I thought about this before ripping into the Lincoln truck... but at least GM went to the length of giving totally different front ends to all three divisions... also different taillights...

The Lincoln, at leats from that picture, literally has a different grille from the F150... and that is it.

 

WELL STATED. We have all made our comments on this board about judgements made based on a picture, haven't we?

Again, I don't want to sound like I'm defending it or even that I like it (I'm not sure I really do), I just don't want folks in here thinking that Ford didn't WANT to do something better. I think their resources are/were very limited for these sorts of projects, and that an "F150 with a different grill" is not such a bizarre pill to swallow in the US luxury truck market. Given the success of the Escalade, Denali, Navigator, King Ranch, and various high-end import offerings, I feel confident that these Lincoln trucks will sell - but how many I DON'T know! My bet is not very many, so the shared platform and sheetmetal will help defray costs greatly.

Catch 22, isn't it?

 

While i agree that the escalade/escalade ext is a rebadging, one thing GM does to distinguish a bit more, is put the 345 hp h.o. 6 liter motor in them as well as AWD. I believe the only other vehicle with that motor is the Silverado SS.

I didn't see a motor upgrade listed for that lincoln truck, and I don't see it competing or selling well if it doesn't have one. Although its towing and cargo capabilities may help it sell if those 2 features beat what the cadillac competitors offer.

 

I think the Aviator is a much better look for Lincoln after their list of "blah" front ends (yes, I'm aware I'm probally the only one here that actually is intrigued by the thing).

The Mark X is also a pretty good move for Lincoln. The Thunderbird was miscast IMHO, and either should of had more juice or stayed around as a RWD coupe.

A 2 passenger luxury convertible is a better Lincoln than a Ford.

 

The new '04 F-150 has a substantially upgraded 5.4L available over the base 4.6 V8. I assume this new 5.4-3V will be base engine in the Lincoln truck, with perhaps the S/C 5.4 from the Harley F-150 available as optional ( it is already a bolt-in).

I dunno - I've been studying the cars this week, not the trucks!

 

Thanks Darth.

ProudPony, that's what I'm talking about. The Escalade would NOT be confused with a Chevy Tahoe, at least up close. Cadillac at least popped for different sheet metal all around. And as far as platforms go, Sigma is exclusively Cadillac and for the first time in 50 years Corvette is sharing its platform with someone else. This is what I'm talking about when I say that GM is putting the investment, and the swagger, into its luxury division to make it better while it doesn't appear on the surface that Ford is doing the same for Lincoln. I don't mean to bash on Lincoln too hard but I really do think they're only fooling themselves if they honestly believe you can compete in the luxury market with obvious re-badge jobs of lower end products.

By the way, how's about a new Town Car to go against the Deville, or a redesign of the LS? Two things Lincoln desperately needs, not more luxo-trucks. JMO I guess.

 

It seems that in reguards to the passenger vehicles, Ford is not doing the right thing here. With Cadillac, the platform is made for the luxury vehicles (CTS, SRX, maybe even XLR) and then spread down to other vehicles. This way, you are starting with a great chassis and the other vehicles that go on that platform can benefit from that even if some of the sophistication does not translate. For is doing the opposite where an inexpensive chassis from "lower" vehicles is dressed up to perform high-end duties. It seems to me that the way GM is doing it is the way to go, not just because it is GM that is doing it, but because it makes sense.

 

Well, in doing that you're also making your "lesser" vehicles more expensive if you start with your best chassis and have it trickle down. I don't think there is a "right" or "wrong" way of doing it save having the money to keep a chassis like Cadillac -> Sigma totally exclusive. I'm just looking for more obvious separation from, say an F-150 to a Lincoln LT. I just don't think this'll work. Then again I could be wrong, Lincoln hit the mark in a big way with the original Navigator which I think varied little with the Expedition of the time.

 

isnt the LS RWD??

and something should be done to the siding to that truck..not just a grill..trying to follow in GM's steps..but not with a SUV but a pickup..

you know the Blackwood was a really nice truck..ever see it in person?? AWSOME..we saw one right next to a Harly Davidson pickup..they are nice..if Licoln put the HD interior and style to the Lincoln and you got a winner..

 

pic of front of the thunderbird..I mean lincoln..

kinda weird but I might like it...

http://www.autonews.com/files/2004NA...0/images/1.jpg

 

Lincoln needs to have a Mark.
That new Mark X looks too much like the Thunderbird... I think they need to differentiate it more. But at the same time it looks ok.

Now, the pickup truck thing... they need to fix their car line-up before they go trying new things... their first attempt at a pickup was a $100 Million flush down the toilet.

Hey Billy Jr... go have a talk with your Lincoln people!

 

The pics and details are coming in slowly but surely...
Different front-end - check Pic
Different tail lights - check pic
Upgraded interior - check (holy-chit is this nice!) pic
Upgraded engine - check.
Pricing under control - check (at least by rumors so far anyways)

I think we'll have to wait and see if this one flops like the Blackwood. I'm thinking this one's gonna do a little better.

So tell me again why this reskin job is so different from the GM way of doing it?

 

Proudpony,
when you say 'upgraded engine', do you mean it will have an engine that is NOT offered in the 2004 F-150?? Because the new 5.4 300 hp engine IS offered in the 2004 F-150...which means it would not be an upgrade. Where as the 345 HP escalade engine can only be had in the silverado SS.

If you aren't talking about the 5.4, then what is the engine?!?! I think that is what will make or break this truck.

 

I see they're still hanging on to the "Griswald Family Truckster"-style tail lights.

Maybe the task gets more difficult because there are fewer ways to differentiate a pickup...but I still see an awful lot of F-150 sheet metal on there. As I said, the Escalade and EXT got a different wrapper which carries the edgier Caddy design themes. But I have no doubt the LT, if built, will do better than Blackwood. The question of how much demand there will be for a luxury pickup will surely be answered.