Lincoln's new naming system, change for Zephyr to MKZ
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Hebron, KY
Lincoln's new naming system, change for Zephyr to MKZ
When Ford's luxury Lincoln division introduced its crossover replacement for the Aviator sport/ute at last month's Detroit auto show, it also revealed a new vehicle naming system.
As such, Aviator became the 2007 MKX (Mark X), but Lincoln folks said the all-new Zephyr sedan would keep its name because the company had far too much invested in it.
Forget all that, because the 2007 model eschews the now-known Zephyr name for MKZ (Mark Z). MKZ also gets optional all-wheel drive and a standard 3.5-liter V6 producing at least 250 hp compared to the 3.0-liter, 221-hp V6 it had shared with the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan.
The vehicle's front fascia will also be redesigned.
Lincoln sold 4,985 Zephyrs in 2005 and 2,692 units in January.
As such, Aviator became the 2007 MKX (Mark X), but Lincoln folks said the all-new Zephyr sedan would keep its name because the company had far too much invested in it.
Forget all that, because the 2007 model eschews the now-known Zephyr name for MKZ (Mark Z). MKZ also gets optional all-wheel drive and a standard 3.5-liter V6 producing at least 250 hp compared to the 3.0-liter, 221-hp V6 it had shared with the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan.
The vehicle's front fascia will also be redesigned.
Lincoln sold 4,985 Zephyrs in 2005 and 2,692 units in January.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 826
From: No where
Re: Lincoln's new naming system, change for Zephyr to MKZ
Changing name to letters does not sell cars. I hate that Domestics are losing some of their identity by do this. Mabye I'm old school, but Zephyr sounds classier than MKZ.
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,165
From: Sterling Heights, MI
Re: Lincoln's new naming system, change for Zephyr to MKZ
A new front fascia after 1 year on the market? 
I dunno, the Zephyr ("MKZ", whatever
) just seems like such a mediocre product. 2,000 sales last month won't get the job done. Lincoln is behind the times, a FWD luxury sedan just doesn't attract the successful younger buyers everyone craves. I would've thought a redesign of the LS was a no-brainer.
I dunno, the Zephyr ("MKZ", whatever
) just seems like such a mediocre product. 2,000 sales last month won't get the job done. Lincoln is behind the times, a FWD luxury sedan just doesn't attract the successful younger buyers everyone craves. I would've thought a redesign of the LS was a no-brainer.
Disciple
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 873
From: Chicagoland, IL www.5thGen.org
Re: Lincoln's new naming system, change for Zephyr to MKZ
I hate to see the Lincoln LS go away, it's a great car!
These new FWD-based Lincolns aren't gonna get the job done.
Zephyr (MKZ) is mediocre at best.
I think the new MKS looks pretty good
But is it AWD standard? or FWD standard/AWD optional?
These new FWD-based Lincolns aren't gonna get the job done.
Zephyr (MKZ) is mediocre at best.
I think the new MKS looks pretty good
But is it AWD standard? or FWD standard/AWD optional?
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
Re: Lincoln's new naming system, change for Zephyr to MKZ
Zephyr was a lot better name than MKZ. MKZ is very forgetable. I can't even remember the new Aviators name off the top of my head. The reason companies with alpha-numaric names do better than Lincoln isn't because of the names, it is because they are better cars. Just look at how wildly popular the Escalade and Navigator are, and those are newer from the ground up nameplates.
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Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,072
From: Lilburn, GA, USA
Re: Lincoln's new naming system, change for Zephyr to MKZ
What does everyone think of the new Lincoln interior style?
To me it doesn't seem sporty at all, nor does it seem luxurious. In addition to this, it looks old and more at home in a truck. I really don't see any of the buyers from the competition being lured to this car. It's a shame because Lincoln needs to get thier act together quick! They are becomming a total non competitor.
I can't believe that these days I now root for Ford when I used to curse them at every oportunity.
To me it doesn't seem sporty at all, nor does it seem luxurious. In addition to this, it looks old and more at home in a truck. I really don't see any of the buyers from the competition being lured to this car. It's a shame because Lincoln needs to get thier act together quick! They are becomming a total non competitor.
I can't believe that these days I now root for Ford when I used to curse them at every oportunity.
Disciple
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 873
From: Chicagoland, IL www.5thGen.org
Re: Lincoln's new naming system, change for Zephyr to MKZ
I agree, the new Lincolns inside and out are un-inspiring.
But at least they're not blatant re-badges like Mercury is.
Lincoln is just trying to copy Cadillac with the naming structure heh.
But at least they're not blatant re-badges like Mercury is.
Lincoln is just trying to copy Cadillac with the naming structure heh.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,646
From: Portland, OR
Re: Lincoln's new naming system, change for Zephyr to MKZ
Originally Posted by SNEAKY NEIL
What does everyone think of the new Lincoln interior style?
To me it doesn't seem sporty at all, nor does it seem luxurious. In addition to this, it looks old and more at home in a truck. I really don't see any of the buyers from the competition being lured to this car. It's a shame because Lincoln needs to get thier act together quick! They are becomming a total non competitor.
I can't believe that these days I now root for Ford when I used to curse them at every oportunity.
To me it doesn't seem sporty at all, nor does it seem luxurious. In addition to this, it looks old and more at home in a truck. I really don't see any of the buyers from the competition being lured to this car. It's a shame because Lincoln needs to get thier act together quick! They are becomming a total non competitor.
I can't believe that these days I now root for Ford when I used to curse them at every oportunity.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,165
From: Sterling Heights, MI
Re: Lincoln's new naming system, change for Zephyr to MKZ
Never was a fan of Cadillac's alphanumeric switch either. For some reason I can keep them straight however. Maybe it's just the GM fan in me.
Lincoln really hasn't been relative in the luxury market for years. Such a shame. To me, Ford has too much luxury going on with their PAG. Too much luxury and too few dollars to spend on each. Just look at the Mark LT truck. They still apparently haven't figured out that no one is interested in a gussied up F150 with a premium price tag.
Lincoln really hasn't been relative in the luxury market for years. Such a shame. To me, Ford has too much luxury going on with their PAG. Too much luxury and too few dollars to spend on each. Just look at the Mark LT truck. They still apparently haven't figured out that no one is interested in a gussied up F150 with a premium price tag.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,030
From: Frankfort, KY U.S.A.
Re: Lincoln's new naming system, change for Zephyr to MKZ
I am no expert, but changing the name of a car overnight is not a good idea, especially a car that has not been out long. At least Cadillac did it when new models were introduced or got redesigns.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Re: Lincoln's new naming system, change for Zephyr to MKZ
Originally Posted by 30thZ286speed
I am no expert, but changing the name of a car overnight is not a good idea, especially a car that has not been out long. At least Cadillac did it when new models were introduced or got redesigns.
With the 3 bar Ford grill, the MK designation for all Lincolns, using the FWD Volvo structure as a standardbearer for large sedans while killing off the excellent RWD LS, and seemingly putting off the RWD Mercury sedan, and actually paying attention to people that propose replacing the Crown Vic and Town Car with yet another FWD Volvo based car, one really has to wonder if Bill Ford is perhaps letting his desperation get the best of his car sense.
He's been a car guy from the start. I get a feeling he's letting "experts" ruin the company in exchange for profits.
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