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So the Continental isn't dead?


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http://www.autonews.com/article/20180618/OEM04/180619771/lincoln-corsair-mkc

 

Dealers were shown the Corsair, along with the next-generation Ford Escape, Explorer, Mach 1 battery-electric crossover, a small off-road SUV and a Lincoln Continental sedan with suicide doors late last month at a meeting in Orlando, according to those in the room. But the sources cautioned that Ford could change the Corsair's name before the vehicle goes into production.

 

 

Hope it's CD6-based and, therefore RWD......

 

Also, Corsair is a great name. It was last used here in the UK in the mid 60's for a re-skinned Cortina. But Corsair has a flair to it and would make a great name if that will they/won't they Lincoln-Stang was ever produced.

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The traditionalist in me says Lincoln needs a big-a**ed, suicide doored sedan in its lineup. The 61-65 Contys are such an instantly recognisable car. To me, the current conty is the closest thing to that in the current lineup, but even that doesn't *scream* Lincoln.

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If they showed this again just last month, it’s still happening! From all rumors we gathered, this is a very limited edition, stretched, anniversary model for the Continental’s 80th Anniversary and will be offered within a year, at over $100,000, special order only. Now the Continental may still not be replaced after the current cars run ends around 2022-23 though, who knows. But at dealer trainings just last month Lincoln has told them they are committed to sedans and showed sedan design sketches of the MKZ replacement due in 2020.

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If they showed this again just last month, it’s still happening! From all rumors we gathered, this is a very limited edition, stretched, anniversary model for the Continental’s 80th Anniversary and will be offered within a year, at over $100,000, special order only. Now the Continental may still not be replaced after the current cars run ends around 2022-23 though, who knows. But at dealer trainings just last month Lincoln has told them they are committed to sedans and showed sedan design sketches of the MKZ replacement due in 2020.

 

I still find it near impossible to believe that they'd take the current model and throw suicide doors on.

 

It makes sense to keep MKZ and move it to CD6. That will free up space in Hermosillo and will sell a lot more than Continental. They could do a LWB version to replace Continental.

 

At that point, would they not just keep the Continental name?

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I feel they would be better off coming up with something between the size of the MKZ and Continental on CD6 (keeping the Continental name) and only keeping one sedan. At this point I could take or leave a Lincstang.

 

Haha, this was my thinking exactly - and they could do a LWB model if they wanted.

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The only reason I can see doing a LWB version is for Limo upfitters or airport fleets, and Im not sure the latter is really what Lincoln wants anymore.

That's the "old Lincoln"...think of the prestige and image boost of a limited edition suicide door Continental! I can see Lincoln loaning these out in LA and NY to the celebrity crowd as well....its all about raising their status back up, building on the highly regarded new Navigator.

Again, from what the dealer rumors have been, this is a $100,000+ model, limited to 250 or so, due in 2019, I'm guessing mostly hand made/modified by an outside firm, and then its gone.

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Another thing to ponder...the Continental came out as a 2017, and with very few exceptions, Ford never cancels a model prematurely (esp one so unique as the Continental, parts wise) If anything, they let stuff go on for way too long!

 

So, most likely, the current Continental will run its production course, to 2022-23 or so. It would be highly unlikely for them to stop it sooner, say to replace it with an all new CD6 Continental, or with the MKZ replacement in 2020.

 

Now, it could become the new Lincoln fleet vehicle, maybe calling it "Continental Town Car" and using it like they use the MKT Town Car now, to sell to fleets and livery mostly, while still keeping retail.

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I saw a Conti parked next to the road the other day; I'm sure I've seen them before but this one stood out, a very sharp looking car. I was just thinking that I'd like to see them make a 4-door 'vert, like the iconic drop-top Contis of the '60s. I'm not sure how many they could sell, but it would certainly stand out from the crowd...

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I'd still have a hard time picturing a retrofit for suicide doors, but the good news is that the push-button door release and molding-mounted handles make that configuration slightly less complicated (almost seems like it was designed for that). I do think however that it needs to accompany a major update. And if they are going to stay in the sedan business, I would hold that trick for their CD6 products. Continental is largely perceived as something of a dud so I think suicide doors might just be another Blackwood.

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They will be made at Flat Rock, Mustang / Continental. The MKZ replacement will be slightly smaller footprint than the current MKZ but with a longer wheel base and will be a coupe profile Sedan and Convertible (which may also have optional 4 Doors). Change over will be announced with the next UAW contract next fall. Continental will have a shorter run but will make up in cost savings getting it over to the new architecture as soon as possible.

Suicide doors and a possible 4 door convertible shows how great CD6 Architecture is that is has that much strength engineered in from the start to allow those options.

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I'd still have a hard time picturing a retrofit for suicide doors, but the good news is that the push-button door release and molding-mounted handles make that configuration slightly less complicated (almost seems like it was designed for that). I do think however that it needs to accompany a major update. And if they are going to stay in the sedan business, I would hold that trick for their CD6 products. Continental is largely perceived as something of a dud so I think suicide doors might just be another Blackwood.

 

Agreed about keeping the suicide doors for a CD6 model.....I still don't see how they can just throw them on the current model, nor do I think it would do it justice on the same FWD platform.

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4 Door, it will be a 4 seat. Also the new Mustang Convertible will (finally) have a popup roll over protection system.

 

Interesting on both counts!

 

As you seem to be well informed.......do you have a view as to what model year the next-gen CD6/S650 is due? Most recently I've seen the 2022 (as an early '23MY) and even a rumour of 2025!! That latter seems crazy late.....the former kind of fits with the '20 Explorer, '21 Aviator timeline. I'd appreciate your thoughts :)

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Not feeling a 4 door convertible. But I think a 2 door coupe/convertible would be great.

I dunno--after seeing the old Contis on the Velocity shows, I really think the 4-door 'vert with suicide doors could be a standout car. I'm just not sure how big that market is.

 

Maybe I'm just nostalgic from having seen a lot of Perry Mason reruns and all those old Galaxie, Conti, and T-Bird ragtops, but I still think that 4-door drop top is an opportunity for Lincoln...

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Oh it would be unique and get lots of interest for a couple of months, but it's not going to sell enough to pay for the development.

Probably, but it is one of those whitespace areas. The Germans still make 4-seat 'verts, but I don't think anybody is currently making a 4-door 'vert (maybe Bentley?).

 

I guess we'll find out; if they think they can make enough money from them, they'll build them.

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Probably, but it is one of those whitespace areas. The Germans still make 4-seat 'verts, but I don't think anybody is currently making a 4-door 'vert (maybe Bentley?).

 

I guess we'll find out; if they think they can make enough money from them, they'll build them.

 

Nobody does.

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