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| Lincoln's full-size Navigator easily competes head-to-head with Cadillac's Escalade SUV. While not as daring in design on the outside the Lincoln's interior is superb, leaving its truck roots far behind. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
Ford's top brand includes only four models, the Town Car, LS, Navigator and new Explorer based Aviator. Cadillac on the other hand boasts five (or six depending how you look at it) including the CTS, Seville, DeVille, Escalade and Escalade EXT while a long wheelbase version of its large SUV is available too, dubbed Escalade ESV. GM is also bringing two new models to market this year, the Corvette based XLR roadster and car-like XRS midsize SUV. Plans to continue the brand upmarket with a Mercedes-Benz S-Class competitor along the lines of the recently introduced Sixteen concept are also in the works while the on again off again Cien mid-engine V12 supercar is an enthusiast's tease. If the car doesn't make it to production its 'Displacement-on-Demand' V12 will.
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| Last year's Continental concept is probably Lincoln's most promising design. It pulls some of the brand's best design cues from the past while still appearing thoroughly modern. (Photo: Ford Motor) |
Lincoln has no plans to match Cadillac up the feeding chain or for that matter, across the Atlantic into Europe. Regarding Ford's decision to not go global Scheele stated, "The economics... demonstrated it just couldn't happen."
All is not gloom and doom for North America's number two domestic luxury brand however. Chris Theodore, North American Product Development Chief, hints that two of its recent concept vehicles could make it into production in the near future. The first, a reincarnated early '60s Continental bearing the same name pulls some of Lincoln's best design cues from the past and combines them with a thoroughly modern styling approach. It could do a great deal to revitalize the brand's fortunes.