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MN12Fan · 07-27-2008, 05:37 PM

The lineup's too big. Even at half that size it would be too big. Per the recent information coming out of Ford, Mercury should focus on smaller near luxury and/or sporty cars while Lincoln should focus on larger luxury sedans, crossovers, and SUVs. Lincoln's lineup is already shaping up this way but Mercury's is not yet and can use some change. Either division's lineup does not need to be very large in order to be distinctive and successful. In fact, I would bet that having less cars would makes things more simple and reduce overlap. That said, this is how I would want to see Lincoln/Mercury in the early half of the next decade:

Lincoln:

MKZ: FWD/AWD entry level Lincoln sedan. Platform mate to Fusion, Milan, etc. Standard DI Duratec 37/6-speed auto with provision for sportier models.

MKX: FWD/AWD entry level Lincoln crossover/SUV. Platform mate to Edge, etc. Standard DI Duratec 37/6-speed auto with provision for sportier models.

MKS: Ideally RWD/AWD large Lincoln sedan. GRWD platform. Standard DI Duratec 37/6-speed auto with optional EcoBoost V6 and/or DI 5.0L DOHC V8.

MKT: FWD/AWD large Lincoln crossover. Platform mate to Flex. Standard DI Duratec 37/6-speed auto with optional EcoBoost V6.

MKR: RWD/AWD Lincoln four-door sport coupe. Spiritual successor to Mark VIII. GRWD platform. Standard EcoBoost V6/6-speed manumatic.

Navigator: RWD/AWD large Lincoln SUV. Platform mate to Expedition. Standard 6.2L Boss V8/6-speed auto with optional 4.4L Diesel V8.

Continental: RWD/AWD Lincoln flagship sedan. Standard DI 5.0L DOHC V8/6-speed auto.

Mercury:

Capri: FWD/AWD entry level Mercury sedan and coupe. Platform mate to Global Focus. Powertrain lineup resembles Focus.

Milan: FWD/AWD midsize Mercury sedan. Platform mate to Fusion, MKZ, etc. Powertrain lineup resembles Fusion.

Mariner: FWD/AWD entry level Mercury SUV. Platform mate to Escape. Powertrain lineup resembles Escape.

Mountaineer: FWD/AWD midsize Mercury crossover. Real life version of Mercury Meta One concept. Platform mate to Flex. Powertrain lineup resembles Flex with provision for sportier models.

Cougar: FWD/AWD midsize Mercury coupe. Spiritual successor to '99-'02 Cougar. Essentially a coupe version of the Milan in content but with a much sportier, more athletic appearance. Powertrain lineup resembles Milan with provision for sportier models (XR7).

Cyclone: RWD Mercury two-seat roadster. Platform mate to Mazda MX-5 Miata (if possible) or future GRWD Thunderbird. Standard DI Duratec 37/6-speed auto or manual.

07-27-2008, 05:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
MN12Fan 6.2 Liter LS3 V8 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Clovis, California Drives: 1994 Thunderbird, 2010 Camaro (from time to time) Posts: 3,446	Re: New Ultimate Mercury/Lincoln Lineup! The lineup's too big. Even at half that size it would be too big. Per the recent information coming out of Ford, Mercury should focus on smaller near luxury and/or sporty cars while Lincoln should focus on larger luxury sedans, crossovers, and SUVs. Lincoln's lineup is already shaping up this way but Mercury's is not yet and can use some change. Either division's lineup does not need to be very large in order to be distinctive and successful. In fact, I would bet that having less cars would makes things more simple and reduce overlap. That said, this is how I would want to see Lincoln/Mercury in the early half of the next decade: Lincoln: MKZ: FWD/AWD entry level Lincoln sedan. Platform mate to Fusion, Milan, etc. Standard DI Duratec 37/6-speed auto with provision for sportier models. MKX: FWD/AWD entry level Lincoln crossover/SUV. Platform mate to Edge, etc. Standard DI Duratec 37/6-speed auto with provision for sportier models. MKS: Ideally RWD/AWD large Lincoln sedan. GRWD platform. Standard DI Duratec 37/6-speed auto with optional EcoBoost V6 and/or DI 5.0L DOHC V8. MKT: FWD/AWD large Lincoln crossover. Platform mate to Flex. Standard DI Duratec 37/6-speed auto with optional EcoBoost V6. MKR: RWD/AWD Lincoln four-door sport coupe. Spiritual successor to Mark VIII. GRWD platform. Standard EcoBoost V6/6-speed manumatic. Navigator: RWD/AWD large Lincoln SUV. Platform mate to Expedition. Standard 6.2L Boss V8/6-speed auto with optional 4.4L Diesel V8. Continental: RWD/AWD Lincoln flagship sedan. Standard DI 5.0L DOHC V8/6-speed auto. Mercury: Capri: FWD/AWD entry level Mercury sedan and coupe. Platform mate to Global Focus. Powertrain lineup resembles Focus. Milan: FWD/AWD midsize Mercury sedan. Platform mate to Fusion, MKZ, etc. Powertrain lineup resembles Fusion. Mariner: FWD/AWD entry level Mercury SUV. Platform mate to Escape. Powertrain lineup resembles Escape. Mountaineer: FWD/AWD midsize Mercury crossover. Real life version of Mercury Meta One concept. Platform mate to Flex. Powertrain lineup resembles Flex with provision for sportier models. Cougar: FWD/AWD midsize Mercury coupe. Spiritual successor to '99-'02 Cougar. Essentially a coupe version of the Milan in content but with a much sportier, more athletic appearance. Powertrain lineup resembles Milan with provision for sportier models (XR7). Cyclone: RWD Mercury two-seat roadster. Platform mate to Mazda MX-5 Miata (if possible) or future GRWD Thunderbird. Standard DI Duratec 37/6-speed auto or manual.