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Suicide Doors on Future Lincoln Continental

50K views 185 replies 29 participants last post by  germeezy1  
#1 ·
According to this article, and a few others coming out, Lincoln just had a dealer meeting where they internally revealed plans on putting in suicide doors on a future Continental (as well as more new models after 2020). Hopefully this new throwback feature comes on a future RWD Continental with longer and better proportions, instead of tacking it on the current one. Would be cool on the current one, but will seem overly desperate. Either way, I almost feel like this was leaked out on purpose. Great way to get the attention away from the (hopefully) fake recent articles claiming that Lincoln wants to discontinue the Continental again.

What do you guys think?

http://www.autonews.com/article/201...329751/lincoln-plans-suicide-doors-on-the-continental-sedan?X-IgnoreUserAgent=1
 
#4 ·
You can’t just add them on to the current model and call it a day. It’s not engineered to do that. This would be a next gen model.
 
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#5 · (Edited)
:thumb: for the articles @AllenLincoln93

quite a few imhos
-- the Z-replacement could be a Rwd-cD6 MARK (already in final development)
-- which would allow the Conti to continue as long as they like
-- then to be replaced by a new Conti - which could get the opera doors
...Still want to hear about a 3-series-sized STARstang sportsedan, half electrifried
...even more than about the 5 (FIVE) un-named Lincoln cuvs after the Aviator
EDIT:
-- would a surfboard battery strengthen the structure enough for the opera doors?
 
#12 ·
I think the new Z will be the C-Class competitor with sedan and coupe/convertible. The current Continental gets replaced and on it's new platform with 'coach doors' and then the 'new large sedan' that Lincoln talked about last year, which should be the new flagship, should have the 'coach doors' as well. But by then both the big sedans should be electric. But the new large sedan is just one of the 4 new models coming to Lincoln. My guess is something Focus/Maverick based, a small CUV and sedan.
 
#6 ·
This was reported a while back over on BON.

Lincoln has been itching for a proper Continental for many decades. This is really the only solution that will bring much-needed excitement to the brand. It will also showcase the uniqueness of the brand and that it has some point to its existence. A German-inspired sedan or even a Mustang-based grand tourer could not achieve that. Nobody cares about brand X's reinterpretation of a BMW sedan anymore. I think Ford understands Lincoln cannot survive in a cutthroat market building dull, uninspired vehicles.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Since this was teased to the dealers at their dealer show, this is real, how great! It’s just odd as for when...the current design of the rear door can’t be adapted to a rear opening based on how Ford did it for the original Continentals and Thunderbird four doors of the 60’s. Back then the rear doors didn’t cut into around the rear wheel well, and instead were straight on the rear most cut. Even Rolls Royce follows this for their rear doors today. So, logically thinking it must be for the next generation Continental, which normally wouldn’t be until 2022 at least. But to tease the dealers this early doesnt make sense...

But...hold on here, this gets interesting...according to a Facebook page “everything Lincoln” news of this broke a week back of “plans to build a limited edition (500 units) Continental L Black Label with rear suicide doors to honor the Continental history, special order only” hmmm...2019 is the 70th anniversary of the Continental, can this be true, would Lincoln really do this?!
 
#13 ·
I find it very hard to believe that they'd go through all of that engineering just for a limited run like that. I think it's a next gen model that is coming, and perhaps with the current model only lasting a few years with the widespread changeover to CD6 pretty much across the lineup.
 
#11 ·
#16 ·
^ the long Volvo already existed in China (iirc)

I really don't know WHAT to think about this

JOINED** :thumb:

I think the new Z will be the C-Class competitor with sedan and coupe/convertible. The current Continental gets replaced and on it's new platform with 'coach doors' and then the 'new large sedan' that Lincoln talked about last year, which should be the new flagship, should have the 'coach doors' as well. But by then both the big sedans should be electric. But the new large sedan is just one of the 4 new models coming to Lincoln. My guess is something Focus/Maverick based, a small CUV and sedan.
I know ;) **

I find it very hard to believe that they'd go through all of that engineering just for a limited run like that. I think it's a next gen model that is coming, and perhaps with the current model only lasting a few years with the widespread changeover to CD6 pretty much across the lineup.
** the admin, Sherrie also expressed the opinion that a v8 belongs in a LtdEd. ...
I'm thinking a v8 ought to be no harder than certification for retro-fitted and stretched? operadoors :surprise2:
&
I can't imagine anything More extreme engineering-wise...THO
could definitely make a wish-List of OTHER 'extremities' :nerd: ...easier ones!!
 
#14 · (Edited)
It is gimmicky but would be something to talk about which is what Lincoln tends to thrive on. I would love to see Continental moved more toward the HIGH luxury end of the spectrum, extremely expensive and exclusive. Right now the Continental has way too much pricing spectrum from bottom to top and your top suffers from the bottom, especially in the case of Continental which can look like a 90's Buick without the finer details, wheels and colors. I see WAY too many cheap Continentals in Gold driven by the elderly parked in blue space and I suspect this is what most people see when they spot the Continental in the real world. They have to sacrificed some sales to get rid of that image.
 
#15 ·
I can see them releasing a small batch of limited edition Anniversary Continentals with an exclusive Black Label theme just for the special edition versions, but I can't see them investing in a longer wheelbase and suicide doors JUST for a limited run anniversary model....

I personally think Lincoln needs to pull a Volvo, and release a Continental-L ASAP. Volvo switched over to a longer wheelbase in the US for the new S90 after just one model year. I'd personally wanna see them make the LWB model exclusive to the Reserve and Black Label trim, to further separate it from the more bargain basement looking models.
 
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#20 ·
I personally think Lincoln needs to pull a Volvo, and release a Continental-L ASAP. Volvo switched over to a longer wheelbase in the US for the new S90 after just one model year. I'd personally wanna see them make the LWB model exclusive to the Reserve and Black Label trim, to further separate it from the more bargain basement looking models.
There simply should not be ANY Lincoln built with anything less than what's now the Reserve Trim, and even that should be better equipped. Anybody who wants a cheaper Lincoln should be directed to the Ford Titanium & Platinum models, and told how they can get an almost-a-Lincoln Ford or get the real deal. That's the only way to start breaking the "it's the same car" perception. People used to "move up" to a Cadillac or Lincoln. Now, at least in Lincoln's case, it's more a sideways shuffle. And not always in the right direction. We replaced our MKC with an Edge (titanium) instead of an MKX because the only advantage to the MKX was an extra year of warranty.
 
#24 ·
Wow. I can't believe my eyes. Where are the "sedans are dead" posters? Where are the "SUVs rule" posters? Where are the "why bother investing in dying segments" posters?

This is what I have been advocating all along. Sedans & coupes, serious luxury, beautiful proportions (impossible with FWD bias), elegant design (Lincoln has gotten serious with interiors, now it's time for body designers to get busy.) and DIFFERENTIATION.

Has everybody at Ford/Lincoln suddenly seen the light?
 
#34 ·
It needs a B-pillar for crash tests. You used an example of a tiny b-segment vehicle as proof they could do it on a giant sedan. A b-pillarless model won't happen, but that doesn't mean suicide doors won't.

I totally get your logic, it does sound odd they would produce an extended L with unique rear doors. But consider the rumors...the NADA show is for dealers, usually the manufacturers don't tease their dealers with products too far out, and according to what we heard, Lincoln showed a pic of a suicide door Continental. The current Continental is in its second year, with at least 4 more to go. Would Lincoln kill the current model before that, and replace it? They haven't done things like that before...even the MKT, their only 3 row CUV, desperately needed a redo and they left that alone while the market of such vehicles expanded around them.

The FB rumor of them releasing a new limited edition L with suicide doors, to honor the Continental's 80 year heritage, does allow them to
-finally produce a limo rear seat package similar to the concept with wow factor and also expand the appeal in China. Imagine 30 way REAR seats! Champagne chiller!
-create a stir in the press that the Continental isn't dead and in fact it just became more opulent and unique with those heritage rear doors!
-create a $$$ limited edition model with real exclusively.

While expensive to create, it might be not be built in house and instead it might be contracted out for its limited run. Think of the cost vs image value of doing such a model, it might be worth the rewards it might bring to their brand image.

While others (ie: Lexus) have used limited edition sports cars to raise their status, maybe Lincoln is thinking a really opulent Continental that connects the brand to its iconic 1960's era might be worth it!

I HOPE this weeks NY Auto Show will reveal some news on this...
As I've said before, I could see them switching over to CD6 on a short lifecycle of the current model so they can reconfigure FRAP sooner than later.
 
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#27 ·
I sure don't see the need for a longer wheelbase on the current platform. The rear seat area is extremely roomy as it is and stretching the wheelbase more would have the potential of making the structure weaker as well as heavier. The car is already too heavy and it cannot afford to lose any rigidity.

I do not think for a second that the current platform will see suicide doors. That would take a substantial revamp of the structure. NO WAY they would do it for only 500 vehicles. Hopefully, there will be a new Continental on the CD6 platform with RWD, a longer wheelbase and suicide doors. But NEVER on the current platform.
 
#31 ·
I totally get your logic, it does sound odd they would produce an extended L with unique rear doors. But consider the rumors...the NADA show is for dealers, usually the manufacturers don't tease their dealers with products too far out, and according to what we heard, Lincoln showed a pic of a suicide door Continental. The current Continental is in its second year, with at least 4 more to go. Would Lincoln kill the current model before that, and replace it? They haven't done things like that before...even the MKT, their only 3 row CUV, desperately needed a redo and they left that alone while the market of such vehicles expanded around them.

The FB rumor of them releasing a new limited edition L with suicide doors, to honor the Continental's 80 year heritage, does allow them to
-finally produce a limo rear seat package similar to the concept with wow factor and also expand the appeal in China. Imagine 30 way REAR seats! Champagne chiller!
-create a stir in the press that the Continental isn't dead and in fact it just became more opulent and unique with those heritage rear doors!
-create a $$$ limited edition model with real exclusively.

While expensive to create, it might be not be built in house and instead it might be contracted out for its limited run. Think of the cost vs image value of doing such a model, it might be worth the rewards it might bring to their brand image.

While others (ie: Lexus) have used limited edition sports cars to raise their status, maybe Lincoln is thinking a really opulent Continental that connects the brand to its iconic 1960's era might be worth it!

I HOPE this weeks NY Auto Show will reveal some news on this...
 
#28 ·
If they considered it at first, and engineered the structure for them (then considered it too costly for production), then maybe a run of 500 would be feasable on this platform.
 
#33 ·
It's still a non-trivial matter to re-eingineer an existing car for Suicide Doors...unless it was engineered from the beginning that way which might help to explain the door handle placement which makes it more configurable (although the concept didn't show off suicide doors which would have been a very concept-car thing to do). It might come with an extended length model that would appeal specifically to the Chinese and Livery market. It could come with an MCE of the Continental, I don't think a Continental replacement is near since they need to get at least 6-8 years out of this car before they sink another Billion into the next car. But hey, if they want to throw money away, I'm all for a quick turnaround on a NG Conti.

But the problem with sedan sales is that they are moving to very specific customers so you want to really appeal not to volume but to prestige and wealth which is a tempting formula for Lincoln and something I think they can do well once they get their engineering chops in place.
 
#35 ·
I agree, they cant just reverse the door opening design. In the past and even now for Rolls Royce, the rear door cut line is straight and not ellipsed around the rear wheel well, to allow the door hinges to be spread out with the needed support. So if this happens, expect a heavily revised rear quarter panel, with a new quarter glass to fill in the area where the current door opens at the far end, plus an all new rear door. It all sounds very unlikely for the current model, but who knows, they may just do it! Lincoln needs a bold move like this, as long as the execution is done right!
 
#37 ·
I expect they would have to have retain a B-pillar, modified as well.
With the exception of the 1957-58 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham, no post war car ever eliminated the B-Pillar...even the 1960's Continental sedans used a center post connecting to the roof (convertibles excluding of course!)
I wonder if any mention of this supposed coach door Continental was mentioned at the employee preview recently....(insert hints here!)
 
#38 ·
Spudz64, I like how you called them "heritage rear doors". Probably too "old" sounding, but I love it.

I think these kinds of doors will be very important for the brand. Those doors are as iconic as the Continental name. And I think they'll look stunning with the current Continental's chrome belt line door handles.

Speaking of, would you guys like to see these types of door handles on other Lincoln models? Would it even work with higher belt lines cars, like SUVS and cross overs? I personally wouldn't mind if this was a sedan feature (I'd LOVE it on my MKZ), and Lincoln developed another unique type of door handle for their crossovers.
 
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#46 ·
Speaking of, would you guys like to see these types of door handles on other Lincoln models? Would it even work with higher belt lines cars, like SUVS and cross overs? I personally wouldn't mind if this was a sedan feature (I'd LOVE it on my MKZ), and Lincoln developed another unique type of door handle for their crossovers.
I think the crossovers/SUVs get too high for the beltline handles, unless beltlines lower again.

But yes, I'd see it being on all sedans going forward.
 
#40 ·
fwiw = one 3rd party quote and...

Ford’s Lincoln Looks to SUVs...
Bloomberg
- Keith Naughton - March 26, 2018


...forecaster LMC Automotive (NO relationship) predicts Lincoln’s cars will dwindle to just 7.8 percent of its U.S. sales by 2021, signaling a possible end of the road for the Continental and Lincoln’s other slow selling sedan, the MKZ.

“It’s a complete pullback on the car side,” said Jeff Schuster, LMC's senior vice president of forecasting. “Lincoln will essentially become an SUV brand.”...

...Farley said. “We have two new utilities coming in the next couple years and we’re going to learn a lot through those launches. You know, we’re always adjusting our product lineup.”...
...“You’re going to see a more opinionated Lincoln,” Farley said. “It’s just a confidence we feel that we have found our place.”

Increasingly that place is China, where Ford expects Lincoln will eventually sell more models than in the U.S. The Chinese seem to love brash American style more than Americans and have been snapping up Cadillacs and Lincolns, which saw sales soar 66 percent there last year. Ford, which introduced Lincoln in the country three years ago, is rapidly rolling out high-touch dealerships and expects to have 125 there by year’s end...

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