The Ford CD6 Platform was designed from the start to be a flexible one, capable of being used in a wide variety of vehicle applications. But as of right now, the CD6 Platform only underpins two vehicles – the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator, both of which were all-new from the ground up for the 2020 model year. Since this platform is rumored to be very flexible, it would make sense for Ford to use it for smaller vehicles, but that doesn’t appear to be likely at this point.
Ford Authority has exclusively learned from sources familiar with product plans that there are currently no plans to use the CD6 Platform for smaller vehicles, for example Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus replacements. In fact, the only forthcoming model that will utilize the platform is the next-gen, S650 2023 Ford Mustang, but from what we understand, that vehicle will not represent a “pure” implementation of of the CD6 architecture. Instead, the S650 pony will continue utilizing a specific platform with elements borrowed from CD6, as well as other models.
The CD6 is a scalable vehicle architecture designed to underpin mid-size and full-size vehicles of all types. It succeeds the Ford CD3, CD4, D3, D4 platforms and is currently used for SUVs only.
One of the primary purposes of the Ford CD6 platform is to drive scale economies even further by sharing parts with other vehicles. In that regard, CD6 is not so much a platform as it is a flexible vehicle set – a characteristic that allows it to share many parts in what would traditionally be disparate vehicles and platforms.
One of its key features is its ability to support both transverse, front-wheel-drive, or longitudinal rear-wheel-drive powerplants, allowing it to adapt to all types of applications. However, at least for now, it doesn’t appear that Ford intends to use it as such.
We’ll have more on the future of the CD6 Platform soon, so be sure to subscribe to Ford Authority for ongoing Ford news coverage.
Comments
Ford should let Lincoln use it for a Luxury Sedan and Coupe Flagship Continental
Just so 100% agree Roy. S-doors on the sedan (without the window frames)>Lincoln ’62-’69
Something classy like Merc/BMW/AUDI/Jaguar/Maserati for both.
Perhaps based on the Mustang platform Air Suspension. Aluminum/Carbon Fiber.
& maybe some other ideas for anything missed.
Scott am on board it’s got to be 1st Class and Unique. Lincoln has to go all out leave no stone unturned for it to be a 10year hit with minor changes.
I feel Lincoln so need to do this to survive, Roy.! Amen.
They better be designing a sedan for both the Ford and Lincoln markets. If not, say bye-bye to 25%-35% of the total market when existing FOMOCO sedan owners find out there’s no replacement in their lineup. Speaking for me, there will probably never be an SUV and certainly never a pickup truck in my garage. The marketing guys should know how hard it is to increase market share. With their current plans, they’re going to soon find out how easy it is to lose it.
Tom your right, it’s said that Ford will get a 4door sedan /coupe Mustang so adding a Flagship Lincoln Sedan is a no brainer