http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/04/spy-shots-ford-flex-based-crossover-for-lincoln/

As we reported yesterday, Lincoln is likely to get a version of the seven-seat Flex crossover a year after it debuts with a Blue Oval badge. Here's verifiable proof. KGP Photographers have caught a Taurus X-based mule wearing Lincoln's new split grille that will first appear on the MKS sedan. We thought the new nose looked large on the MKS, but it's at least a foot tall for this application. Its oversized dimensions make the mule in these pics look like a humpback whale that's beached itself on an Arctic coast. Quick, somebody feed it some krill before it dies.

While we can't say what the rest of the body will look like, don't expect it to share any body panels with the boxy Ford Flex. We envision a big, low-riding CUV with more flowing lines for Lincoln.

*note: all rights reserved to autoblog for the picture*

Still too early to tell what the final shape will be, but it appears it will have the Lincoln MKR front end. Looks like the Buick Enclave will have some competition now.

 

Re: Lincoln MK-Flex Spy Shots

Looks like a whale.

 

Re: Lincoln MK-Flex Spy Shots

thats too bad

 

Re: Lincoln MK-Flex Spy Shots

I'm not one to respond to stories like this, but...


WHY, LORD, WHY?

Someone at Ford needs to be fired. Yesterday.

 

Re: Lincoln MK-Flex Spy Shots

I think that this really means that Mercury is not long for this world.

No Edge version and now no Flex?

 

Re: Lincoln MK-Flex Spy Shots

I think that this really means that Mercury is not long for this world.

No Edge version and now no Flex?

Let's hope not...Lincoln is now the "volume" leader in the equation, and by that Ford probably figures they can reap a larger and more meaningful profit from each Lincoln than it will from a similar Mercury product. Just the Lincoln badge alone gets them X amount of money more, for arguably little investment outside of sheetmetal, etc.

Regardless, I hope that whatever product gets the green light they make it a handsome and desirable product. Seeing that this is a CUV - and by definition in the "suv-esque" category - with the new Lincoln look, it makes me wonder how long it will be before Lincoln abandons their current "two looks" (one for the sedans, one for their "trucks") and combines them into this new look?

I hope they are successful.

 

Re: Lincoln MK-Flex Spy Shots

Nice Freestyl... ah, TaurusX...ummm, what's it called again?

I wonder if the Cadillac Vue will be as half arsed? I'm guessing yes, since the cancellation of the ultra V-8 Cadillac seems to want to mimic Lincoln's wonderful strategy.

 

Re: Lincoln MK-Flex Spy Shots

Nice Freestyl... ah, TaurusX...ummm, what's it called again?

The final product won't be an X w/ Lincoln front. "The mule is identical to the lengthened Taurus X-based mules that had served as the initial testbeds for the Ford Flex."

 

Re: Lincoln MK-Flex Spy Shots

Ok, enough with the whale jokes.

What we're seeing here is a cooling mule, to see if the design of this car's front clip is capable of keeping the engine cool enough to not disintegrate. The only production-relevant part of this vehicle is the front clip.. nothing else.

I have some good information on this vehicle, if anyone is interesting in hearing it.

The name will be the Lincoln MKT, and it represents a step up from the MKX. It will be loosely based on the underpinnings of the Ford Flex, but it won't share many parts. It will have three rows, with a design theme of "corporate jet". Pricing will start between $40,000 and $45,000, and end up in the high $50,000 range fully loaded.

Engines will include the Lincoln 3.7L V6, rated between 275 and 290hp, and the twin-turbo TwinForce 3.5L V6, which will be rated between 350hp and 400hp. The base engine will be mated to a 6-speed automatic, and the turbo will have a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The Lincoln direct-injected 3.7L V6 will likely make an appearance, either replacing or supplementing the base engine.

Standard and optional equipment will include all the usual delights from the MKS, including the integrated keypad (WAY cool), power everything, HIDs up front and LEDs out back, AdvanceTrac, Ford's intelligent AWD (a surprising performance-oriented system for those who've driven it), mega-sunroof, radar cruise, rain-sensing wipers, power sunshades, keyless ignition, reverse camera, 14-speaker 5.1 surround sound, voice-DVD navi with Sync, 20" rims, not to mention the wrapped dash, and tons of real wood and metal on the inside.

Here's some pics for reference:

 

Re: Lincoln MK-Flex Spy Shots

Ok, enough with the whale jokes.

What we're seeing here is a cooling mule, to see if the design of this car's front clip is capable of keeping the engine cool enough to not disintegrate. The only production-relevant part of this vehicle is the front clip.. nothing else.

I have some good information on this vehicle, if anyone is interesting in hearing it.

The name will be the Lincoln MKT, and it represents a step up from the MKX. It will be loosely based on the underpinnings of the Ford Flex, but it won't share many parts. It will have three rows, with a design theme of "corporate jet". Pricing will start between $40,000 and $45,000, and end up in the high $50,000 range fully loaded.

Engines will include the Lincoln 3.7L V6, rated between 275 and 290hp, and the twin-turbo TwinForce 3.5L V6, which will be rated between 350hp and 400hp. The base engine will be mated to a 6-speed automatic, and the turbo will have a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The Lincoln direct-injected 3.7L V6 will likely make an appearance, either replacing or supplementing the base engine.

Standard and optional equipment will include all the usual delights from the MKS, including the integrated keypad (WAY cool), power everything, HIDs up front and LEDs out back, AdvanceTrac, Ford's intelligent AWD (a surprising performance-oriented system for those who've driven it), mega-sunroof, radar cruise, rain-sensing wipers, power sunshades, keyless ignition, reverse camera, 14-speaker 5.1 surround sound, voice-DVD navi with Sync, 20" rims, not to mention the wrapped dash, and tons of real wood and metal on the inside.

Here's some pics for reference:

The Mercedes R class is a pretty ****ty seller, but I guess the Lincoln Flex could have a chance if priced right with the right features.

 

Re: Lincoln MK-Flex Spy Shots

saw that on the road the other day, with full camo. wondered what it was.

 

Re: Lincoln MK-Flex Spy Shots

I think I could like it, I'll wait and see how the final product looks like

 

Re: Lincoln MK-Flex Spy Shots

It's almost like this is the fate of the Mercury Meta One concept. But the question is: why? Does Lincoln need something like this between the MKX and Navigator? It strikes me as filler material; something that's being done that isn't particularly relevant but gives Lincoln product. Should've been a Mercury, you know, to suggest that brand "isn't going anywhere."

 

Re: Lincoln MK-Flex Spy Shots

It's almost like this is the fate of the Mercury Meta One concept. But the question is: why? Does Lincoln need something like this between the MKX and Navigator? It strikes me as filler material; something that's being done that isn't particularly relevant but gives Lincoln product. Should've been a Mercury, you know, to suggest that brand "isn't going anywhere."

It's going to be Lambda size, maybe a bit bigger, just like the MKX is a bit bigger than the upcoming Theta Cadillac.

 

Re: Lincoln MK-Flex Spy Shots

re: the last 3 posts
Butz, the Lincoln won't look like that except the frontclip. We've heard it'll share no sheetmetal with Flex (or Taurus-X).
MN12Fan, remember it's bigger than the MetaOne/Taurus-X yet will almost undoubtedly have better FE/mpg than the Navi.
(I really believe a decision re:Mercury is on hold until they see how Lincoln does with the MKS & MKT)
Xenon, the Taurus-X is already Much More roomy than the R-thingie. I can sit in the Taurus-X's 3rd row comfortably (6'1" 200#), the "R" gave me a claustrophobic attack and was much harder to get Out of!

 

It's coming a year after the Flex?????

Well crap, THIS is the vehicle my wife and I have been waiting for, but I'm not waiting until Summer '09....

We were waiting for the Flex, which I hate, but I figured it'd give us a basic idea of what the Lincoln version would be like, size, room, driveability, etc. I figured the Lincoln version would follow within a few months of the Flex. But screw that, we can't wait that long. We need a new family wagon, like, yesterday.

Way to go, Detroit. Keep assdragging on new model introductions. GM still have no compact/midsize 7-seat crossover, and now I've got 15 months to wait for what's effectively just a tarted-up Flex? Forget it, I'm not waiting that long.

I should've just bought that damm Mazda CX9 and forgot about waiting for bloated Lambdas and Baleen-whale-faced Lincolns...

My wife still wants a Kia Rondo, and ya know, I think I'm ready to cave in, despite Kia's iffy reputation. At least it'd be in our driveway before our baby starts kindergarten.

I'm sick of hearing Detroit's lame excuses for absurd delays in product launches.

 

...Well crap, THIS is the vehicle my wife and I have been waiting for, but I'm not waiting until Summer '09....

I think it's not that long after the Flex intro -
prolley best to wait for Igor with uptotheminute info

 

The rest of the sheet metal better be spectacular because I am not feeling that. My wife recently drove an Enclave which was her friend's husband's ride. She is pretty set on replacing the Freestyle with an Enclave in the future. We will keep our options open until 2011 when we make the purchase.

 

What are you all talking about. Lincoln is just getting a MKTX (Mark Taurus X), which will, obviously, share NO SHEETMETAL with the Flex! Lincoln was left loose on a hill and started rolling down, but Ford quickly realized and ran after it to help push it further.

The one about the grille and cooling cracked me up

PS. Really, Ford has given the verdict on Mercury a long time ago, which is both sad and bad from a business point of view, but Ford prefers a cowardly, "safe" strategy - perhaps because the Ford family lives off the extensive positions they hold @ Dearborn, so they prefer to keep business running, even if losing this and that every year, rather than do something big and really turn around.

 

Problem is that the whole Mecury lineup could easily be a trim level for Ford. And how much of a global presence does Mercury have? That's also a big factor in whether or not its a worthwhile brand.

 

Problem is that the whole Mecury lineup could easily be a trim level for Ford. And how much of a global presence does Mercury have? That's also a big factor in whether or not its a worthwhile brand.

Lincoln is going the same way + it has just as much global presence.

If Ford was serious about shifting from earning cash in the cheap-to-build expensive-to-buy ancient truck market to the luxury car market (where you can build a CAFE-compliant and still money-earning vehicle more easily -> this is where the money will be), they would protect Lincoln and move it more and more away from "chromey Fords" (see LS), while Mercury would get all the necessary rebadges to help cover all bases and give Lincoln dealers some volume (rather than have to merge Lincoln dealers with Ford and lose all the exclusivity).

There is potential in Mercury just like there is in Buick, Pontiac and Saturn (and was even in Oldsmobile), just like there is a place for Scion, just like Chrysler Corp. does fine with BOTH Dodge and Chrysler, Chrysler being nowhere near Cadillac or even Lincoln.

If Ford wasn't so intent on pushing Ford's volume (even more than GM's Cadillac) and treated Mercury seriously, they could've become an "in" brand with the young and the restless (I mean people who drive Hondas and such), they pretty much are even now with the lousy lineup, compared to Ford. They could also carry the "oddball" models, likel to collect dust in Ford showrooms, but attract "oddball" customers. Examples:
- 5-door Focus as shown by 2b2 (great chop!)
- wagons and hatchbacks in general
- minivan!
- da' Freestyle!
- FWD/AWD large car after shifting Ford to RWD
- coupes / convertibles other than Mustang

There is also potential for Mercury abroad - while Lincoln should've absolutely gone abroad and elbow out its way as a brand at least equal to the German Trinity, Mercury could serve as a brand for the "oddball" models for certain markets, e.g. imported USDM Fords which would be considered "luxury" in Europe (large SUVs, minivans, Cougar etc.) - Mercury would build them anyway, wouldn't they?

Enough armchair management for today

 

Lincoln is going the same way + it has just as much global presence.

If Ford was serious about shifting from earning cash in the cheap-to-build expensive-to-buy ancient truck market to the luxury car market (where can build a CAFE-compliant and still money-earning vehicle more you easily -> this is where the money will be), they would protect Lincoln and move it more and more away from "chromey Fords" (see LS), while Mercury would get all the necessary rebadges to help cover all bases and give Lincoln dealers some volume (rather than have to merge Lincoln dealers with Ford and lose all the exclusivity).

There is potential in Mercury just like there is in Buick, Pontiac and Saturn (and was even in Oldsmobile), just like there is a place for Scion, just like Chrysler Corp. does fine with BOTH Dodge and Chrysler, Chrysler being nowhere near Cadillac or even Lincoln.

If Ford wasn't so intent on pushing Ford's volume (even more than GM's Cadillac) and treated Mercury seriously, they could've become an "in" brand with the young and the restless (I mean people who drive Hondas and such), they pretty much are even now with the lousy lineup, compared to Ford. They could also carry the "oddball" models, likel to collect dust in Ford showrooms, but attract "oddball" customers. Examples:
- 5-door Focus as shown by 2b2 (great chop!)
- wagons and hatchbacks in general
- minivan!
- da' Freestyle!
- FWD/AWD large car after shifting Ford to RWD
- coupes / convertibles other than Mustang

There is also potential for Mercury abroad - while Lincoln should've absolutely gone abroad and elbow out its way as a brand at least equal to the German Trinity, Mercury could serve as a brand for the "oddball" models for certain markets, e.g. imported USDM Fords which would be considered "luxury" in Europe (large SUVs, minivans, Cougar etc.) - Mercury would build them anyway, wouldn't they?

Enough armchair management for today

About Mercury I got to agree with you, Mercury should be the young sporty brand that could compete against scion

 

Have we all not read that the Lincoln version will be the first dramatically styled shared platform? Yes we have!! That is not even the right platform, as it will be on a Flex version.

But not to be out done...Ford sucks!! Someone at Ford should be fired!!! Ford does not stand a chance!!! Ford is a loser!!! GM rocks baby!!!!!!!

 

Fortunately, Ford is selling Jaguar - and it's about the only good thing resulting from it. Tata has enough sense not to build a Jaguar SUV (along with a Land Rover sports sedan).

 

can't wait to see Lincolns version of the flex. If ford managed to put in such things as a refrigerator mood lighting and reclining seats in the flex I can't wait to see what other luxury and unique features Lincoln will put in. Personally i'm hoping for a mini bar but I know thats not going to happen

 

Well this is interesting because it's the first real evidence we've seen of an Lincoln based on the Flex. Like others have said, it's not going to be based on the Taurus X. That big grille is here to stay though; it's the new look of Lincoln guys. Product wise I'm looking forward to anything new from Lincoln, because I like to see where they're trying to take the brand. The MKS was a good example of what they can do. Next generation MKZ and an MKR vehicle are my most anticipated Lincoln launches. If they can bring this vehicle out along with the MKR and an impressive new MKZ I think they'll be looking good.