Lincoln's new compact CUV ventures out with relatively little camouflage. Photo credit: Jim Dunne CAR SPY
Once one of the dominant luxury brands, Lincoln has slipped into near obscurity, in recent years, as it’s been passed by BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus as well as cross-town rival Cadillac.
Part of the problem has been a lack of a competitive product portfolio. But now, Ford Motor Co. seems intent on giving Lincoln what it needs with an assortment of offerings that will cover a lot more white space over the next few years.
The turnaround effort gets seriously underway in 2013 with the launch of an all-new Lincoln MKZ and is followed by, among other critical additions, an all-new sport-utility vehicle — shown here.
The Lincoln crossover shares its underlying architecture with the new Ford Escape Photo credit: Jim Dunne CAR SPY.
Here’s a look at what Lincoln is planning for the small SUV market of 2014. Or, to be more precise, a crossover-utility vehicle. This prototype is based on the 2013 Ford Escape architecture (wheelbase, drive train, 2-/4-wheel drive, 5-place seating, four cylinder engine, elevated seating position). That means it gets the same car-like layout as Escape, which shifted this year from traditional truck to CUV design, with its weight, handling and fuel economy advantages.
Interesting styling details that set this model apart from current Lincolns – as well as from the Ford Escape — include: departure from wing-shape grille opening; grille patterned after big Lincoln Navigator; boxy rear cargo shape instead of curved roof of Escape; projector headlights; upscale wheel material/design.
Note the contrast between Escape (the adjacent vehicle in the front view) and Lincoln in greenhouse design and roof rack strip (better aero).
Lincoln is expected to maintain its other utes, including the big MKT and Navigator, though both will be getting their own refreshes by mid-decade.
The Escape-based CUV could prove particularly important, however. Lincoln has, after years of dithering, decided to finally go global, a move that will soon start with its launch in China and eventually see it reach other key markets where compact offerings should gain more traction than the brand’s traditional, large products.
Incidentally, Lincoln has just gotten a new global boss in the form of Jim Farley, Ford’s global marketing chief. He will now add shepherding the luxury brand to his daily assignment list.
(For more on the management shift that put Jim Farley in control of Lincoln, Click Here.)
This might be the new Edge instead of the Lincoln. Look very closely at the front end camo: you can make out what appears to be the Ford oval, and you can also make out what appears to be the new Ford ‘Aston’ grill countours as well.
We will try to get an explanation from our spy shooter.
Thanks for the comments!
Paul A. Eisenstein
Publisher, TheDetroitBureau.com.
Its the Ford Territory from Australia! Designed off the Ford Falcon Sedan. follow the link http://www.drivethecars.net/images/Ford-Territory_2012_photo_01.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/2011_Ford_Territory_(SZ)_Titanium_TDCi_wagon_(2011-11-17)_02.jpg
If you say they are going to use it for the lincoln, that would be good for AUS. We have many other nice cars you guys would like just check out this website: http://www.fpv.com.au
This vehicle is a Ford SZ Territory from Australia, based on the Australian Ford Falcon architecture. Has been in production in Australian since 2004. The vehicle in the photographs are the new SZ model released in Australia last year. Interesting to see one in the US.
Guys it’s the current ford territory from Australia. I’d imagine doing some crash testing.
Hence the lack of camo and RHD.
Cheers
Don’t get so excited guys.
It’s an Australian model named the Territory,
Been out for a few years now.
http://www.ford.com.au/suv/territory
Sory to burst your bubble guys but you are way off the mark.
This is a ford Territory sz from Australia!
Built of the falcon sedan platform.
This is Ford Australia’s Territory SUV which is RWD/AWD and is based off the falcon platform…
The car is the Australian Ford Territory that was released in 2011. Google it and see. Who knows what its doing over there.
Its not a Lincoln or an edge, it’s an Australian Built Ford Territory. No idea why it’s in the US. But it’s not something ‘new’ for your market. Obviously either crash testing or new engine testing.
http://www.ford.com.au/suv/territory
It’s also clearly right hand drive.
Its a Territory you morons.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Territory
Whats it doing in the US? Could it be a powertrain update?