Rumorpile: Lincoln MKT Replacement Could Be Based On Next-Gen Explorer

Shame that MKT never got a good style update, as the current one only got worse.  It is still one of the best vehicles in it's class though, which is somewhat divergent from the taller CUV's out there.  I liked the tallish wagon feel when driving it, and I am not so sure I will like a taller CUV.  

MKT needs to be killed with fire... enough said. It may be great for hauling stuff, toting kids, even have great materials and value... which Fords already deliver; which is why a model like this one for Lincoln doesn't help its luxury cred.

Helllooo Aviator.

Some people will always love the station wagon which this is, but more love the CUV.

There hasn't been much of a MarKeT for it so far, best to go in a different direction, with a real name.

I think the last two posts best sum up why Lincoln is moving toward a more CUV like vehicle, to be less niche like and more conventional and memorable.

I still can't help but think that if they at least adopted the new Lincoln CUV language into it, that things would have been different in the sales department.

I mean, duh. They were stupid for making it what it is to begin with.

I mean, duh. They were stupid for making it what it is to begin with.

Not true.

The vehicle is a very good large luxury people mover, hindered only by styling.

Yes, in much the same way JFK's trip to Dallas was a success except for that twisty section during the limo ride.

Yes, in much the same way JFK's trip to Dallas was a success except for that twisty section during the limo ride.

HAHA

The saddest news for me out of this is that there is not going to be a new Flex.  That car sells really well when you consider it is basically a Taurus Wagon.  If you combine Taurus sales and Flex Sales, typically Flex is at least 1/3 of the total..... that is really good for a wagon..

You simply can't beat a Flex.  Had one myself and liked it better than my Explorer. 

And yes, Flex is going away too.

Does that mean Continental will take over as Lincoln's livery vehicle?

Well, that is certainly an option. I know I would not mind being driven in a vehicle like this....

It would be nice to see Lincoln take over that market from the S-Class

It ain't happening with Fusion bits.

It ain't happening with Fusion bits.

Have you not beat this dead horse enough over at MT.  Once again, there is no Fusion and certainly no Fusion bits in the Conti.

It ain't happening with Fusion bits.

I really don't think people getting picked up to go to the airport or the opera care about the platform under the car as long as the car is luxurious enough for them

Agreed. But consider the ramifications of that. That's what got us the Town Car as a Lincoln flagship. If they're able to do the Continental as a livery car and do a proper flagship down the road then good. But it's not what they need right now for this car-it must make an impact on the retail segment first, regardless of its underpinnings.

Agreed. But consider the ramifications of that. That's what got us the Town Car as a Lincoln flagship. If they're able to do the Continental as a livery car and do a proper flagship down the road then good. But it's not what they need right now for this car-it must make an impact on the retail segment first, regardless of its underpinnings.

Also true... but being used as an airport shuttle doesn't seem to hamper S-Class sales. 

Perhaps I need a better Air Miles card but I don't see a ton of them in Alberta airports.

Anyways, my point is this: S-Class limos work for two reasons... Well, three:

-if it's German it must be good

-if it's a great luxury car to begin with its ability as a limo is a given. The converse is not the case.

-thunderous depreciation in the segment.

There's a reason Cadillac shied away from calling the XTS a flagship. There's also a reason they're quietly making it go away.

This is not 1989.

Flexible manufacturing has changed everything, and so has modern powertrain and suspension technology, as well better engineering, CAE tools, etc.

Comparing cars from that era today, makes zero sense.

Perhaps I need a better Air Miles card but I don't see a ton of them in Alberta airports.

Anyways, my point is this: S-Class limos work for two reasons... Well, three:

-if it's German it must be good

-if it's a great luxury car to begin with its ability as a limo is a given. The converse is not the case.

-thunderous depreciation in the segment.

There's a reason Cadillac shied away from calling the XTS a flagship. There's also a reason they're quietly making it go away.

Try EWR, LGA, JFK, PHL, DCA, ORD, and MIA.... just a small sampling of my typical haunts. 

The reason Cadillac is moving away from the XTS is that it no longer fits the image they want to convey.  Lincoln is specifically going after "Quiet Luxury"

The Continental will probably be priced too high to be a livery vehicle.  They might push the MKS into that category.

The MKT needs no replacement, they have a MKC, MKX and Navagator, that gives them a small, medium, large SUV trio. 

This is not 1989.

Flexible manufacturing has changed everything, and so has modern powertrain and suspension technology, as well better engineering, CAE tools, etc.

 

Comparing cars from that era today, makes zero sense.

What are you talking about? Mediocre chassis engineering is still mediocre chassis engineering, regardless of era. Aside from possibly competing with a previous-gen version at the arrival gate I assure you nobody will seriously compare an S-Class to a Continental. Maybe in 2019 we can have this conversation. But certainly not today.

 

This is not 1989.

Flexible manufacturing has changed everything, and so has modern powertrain and suspension technology, as well better engineering, CAE tools, etc.

 

Comparing cars from that era today, makes zero sense.

What are you talking about? Mediocre chassis engineering is still mediocre chassis engineering, regardless of era. Aside from possibly competing with a previous-gen version at the arrival gate I assure you nobody will seriously compare an S-Class to a Continental. Maybe in 2019 we can have this conversation. But certainly not today.

 

So you are again suggesting that the new Conti is a mediocre chassis, yet you know almost nothing about it, other than the starting point, which is little more than fixed hard-point dimensions beginning with an all new chassis. 

Why is it that most in this industry already know what defines and contributes to a total system, which is the sum of it's parts and subsystems as well as, and most importantly, who they are all integrated together in that system -- except you?  Because concluding 'mediocre' at this point suggests what many of us already know about what is behind your intended remarks.  The car appears to have exactly what it needs, and more, to deliver on it's promises of the best Lincoln to date.  Good enough anyway to completely steal the spotlight from it's recent auto show cross town rival.