for sale they are gone within a weeks time tops. Used car sales and service work are the only thing keeping the dealership going right now. He said they are lucky to sell 1 new Lincoln a week. Now I don't think all Lincoln dealers are in this shape but things I hear like this still make me wonder if Lincoln is indeed going to survive in the long run.

[2b2]

WOW, Mercury & Buick Fan
I hope he was talking as a Friend - cuz that's a terrible way to represent the Brand
(tho I sure empathize with their situation = sucks!)
&but
I pretty strongly disagree
I've been seeing "signs" that a new 'TownCar' is on the way fairly soon
and still believe RWD of some kind as a SURE THING!
+ the ONLY thing that's keeping me from believing Mercury is definitely coming back (2020) as opposed to just KNOWING IT OUGHT TO,
is the assumed duplication between the still-unseen MKC and a Mariner replacement.

Of course, the Lincoln BRAND surviving has nothing to do with a particular DEALER surviving

[SP1966]

I've been seeing "signs" that a new 'TownCar' is on the way fairly soon

What signs have you been seeing?

[wingsnut]

This may be a little off topic in this thread but I didn't know where else to post.

I was at my local Lincoln/Mercury service department today having routine maintenance performed on my Sable and while I was waiting my former salesmen and I had an interesting conversation about Lincoln and the shape his dealership is in He told me that he didn't think Lincoln would be around but for about another 5 years if that long or after the MKZ and new compact crossover run out their first design cycle he also told me that since the discontinuation of Mercury and the Lincoln Town Car there new car sales have fell by about 75 percent. He also said that the dealership is constantly going to auctions up and down the east coast to try and find low mileage one owner Mercury Milan's, Grand Marquis, Sable's, Mariner's and Lincoln Town Car's because he said as soon as they put any of those particular models on the pre-owned lot for sale they are gone within a weeks time tops. Used car sales and service work are the only thing keeping the dealership going right now. He said they are lucky to sell 1 new Lincoln a week. Now I don't think all Lincoln dealers are in this shape but things I hear like this still make me wonder if Lincoln is indeed going to survive in the long run.

Ge whiz, used low price cars of defunct brands sell easier than premium luxury.....who would have thought that.
I suggest finding a new salesman.