Earlier Ford turned down the idea of stuffing a V8 under the hood of the MKS as it couldn't find one to fit. So instead a beefed up version of the 3.5 V6 would go in. Now Ford has decided to put a V8 in the Lincoln instead. It will be AWD with a 6-speed automatic.

Now this definately sounds better.

http://www.autoblog.com

 

Ford checked the internet and made the right move.
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couple Cams

 

dont know if it looks "bling" enough to go against the 300c

 

See bascho... I told you so. It needs a V8 to compete in that market segment. And the VP's at Ford have *finally* figured that out too.

 

I know what the Duratech 35 is capable of.....a V8 is not needed. That's like saying the 350Z and the G35 need a V8 because 300hp is not enough. The Duratech 35 is easily capable of 300hp in n/a form and by 2008/9 it will have that. It's capable of so much more with FI.

But that market research you hate so much is showing it's ugly head......the people want to see a V8 badge on the fender......so it might get one. It won't matter that the V8 used will be far inferior to the Duratech 35 V6 because people are sheep.

I cannot say enough good things about the Duratech 35......so I'll let it speak for itself over the next few years.

BTW, the 315hp V8 they are talking about is the V8 used in the XC90.

 

I didn't think it was necessary because of market research. Don't need to waste millions on it to know that a V8 was necessary. Stupid "metrics". Like I said... "It needs a V8 to compete in that market segment." and I wasn't refering to power. It is because of what that "market research" said... people want a V8 in that segment. If the competition is offering it and especially if the leading car in that segment has it... you'd be stupid not to offer the same or better. Especially when you are coming in as the underdog.

I never was knocking the Duratec 3.5 V6. It sounds like it will be a competitive motor to the VQ35. It's just not what this market segment wants. That has been what most of my objections to the upcoming Lincolns have been... not that what Ford is making is utter crap in and of itself... just that it looks like they are not going to be a huge success... in REAL terms of success... not just meeting or slightly exceeding a sales goal... which is lower than what they should be trying to attain. They should be trying to have an impact... get people excited. Enough with the mediocore products... they sell well enough... but is "well enough" enough?

 

What cars do you think are going to be the competition? Which have V8's? I never said that a V8 wouldn't be nice.......but Ford just spent a lot of $$$ on the Duratech and the new 6.4TT Navistar engine.....doesn't leave much R&D $$$ for a new V8. I really don't want Ford to make the mistake of using the crappy V8 used in the XC90 just to have a V8 badge on the car. Now, if Ford can figure out how to fit the 4.6 under the hood......that would be really nice IMO.

Believe me, I am all about V8 power......but if Ford can get the same power out of a FI V6, why not use that instead? I don't think any final V8 decisions have been made because I would know about it......if anything it would be optional.

 

What size is the MKS? The MKZ? I want to make sure that I've got the right idea about the size of these cars.

I agree about using an inferior V8 and no money for a new V8. If they had set it up to be able to run the 4.6 V8 from the beginning... oh well.

While we may not mind a FI V6, people are going to be swayed by numbers/specs and not the fact that the lighter V6 would probably help with handling a lot.

 

Acura went with a high tech 3.5l V6 in the RL with 300hp and awd. Sound familiar? Great car, sales disaster. It needs a V8. I am fully aware most cars will be sold with the smaller option motor. It is all about image at this range.

October Sales figures:

Acura RL - 987
Audi A6 - 844
BMW 5-Series - 4,398
Infiniti M - 1,986
Lexus GS - 1,997

 

The MKS is built on the D3 platform....same as the Five Hundred and Montego. It's longer than the MKZ by a few inches.

I still think a FI Duratech would be the best option. The 4.6 would still have been my favorite choice......but packaging must have been a problem.

 

Point taken. But even if the RL had a V8, that is tough competition it's up against. The Acura's are still seen as expensive Honda's in a lot of people's eyes. Honda's are supposed to be cheap and reliable. Lexus was able to convince the public that they were not just an expensive Toyota but rather a better car than a Mercedes or BMW. Acura never made that jump.

 

Acura can't make that jump because they ARE just glorified Hondas. Even if most Toyota's are FWD, 99% of Lexus are RWD... just like the competition... BMW, MB, Infiniti, Jaguar, etc. Lexus has its own brand design identity and a feel that is not just a better Toyota, but a step above that. Early Acuras clearly weren't... they really weren't much more than upgraded Hondas (Integra vs Prelude).

I had a feeling that this (5 series, Infiniti M, etc.) was the MKS' market segment. In this market BMW's are by far the sales leaders... both the 3 Series and the 5 Series. That should be Ford's target with Lincoln. Volvo can't do it... because they are Volvo's... there is the limiting appeal of what makes a Volvo (and they've always been FWD). Same for Jaguar... and their issues... although improved under Ford.

Well at least Ford is going to offer a V8 and one that isn't a weak motor. Good news. It's too bad that the 4.6 won't work with this platform.

 

I agree with everything you just wrote. I would like to add that Lincoln taking a stab at Cadillac is a better choice as the sales volumes are more in line with expectations for Lincoln. A good Lincoln vs Caddie product war would really benefit the market. Caddy has really repositioned itself nicely and is a good benchmark for Lincoln. I have no idea what Lincoln has been doing with itself for the last couple of years. The LS was a great car and should have been developed more. The 'gator is a great SUV as is the MKX.....the Aviator and MarkV are/were mistakes IMO. The MKZ is really nice this year.......and they need to stay involved in that car and develop it further. The MKS looks to be the car that the LS wanted to be.......let's just hope they don't drop the ball this time.

No one said Ford can't run the ball.....it's fumbling that's the problem.