Lincoln Debuts Mazda6-Based Midsize Sedan in New York

While the Mazda6 donor car is extremely well put together for its middleclass target customer, with better perceived interior quality than some current Lincolns, the brand plans to up the quality of materials and fit and finish to compete more directly with European

Lincoln plans to have the Zephyr compete against European and Asian luxury imports. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

and Asian luxury imports. To achieve this Lincoln will design unique surface treatments with higher quality plastics, brushed aluminum and chrome accents, plus richer leather and carpeting.

"Our strategy is to put the money where it counts - on the visual parts and key touch zones," stated Paul Mascarenas, executive director-medium, large, front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive platforms, in the March edition of Ford's internal publication, Ford World.

"We also have a very clear strategy to differentiate across our three

The Zephyr prototype hides its Mazda underpinnings well. It will be interesting to see if the production version is as carefully put together. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada)

brands. To make the interiors affordable, we are driving commonality in areas the customers do not see - seat frames, instrument panel structures, switch hardware and so on," added Mascarenas.

The Lincoln sedan will also feature an all-wheel drivetrain, being that front-wheel drive does not associate well with luxury anymore.

No one who saw the Zephyr unveiled in New York City could have guessed where it derives its underpinnings, boding well for Lincoln's ability to achieve top-drawer, all-American appearances from its Asian subsidiary. The final product, of course, will be more telling.