Spied: Lincoln's Focus-based compact sedan

[warpath]

Just kill off the brand already if you're going to re-badge again...

Left Lane news: http://www.leftlanenews.com/spied-li...act-sedan.html

Our spy photographers have just sent us the first ever pictures of Lincoln's long-rumored Ford Focus-based compact luxury sedan.

The yet un-named Focus-based Lincoln is clearly still in the early development phase, with the car sporting a collection of Focus and prototype parts. However, a closer look at the car's camouflaged front ends reveals this isn't just an update for the current Focus.



Peaking out from beneath the camo is a set of decidedly up-scale looking projector headlights, not unlike the ones used on the new Lincoln MKZ. Another telltale sign that this is a Lincoln in testing is the car's front grille – whereas Ford products are moving to an Aston Martin-like grille treatment, the car spotted today was sporting an MKZ-like “winged” unit.

Out back there appear to be more changes, as evidenced by the heavy use of camouflage, but it is difficult to make out any specific styling tweaks. However, just as the MKZ is slightly longer than its Ford Fusion counterpart, we suspect the Focus-based Lincoln could grow by a few inches to accommodate Lincoln's new design language.

The Focus-based Lincoln isn't expected to bow until the 2016 model year, but we could get an inside glimpse at the project through Lincoln's upcoming MKC concept, which is scheduled to debut at next week's Detroit auto show.

[JC]

I don't think it's a bad idea but I sure hope that's not the final body shape. I'm guessing it's just a mule at this point though.

[Ysidro]

Whats a Lincoln? yawn...

[plunk10]

Lincoln Catera, the Linky that zigs!

[JustyWRC]

I would like to joke that it is a Ford product. Isn't even production yet, and is broke down on the back of a tow truck.....


Sorry

[hi5.0]

They should give this one AWD and boost to further differentiate it from the Focus. Sort of take up where Volvo left off with the S40 T5 (2nd gen chassis was also the base for previous generation Euro-spec Focus and Mazda 3).

[SCRAPPYDO]

now sure how I feel about this. Ford has vowed to reinvigorate Lincoln and spent over 2 billion to do it. The focus platform is very good, but a quick grill change may not be enough

However, I ask the ladies and gentlemen of the jury, how well is the VERANO doing? If it was successful, then that bodes well for this car. In the compact segment, there is not a whole lot of room for profit. So you have to make something else work.

VW manages well with that new VFQ (or something chassis) for darn near all its future cars. So perhaps ford will do well with the focus chassis badged as a lincoln

[White out]

This is not going to be good.