With Ford set to discontinue its entire lineup of traditional sedan models in North America, the future is looking grim for Lincoln-branded sedans MKZ and Continental. Neither model could quite be considered a sales star, and given that crossovers and SUVs appear set to continue stealing away market share from sedans both there and abroad, it seems all but inevitable that Ford will let the MKZ and Continental fizzle out.
As a matter of fact, back in March, we heard from a well-placed source that the Lincoln Continental was indeed set for discontinuation after the current, tenth-generation model completes its lifecycle.
Lest Ford’s luxury brand be resigned to simply churning out flashy, leather-dipped versions of Ford’s utility vehicles, Lincoln will have to explore other options. In trying to imagine what the brand might do in order to captivate a crossover-obsessed audience without being too predictable, designer Nihar Mazumdar came up with a rendering for what the forthcoming Lincoln Aviator crossover might look like as a four-door fastback, and the results are striking, if not classically beautiful. Conceptually, it’s not unlike Mercedes-Benz’s GLC and GLE Coupe models, although aesthetically, it’s quite different, possessing a much more strong, square front end.
This four-door Lincoln Aviator fastback rendering is an unusual design study, to be sure, but Ford isn’t above exploring so-called “white space” vehicle silhouettes that lie somewhere between a car and a crossover. Plus, with the Lincoln Aviator – the brand’s replacement for the MKT – set to pack a RWD drivetrain, a fastback model like this one could be seen as a revival of the RWD Lincoln “coupe”. It’s hard to find fault with that.
The all-new Lincoln Aviator is expected to bow at next year’s New York Auto Show, as a 2020-model-year vehicle. To see what the new utility might look like as a four-door fastback, check out Nihar Mazumdar’s new rendering on website Behance.
(Hat-tip: Motor1)
Comments
Sorry but that was hideous. Ford needs to kill nearly everything they make and start over. honestly, I wish I could be on the design team and the idea team for Ford. It’d be the best car company on the market.
They will start over if they fire the unqualified inexperienced furniture guy, today Aug 10th, their stock hit its 4th 52-week low ($9.72/share) since July 25, 2018. They used to be the best car company until about 12 years ago.
I wish Ford would put the MKZ on the CD6 R platform. I think it could compete with the Germans.
The MKZ hybrid is amazing and gets no attention. It’s somewhat unique and could be a sales star.
Lincoln needs sedans. You have to have the looks and the equipment. Lexus Hyundai and Audi are walking all over the luxury market .
Lincoln needs the content and unique and dashing styling and hybrid plug in tech now!