BORG Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 (edited) Ford has previewed the new Vignale cars in Geneva. http://www.carscoops.com/2016/02/ford-luxes-up-edge-kuga-mondeo-s-max.html Edited March 1, 2016 by BORG 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 Nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Ford needs to make that Edge Platinum and Escape Platinum happen... like yesterday. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 We already have them - they just spell them MKX and MKC....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted March 1, 2016 Author Share Posted March 1, 2016 (edited) I would love to see an Edge Platinum, but we probably wouldn't get such a thing before an MCE at this point so maybe in 2018. The Edge Vignale is heavily decorated, to the point it seems over the top kitsch. I do like it however and would be tempted by one if it was here...which Lincoln wouldn't want to hear. The Kuga and Escape updates are just not appealing to me, although the Kuga looks more upscale. I am glad to see more upscale Fords in NA with cars like Explorer Platinum and now Fusion Platinum. Right now it seems Ford is trying to give Lincoln allot of breathing room which means we have been getting very little in the way of luxury finishes or designs from the company, but I would like to see Ford inch it up a bit more. Edited March 1, 2016 by BORG 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 (edited) We already have them - they just spell them MKX and MKC....... . As Ford differentiates Lincoln with different sheet metal and exclusive equipment (Revel audio systems, Black Label customization, exclusive powertrain options etc etc) Vignale is more like the recently departed Mercury line. It will fit in the Ford line as Lincoln moves further upmarket. The fact that Continental is not going to have a Ford counterpart in the North American market is interesting. Edited March 1, 2016 by twintornados 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted March 1, 2016 Author Share Posted March 1, 2016 (edited) . As Ford differentiates Lincoln with different sheet metal and exclusive equipment (Revel audio systems, Black Label customization, exclusive powertrain options etc etc) this is more like the recently departed Mercury line. It will fit in the Ford line as Lincoln moves further upmarket. The fact that Continental is not going to have a Ford counterpart in the North American market is interesting. I think there is room for Ford to luxe it up a bit, especially since Lincoln has a very distinct identity and look that doesn't necessarily have widespread appeal, especially among younger shoppers. I do worry about a Ford that is protecting Lincoln when I think there is opportunity for them to grow their very limited luxury customer reach, especially when Lincoln remains a bit of a calculated experiment without convincing data for success. In any case, Lincoln is moving up the ladder and Ford has room below it to fill in the gaps for customers who would otherwise go elsewhere. I don't think you can necessarily draw a line from a Ford customer to a Lincoln customer when Lincoln's fundamental goal is to be as different as possible from the Ford brand. Lincoln may have been able to catch Ford graduates in the past but that may not be the case as Lincoln goes in a culturally different direction despite their shared parts. In any case, Ford has done a nice job diversifying it's products even when they are just using the same products. Edited March 1, 2016 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 (edited) So, when is Lincoln going to take of the trainer wheels and start setting "black label" as its regular trims and leave behind the regular trims....something that Ford could use as Platinum series? Edited March 1, 2016 by jpd80 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 I like the Edge, not so much the Kuga (The rear looks... Odd). re: Platinum... I wonder if Ford will move Platinum to the top spot on the F150. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 . As Ford differentiates Lincoln with different sheet metal and exclusive equipment (Revel audio systems, Black Label customization, exclusive powertrain options etc etc) Vignale is more like the recently departed Mercury line. It will fit in the Ford line as Lincoln moves further upmarket. Except European Fords like Mondeo also get some MKZ features like massage seats and adaptive LED headlamps. It's closer to a base Lincoln than a Titanium Ford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 I like the Edge, not so much the Kuga (The rear looks... Odd). re: Platinum... I wonder if Ford will move Platinum to the top spot on the F150. Platinum was the top trim until they added Limited above it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 (edited) Is it worth the effort to align trim levels (Titanium, Platinum) or would it only confuse existing F150 buyers..... On the European Fords, This has to be the best way to have all the benefits of Lincoln without the fuss of introducing a second brand, I'm looking forward to seeing what splash these vehicles will make in future and how much this changes Ford's image for the better. Edited March 1, 2016 by jpd80 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2b2 Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 (edited) So, when is Lincoln going to take of the trainer wheels and start setting "black label" as its regular trims and leave behind the regular trims....something that Ford could use as Platinum series? just imho: cD6 Edited March 1, 2016 by 2b2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Platinum was the top trim until they added Limited above it. Right, but with the Explorer Platinum is the top trim, with Limited being a lesser trim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 The only difference between a loaded F150 Platinum and a Limited is appearance and 22" vs. 20" wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Ooh I like the grills on the Edge and Escape.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grbeck Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 I want that Kuga/Escape Vignale. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bzcat Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Except European Fords like Mondeo also get some MKZ features like massage seats and adaptive LED headlamps. It's closer to a base Lincoln than a Titanium Ford. Doesn't the new Fusion Platinum have the seats and LED lights? Platinum was the top trim until they added Limited above it. I think on the F-150, the trim level is technically called Platinum Limited, not just Limited. I think Ford needs to get rid of the Limited trim level on Explorer and call it Titanium to harmonize it with the rest of the line up. Explorer Base XLT Limited -->Titanium Sport Platinum Fusion S (maybe it should be renamed to "Base" as in no "S" badge of shame) SE Titanium (Ford would like to sell as many as possible, not Limited ) Sport Platinum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 I think on the F-150, the trim level is technically called Platinum Limited, not just Limited. No, it's 'Limited.' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 1, 2016 Share Posted March 1, 2016 Doesn't the new Fusion Platinum have the seats and LED lights? I think on the F-150, the trim level is technically called Platinum Limited, not just Limited. Nope. Fusion Platinum is just the fully loaded current Titanium 301A/302A packages. Titanium is now limited to the base 300A package. Titanium and Platinum do get LED headlamps but they're not adaptive and no massage seats. In the F-150 order guide it's listed as just Limited, not Platinum Limited. Although that would probably make more sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StangBang Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Is it worth the effort to align trim levels (Titanium, Platinum) or would it only confuse existing F150 buyers..... On the European Fords, This has to be the best way to have all the benefits of Lincoln without the fuss of introducing a second brand, I'm looking forward to seeing what splash these vehicles will make in future and how much this changes Ford's image for the better. Europe won't respond to the Lincoln brand anyway. It means nothing to them. They will respond to the Vignale name because it was a familiar European coachbiulder. Anyway, Europe does not need bespoke Lincolns and if they were to get a unique Lincoln model that does not align with a Ford then they would likely badge it as a Ford like they did with the Ford Cougar. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StangBang Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 (edited) Doesn't the new Fusion Platinum have the seats and LED lights? I think on the F-150, the trim level is technically called Platinum Limited, not just Limited. I think Ford needs to get rid of the Limited trim level on Explorer and call it Titanium to harmonize it with the rest of the line up. Explorer Base XLT Limited -->Titanium Sport Platinum Fusion S (maybe it should be renamed to "Base" as in no "S" badge of shame) SE Titanium (Ford would like to sell as many as possible, not Limited ) Sport Platinum "S" always screams stripped model. Let's go back to the old days of Custom, Deluxe, Custom Deluxe, Super Custom Deluxe! No wait... Stripliner, Deluxliner, Mainliner, Customliner, Sportliner, Sunliner, Starliner, Moonliner, Pantyliner.... Edited March 2, 2016 by StangBang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted March 2, 2016 Author Share Posted March 2, 2016 (edited) Ford has been transitioning from Limited to Titanium as their North American cars join One Ford. I believe "Limited" has it's origins on the Explorer brand and I know many buyers are looking specifically for that model but I'm sure Ford will switch to Titanium in 2019. F-150 is completely unrelated to the rest of Ford's lineup and is operating under it's own conventions, it really is a brand within a brand similar to Mustang. Titanium is implemented inconsistently so it's just a way of designating a higher-trim model but not necessarily what that trim must have or what it should look like across the brand (like Vignale). Platinum is as close as you get but you can still see inconsistencies with its implementation between Explorer and Fusion, such as the fact that Fusion Platinum can't have the upgraded Sport/Lincoln engine...nor does it have the upgraded instrument panel in the Explorer/Lincoln... not to mention only the Explorer has it's unique Platinum Ford badging. Edited March 2, 2016 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomcat68 Posted March 2, 2016 Share Posted March 2, 2016 Ford has been transitioning from Limited to Titanium as their North American cars join One Ford. I believe "Limited" has it's origins on the Explorer brand and I know many buyers are looking specifically for that model but I'm sure Ford will switch to Titanium in 2019. F-150 is completely unrelated to the rest of Ford's lineup and is operating under it's own conventions, it really is a brand within a brand similar to Mustang. Titanium is implemented inconsistently so it's just a way of designating a higher-trim model but not necessarily what that trim must have or what it should look like across the brand (like Vignale). Platinum is as close as you get but you can still see inconsistencies with its implementation between Explorer and Fusion, such as the fact that Fusion Platinum can't have the upgraded Sport/Lincoln engine...nor does it have the upgraded instrument panel in the Explorer/Lincoln... not to mention only the Explorer has it's unique Platinum Ford badging. I think The Explorer was the first time I saw "Limited" (not spelled out as LTD like the model line) on a product and I thought the F series picked it up soon after. I was always confused as to which models were "platinum" and which were Titanium" as a top trim level. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StangBang Posted May 29, 2016 Share Posted May 29, 2016 I think The Explorer was the first time I saw "Limited" (not spelled out as LTD like the model line) on a product and I thought the F series picked it up soon after. I was always confused as to which models were "platinum" and which were Titanium" as a top trim level. You mean the first Ford with Limited as a name? I do remember old Buick Electra Limited models and a few other Buick models have used Limited at times. Anyway I have trouble too figuring out if Platinum or Titanium is supposed to be the most premium trim. It's as confusing as LTD Brougham and Landau was in the 70's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.