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Topic: 'Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln' (Read 1837 times) previous topic - next topic

'Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln'

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124228


Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln

Date posted: 01-09-2008

DEARBORN, Mich. — A Ford Motor Company executive confirmed Tuesday that a rear-wheel-drive platform is under development for future Lincolns, in order to make Ford's luxury marque better able to compete with the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and even its crosstown rival, Cadillac.

Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president in charge of Global Product Development, gave no details about the rear-drive platform, nor what rear-drive vehicles were in the works for Lincoln. But he confirmed to reporters at a Tuesday evening roundtable here that such an architecture is in the works.

Kuzak further said Ford will focus on six-cylinder engines, instead of V8s, for Lincoln. Asked about Ford's V8 plans in light of General Motors' recent announcement that it was ending plans for a new V8 that would have gone into Cadillacs, Kuzak said GM's decision just confirms Ford made the right decision to focus on V6s.

Due to stricter fuel economy standards and general sensitivities to the environment, Ford executives said the newly unveiled EcoBoost engine will be the centerpiece of its powertrain strategy. The EcoBoost, which uses a smaller engine boosted by turbocharging and fueled by injecting gasoline directly into the cylinders, makes its debut in the upcoming 2009 Lincoln MKS front-drive flagship sedan.

Ford said it will fit more than a half-million vehicles annually with the engine over the next five years.

What this means to you: Coming to a showroom near you will be a rear-drive Lincoln, powered by a V6 engine. — Michelle Krebs, Editor, Edmunds' AutoObserver

Considering the link in the CAFE thread about DI turbo I4's and V6's, this could be something special in the way of a Lincoln Sport Sedan. CTS competitor? It sounds like a worthy rivalry, with the Northstar program in the trash. I'll be watching this one.

.:burnout::burnout:.
__

'Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln'

Reply #1 –
A Turbo V6 RWD Lincoln would be VERY VERY hot indeed!

'Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln'

Reply #2 –
LS is RWD.  Why don't they just re-skin it and put all their energy into a RWD Ford Sedan.  Idiots.

'Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln'

Reply #3 –
Quote from: xjeffs;196840
LS is RWD.  Why don't they just re-skin it and put all their energy into a RWD Ford Sedan.  Idiots.


Because the DEW chassis is outdated, and since Jag isn't using it anymore (and Jag isn't Ford anymore) it would make more sense to build something that might actually have a chance of competing with the 3 series/CTS/C class. The LS was good, when it was new, which was back in '99.

'Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln'

Reply #4 –
Quote from: oldraven;196861
Because the DEW chassis is outdated, and since Jag isn't using it anymore (and Jag isn't Ford anymore) it would make more sense to build something that might actually have a chance of competing with the 3 series/CTS/C class. The LS was good, when it was new, which was back in '99.


Please explain to me what made the DEW outdated and incapable of competing with the 3 series/CTS/C class.

'Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln'

Reply #5 –
Quote from: oldraven;196861
(and Jag isn't Ford anymore)

Then why do they still list them on their website? Aston martin was the only one sold to my knowledge.
http://www.ford.com/

I like this idea of a turbo 6 rwd combination anyway i think its cool that ford may be embracing turbo again.

The fact that they are talking about a turbo 6 rekindles hope that this \/

May actually become a reality a tt 3.0 Lincoln MKr

'Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln'

Reply #7 –
Quote
Taurus mule is fitted with an EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 3.5L engine


A few months back i heard that ford may be bringing the SHO back and this was the powertrain that they were thinking about using.

'Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln'

Reply #8 –
Quote from: stuntmannick;196865
Please explain to me what made the DEW outdated and incapable of competing with the 3 series/CTS/C class.

Because it's nine years old, and showing its age. Ford knows this, which is why the Fusion, Zephyr, and Mustang were not built on DEW, as originally planned. And it's a joint venture with a company that Ford no longer has any association with. Ford tried selling it as Sport Sedan, but no one bought it as one. Everybody here loved the LS for its manual, but hardly any manuals were sold, so they cut it. The V6 was cut out in the end too, making it just another heavy RWD V8 Lincoln. If you wanted the power, you got a slushbox, and if you wanted the stick, you got around 200hp to play with in a car over 3600lbs.

If you need more, read this article where, even back in 2002 when it was relatively new, it took last place in a seven car comparison. Remember, it was originally intended as a five series competitor, but couldn't even come close to the three series.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/13153/2002-lincoln-ls.html

First Place: 2002 BMW 330i
Second Place: 2002 Audi A4 3.0 Quattro
Third Place: 2002 Lexus IS300
Fourth Place: 2002 Cadillac CTS
Fifth Place: 2002 Jaguar X-type 3.0
Sixth Place: 2002 Saab 9-3 Viggen
Seventh Place: 2002 Lincoln LS

All of these cars have been updated extensively since 2002, and flogging a dead horse in this segment is bound for failure.

*edit*
Jaguar will most likely be Indian owned within a month or two. The company is up for sale, and it will sell, unlike Volvo. Of the Premier Auto Group, Volvo is the only one Ford will have in its stables, including Land Rover.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124151

'Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln'

Reply #9 –
I had high hopes for the LS when it came out, but my impression of them quickly faded after a back to back test drive.
A good friend of mine has a ’99 BMW 528i that he purchased new and when it was time for its first scheduled maintenance I went with him to drop the car off. The dealership is also a Lincoln dealer and for a loaner we had our choice of another 528 or a Lincoln LS. We were both curious about the LS so we chose the Lincoln.
The LS had only 8k miles on it, and it was noticeably noisier, slower, and just felt harsh compared to the 528. On paper it appeared to me that Lincoln’s intention with the LS was directly aimed at the 5 series BMW, but I would have to say that based on the car I drove, it didn’t even come close.
My friends 528 now has about 125k miles on it and it is amazing how close to new the car still drives and feels.

I sure hope that Lincoln does better this time around.

Brent
:cougarsmily:
1985 Mercury Cougar XR-7 - 5-speed 
One of 1,246 built

'Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln'

Reply #10 –
Quote from: oldraven;196861
Because the DEW chassis is outdated, and since Jag isn't using it anymore (and Jag isn't Ford anymore) it would make more sense to build something that might actually have a chance of competing with the 3 series/CTS/C class. The LS was good, when it was new, which was back in '99.

You know what's worse than an outdated chassis?  No chassis, as in the Ford RWD sport sedan.  And how is it outdated?

The Ford sedan would be higher volume with only the G8, and Mopars as competition.  No Toyota, no Honda.  The Lincoln as you can see is in a heavily competitive market that doesn't include the new Hyundai RWD V8 yet.

'Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln'

Reply #11 –
Quote from: oldraven;196895
Because it's nine years old, and showing its age. Ford knows this, which is why the Fusion, Zephyr, and Mustang were not built on DEW, as originally planned. And it's a joint venture with a company that Ford no longer has any association with. Ford tried selling it as Sport Sedan, but no one bought it as one. Everybody here loved the LS for its manual, but hardly any manuals were sold, so they cut it. The V6 was cut out in the end too, making it just another heavy RWD V8 Lincoln. If you wanted the power, you got a slushbox, and if you wanted the stick, you got around 200hp to play with in a car over 3600lbs.

If you need more, read this article where, even back in 2002 when it was relatively new, it took last place in a seven car comparison. Remember, it was originally intended as a five series competitor, but couldn't even come close to the three series.

http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/13153/2002-lincoln-ls.html

First Place: 2002 BMW 330i
Second Place: 2002 Audi A4 3.0 Quattro
Third Place: 2002 Lexus IS300
Fourth Place: 2002 Cadillac CTS
Fifth Place: 2002 Jaguar X-type 3.0
Sixth Place: 2002 Saab 9-3 Viggen
Seventh Place: 2002 Lincoln LS

All of these cars have been updated extensively since 2002, and flogging a dead horse in this segment is bound for failure.

*edit*
Jaguar will most likely be Indian owned within a month or two. The company is up for sale, and it will sell, unlike Volvo. Of the Premier Auto Group, Volvo is the only one Ford will have in its stables, including Land Rover.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124151


LS beat the G35 Sedan?  Maybe they only tested it as a coupe.  If that's the case it is theoretically in eighth place.

'Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln'

Reply #12 –
Quote from: xjeffs;196905
LS beat the G35 Sedan?  Maybe they only tested it as a coupe.  If that's the case it is theoretically in eighth place.

Those were both 2003 models. Would you put an '06 LS up against a new G37? Only if you're addicted to pain. The new one beat the 330i!!!, in a Car & Driver test!!! I thought I'd opened a magazine from another plane of existence, when C&D failed a Bimmer.

The fact still remains, the DEW platform is nearly a decade old, and that will NOT fly in RWD Luxury segments. And, of course, a chassis borne of a partnership that no longer exists. You don't see GM designing any cars on Suzuki platforms anymore, and you'll never see a Saabaru again. When the current LX cars are dead, you won't see Chrysler updating the chassis. Joint ventures need the second party.

Ford doesn't really need a RWD chassis for their full-size sedans, as the prospect of AWD is more appealing to buyers, even if it's on a FWD chassis. Even still, if Ford is designing a new RWD chassis, you can bet they'll use it in as many models as they can get away with. So there's a good chance this will end up under some Fords and Mercury's anyway.
 

'Ford Developing Rear Drive for Lincoln'

Reply #13 –
Quote from: oldraven;196895
*edit*
Jaguar will most likely be Indian owned within a month or two. The company is up for sale, and it will sell, unlike Volvo. Of the Premier Auto Group, Volvo is the only one Ford will have in its stables, including Land Rover.

Well thats sad because the only 3 volvo's i like are the Xc90, the S60,C30. While looking at images to ident the c30 i found an article stating that BMW may have a vested intrest in Volvo. Land rover has never made anything appealing to me except maybe the Escape copy.