Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ

Achelous · 02-07-2006, 06:14 AM

Lincoln's Zephyr sedan will get one of the quickest face-lifts in automotive history this week when Ford's luxury brand renames the midsize sedan and unveils a restyled and more powerful model less than six months after the car went on sale.

The car's badge will say MKZ but Lincoln wants it called "Mark Z." The sedan formerly known as the Zephyr will feature a number of changes for the 2007 model year, including a 3.5-liter V6 engine to replace the underpowered 221-horsepower, 3.0-liter engine the car debuted with last fall. Ford hasn't revealed the engine's output, but it is expected to produce about 250 horsepower when it goes on sale this fall.

"It's an absurd waste of money" to change the car's name and appearance so quickly after launching it, said Joe Phillippi, principal of AutoTrends Consulting, Short Hills, N.J. "These things take a long time planning. They could have done it when they introduced the car."

In addition to the new name and engine, the 2007 MKZ is to get optional all-wheel drive, mild styling changes and new interior trim and features to differentiate it from the Zephyr.

Phillippi said the more powerful engine and all-wheel drive should help set the Lincoln apart from the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans with which it shares most of its parts.

"If you're going to call a car premium, you'd better have something to distinguish it," he said.

The exterior changes include new optional 17-inch wheels and a restyled grille and front bumper. Lincoln will add a new interior package with satin-nickel trim in addition to wood trim carried over from the Zephyr.

The MKZ will also offer some new features, including Sirius satellite radio, an iPod jack and Bluetooth compatibility for hands-free cell phones.

The Zephyr sold reasonably well in its brief life. Lincoln dealers delivered 4,895 Zephyrs, and the car reportedly drew a new, younger set of buyers to showrooms.

More.. http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...602070414/1014

5 watt · 02-07-2006, 06:24 AM

Some times it scars me that management/ markiting types think a name sells a car.

pkd87 · 02-07-2006, 07:24 AM

Ok... Why in the world didn't they do this when the first launched the vehicle? I think someone should get fired here.

Quickening · 02-07-2006, 07:33 AM

Lol good move Lincoln

Way to confuse the consumers..

**nsap** · 02-07-2006, 07:39 AM

Glad to see the added options, but the name change is going to confuse consumers and sounds dumb. MKZ...ugh.

Perian · 02-07-2006, 07:45 AM

Millions upon million in advertising is now worthless.

How cool is that?

**nadepalma** · 02-07-2006, 07:46 AM

I would have at least thought they'd wait to rename the Zephyr until they gave it an extensive refresh or something. Instead we now have a new engine and a slightly different front fascia -- and that justifies a name change?

GM did more of a facelift when the Saab 900 became the 9-3 back in the late 90's to coincide with the launch of the 9-5. This by comparison is almost comical!

But if that's what they want...so be it.

jbartley · 02-07-2006, 08:01 AM

WHY GOD? err i mean FORD

WHYYYYYYY!

Jay · 02-07-2006, 08:15 AM

Is the same guy who ran GM in the 80's running Ford today or something?! I mean this is as bad as when GM produced 5 different versions of the J-car and then kept renaming them all!

**Rex Raider** · 02-07-2006, 08:15 AM

If they want people calling it the Mark-Z, then why don't they call it the Mark-Z?

CADILLACSIXTEEN · 02-07-2006, 08:16 AM

of course they had to give it a 3 letter name... where did we see that before. Cant they every be original?

1G6 · 02-07-2006, 08:19 AM

Ridiculous.

sigma · 02-07-2006, 08:29 AM

Expect another Acura lawsuit. Why dump a name like Zephyr which is different, for 3 letters which make NO SENSE. AARRGGHH.

Lincoln execs need to be fired.

boblutzfan · 02-07-2006, 08:34 AM

This is crazy. I'm sure all the current owners will be thrilled about the resale value of their now outdated and renamed car. Ford is crazy.

69Firebird400 · 02-07-2006, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sigma

Expect another Acura lawsuit. Why dump a name like Zephyr which is different, for 3 letters which make NO SENSE. AARRGGHH.

Lincoln execs need to be fired.

Zephyr is a cool name, but I think it's at least as tainted by past Ford products as Aspen was for DaimlerChrysler. Does anyone remember the gem that was the Mercury Zephyr (twin to the Ford Fairmont)?

Could there possibly be a more lame, bland car? I still think this name change is a terrible idea, though. I wonder what the Ford lovers think about this?

02-07-2006, 06:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
Achelous 2.0 Liter Supercharged ECOTEC Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: San Diego, California Drives: 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix Posts: 186	Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ Lincoln's Zephyr sedan will get one of the quickest face-lifts in automotive history this week when Ford's luxury brand renames the midsize sedan and unveils a restyled and more powerful model less than six months after the car went on sale. The car's badge will say MKZ but Lincoln wants it called "Mark Z." The sedan formerly known as the Zephyr will feature a number of changes for the 2007 model year, including a 3.5-liter V6 engine to replace the underpowered 221-horsepower, 3.0-liter engine the car debuted with last fall. Ford hasn't revealed the engine's output, but it is expected to produce about 250 horsepower when it goes on sale this fall. "It's an absurd waste of money" to change the car's name and appearance so quickly after launching it, said Joe Phillippi, principal of AutoTrends Consulting, Short Hills, N.J. "These things take a long time planning. They could have done it when they introduced the car." In addition to the new name and engine, the 2007 MKZ is to get optional all-wheel drive, mild styling changes and new interior trim and features to differentiate it from the Zephyr. Phillippi said the more powerful engine and all-wheel drive should help set the Lincoln apart from the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans with which it shares most of its parts. "If you're going to call a car premium, you'd better have something to distinguish it," he said. The exterior changes include new optional 17-inch wheels and a restyled grille and front bumper. Lincoln will add a new interior package with satin-nickel trim in addition to wood trim carried over from the Zephyr. The MKZ will also offer some new features, including Sirius satellite radio, an iPod jack and Bluetooth compatibility for hands-free cell phones. The Zephyr sold reasonably well in its brief life. Lincoln dealers delivered 4,895 Zephyrs, and the car reportedly drew a new, younger set of buyers to showrooms. More.. http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a...602070414/1014 __________________ 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 3800 Power. Last edited by nsap : 02-07-2006 at 07:38 AM.

02-07-2006, 06:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
5 watt 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 374	Re: Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ Some times it scars me that management/ markiting types think a name sells a car.

02-07-2006, 07:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
pkd87 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,407	Re: Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ Ok... Why in the world didn't they do this when the first launched the vehicle? I think someone should get fired here. __________________ "In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress."- John Adams

02-07-2006, 07:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
Quickening 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: San Antonio, Texas Drives: 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero Posts: 5,135	Re: Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ Lol good move Lincoln Way to confuse the consumers.. __________________ 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero

02-07-2006, 07:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
nsap Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Drives: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP 2009 Ford Focus SEL Posts: 15,016	Re: Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ Glad to see the added options, but the name change is going to confuse consumers and sounds dumb. MKZ...ugh. __________________ E-Mail Me Engine Guide Updated!! -- Revised layout, more info., up-to-date

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02-07-2006, 07:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
Perian News Contributor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York Drives: 2008 Saab 9-5 Sedan Posts: 4,066	Re: Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ Millions upon million in advertising is now worthless. How cool is that?

02-07-2006, 07:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
nadepalma GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 5,630	Re: Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ I would have at least thought they'd wait to rename the Zephyr until they gave it an extensive refresh or something. Instead we now have a new engine and a slightly different front fascia -- and that justifies a name change? GM did more of a facelift when the Saab 900 became the 9-3 back in the late 90's to coincide with the launch of the 9-5. This by comparison is almost comical! But if that's what they want...so be it. __________________ Email: nadepalma@gminsidenews.com "La vita è come un albero di Natale..c'è sempre qualcuno che ti rompe le palle!" "You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves" -Abraham Lincoln "Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those others that have been tried" -Winston Churchill "In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a Congress" -John Adams

02-07-2006, 08:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
jbartley 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: UF & JAX Posts: 1,913	Re: Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ WHY GOD? err i mean FORD WHYYYYYYY!

02-07-2006, 08:15 AM	#9 (permalink)
Jay 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ottawa, Canada Drives: '95 Saturn coupe Posts: 430	Re: Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ Is the same guy who ran GM in the 80's running Ford today or something?! I mean this is as bad as when GM produced 5 different versions of the J-car and then kept renaming them all! __________________ 1995 Saturn Coupe

02-07-2006, 08:15 AM	#10 (permalink)
Rex Raider Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Drives: 2009 Camry Hybrid (company car) Posts: 11,787	Re: Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ If they want people calling it the Mark-Z, then why don't they call it the Mark-Z? __________________ Sure, I drive a Toyota, but at least I don't have to pay for it.

02-07-2006, 08:16 AM	#11 (permalink)
CADILLACSIXTEEN 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jul 2005 Drives: 2006 Fusion Orange Metallic Pontiac G6 GTP Coupe Posts: 1,399	Re: Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ of course they had to give it a 3 letter name... where did we see that before. Cant they every be original? __________________

02-07-2006, 08:19 AM	#12 (permalink)
1G6 3.6 Liter V6 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,171	Re: Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ Ridiculous. __________________ 1976 Fleetwood Brougham 1979 Sedan deVille 1986 Electra Estate Wagon 2008 Lucerne

02-07-2006, 08:29 AM	#13 (permalink)
sigma 6.2 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: In the Galactica CIC Drives: 2005 Chevy Malibu Posts: 2,526	Re: Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ Expect another Acura lawsuit. Why dump a name like Zephyr which is different, for 3 letters which make NO SENSE. AARRGGHH. Lincoln execs need to be fired. __________________ "The best committee is the committee of one" -Bob Lutz

02-07-2006, 08:34 AM	#14 (permalink)
boblutzfan 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: San Antonio, Texas Drives: 2004 Mazda6s - V6/5-speed manual Posts: 4,276	Re: Lincoln Zephyr is now Lincoln MKZ This is crazy. I'm sure all the current owners will be thrilled about the resale value of their now outdated and renamed car. Ford is crazy.

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