Will Lincoln's Next Town Car be based on a Stretched, AWD, V8-Powered Ford Five Hundred?

The Panther obviously should be laid to rest. Its perimeter-frame chassis, non-independent suspension and low rigidity can only provide a certain degree of comfort, which is easily outclassed by the more advanced competition. This chassis is well behind the

If Ford seriously want Lincoln to compete with Cadillac, keeping the old Panther-based chassis shouldn't be an option. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

times, and even if it upgraded it will only continue to keep Lincoln lagging behind its rapidly evolving arch-nemesis, Cadillac. It does, however, provide an excellent base for building limousines.

But as always, important decisions in the automotive world are shrouded in a blanket of mystery. Mascarenas commented, "We are not scheduled to decide until probably around the third quarter of next year, when we have to have a firm decision and an approved program." It is speculated that there are several other alternative plans on hand; however this information was not disclosed. Rumor has it that Ford might even borrow from its Australian division for their midsize rear-wheel drive Falcon platform.

Whichever plan is followed through, it will be some time before we see a replacement Town Car appear. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

Insiders are expecting not only the Town Car, but the successor to the underperforming midsize LS will use the Five Hundred's midsize platform. This would effectively sever the ties between Lincoln and Ford's Premium Auto Group, as the current LS uses the Jaguar-developed S-Type platform.

Mascarenas stated that the Lincoln brand is focused "on what is the best we can do with what we've got, as opposed to looking for yet new, more different design architectures." This could be a part of the rationale behind the decision to base the 2006 Zephyr off the Mazda 6 platform, and the next generation North American Ford Focus off its existing platform as opposed to the European C1 chassis.

Whichever plan is followed through, it will be some time before we see a replacement Town Car appear. Development, design and testing of the vehicle, as well as a retooling for production at Ford's Atlanta plant would mean a debut in 2007, or 2008. Until then, limousine shuttle services, funeral homes and baby boomers must make do with this comfortable but simple all-American luxury vehicle.