The midsize, five-passenger Zephyr concept is widely understood (wink-wink, nudge-nudge) to represent a very good idea of what the entry-level luxury sedan will look like when it goes into production in 2005.
It's set to hit one of the industry's ''sweet spots,'' which involves sport sedans above $40,000 here in Canada. This includes such models as the Acura TL, BMW 3-series, Cadillac CTS, Infiniti G35, Mercedes-Benz C-class, Saab 9.3 and others.
The production Zephyr will be a ''premium sedan with features that assure comfort and refinement worthy of a Lincoln,'' says Martens. ''Just as significantly, it also introduces the design elegance and refinement that have made Lincoln Navigator and Aviator such desirable nameplates.''
According to Darryl Hazel, president of the Lincoln Mercury division, the Zephyr ''fits perfectly with the brand's strategy of providing additional entry points to draw new customers into the Lincoln showroom.''
Hazel feels compelled to address the Mazda6 issue himself, noting that the Zephyr is ''a clear example of how we are able to bring exciting new products to the Lincoln stable by leveraging efficiencies throughout the Ford Motor Company organization.''
Hazel maintains that this kind of car is exactly what Lincoln needs, saying that ''these great new products and the new customers they will attract are at the core of the Lincoln renaissance.''
The person charged with selling the Zephyr when it arrives next year, product marketing manager Mark Birnhart, maintains that ''Zephyr has all the design and comfort leadership that consumers expect from a Lincoln, but in a new segment that is more accessible to young professionals. This is definitely the most youthful of all Lincolns,'' he says. ''It's all about great, elegant design, exceptional comfort and a youthful attitude.''
Birnhalt says that Zephyr's ''confident stance is wide and planted, suggesting a bold and aggressive attitude. It is instantly recognizable as a member of the Lincoln family -- note the distinctive chrome waterfall grille and marquee placement of the Lincoln star emblems front and rear.''
While ''design statements such as the bold horizontal lines of the taillamps and grille reinforce its athleticism,'' Birnhalt says, ''the Lincoln Zephyr establishes its sport sedan persona with geometric elements such as a steeply raked windshield, strong horizontal themes and wide, large-diameter, spoked alloy wheels.''