Lincoln plans Mustang-based rear-wheel drive coupe for 2016
Ford is considering a Lincoln coupe based on the next-generation Mustang, with the project’s future tied to the success of the MKZ and MKD.
Ford is evaluating a plan to launch a Lincoln coupe built on the next-generation Mustang’s rear-wheel drive platform, with the project’s fate closely linked to the commercial success of the new MKZ and upcoming MKD models.
The proposal, reported by Ford Inside News, would see Lincoln return to the premium coupe segment with a rear-wheel drive model. The car would be positioned above the Mustang in terms of luxury and refinement, but would retain the Mustang’s sporting underpinnings. Sources suggest the Lincoln coupe would feature a longer wheelbase than the Ford, offering more interior space and a distinct profile.
Project hinges on MKZ and MKD
Ford’s commitment to the Lincoln coupe is not yet final. The company is monitoring the market performance of the 2013 Lincoln MKZ and the forthcoming MKD crossover. If these models succeed in reversing Lincoln’s recent sales decline in the US, the coupe will move forward. If not, Ford may reconsider its investment in new Lincoln products. The MKZ, already on sale, and the MKD, expected to arrive in showrooms soon, represent Ford’s attempt to revitalise its luxury division.
Rear-wheel drive and Mustang roots
The Lincoln coupe would be based on the platform underpinning the next-generation Ford Mustang, due for the 2015 model year. This architecture supports rear-wheel drive, a configuration that would set the Lincoln apart from most rivals in the segment, which typically use front-wheel drive layouts. The coupe would offer buyers a more traditional grand touring experience, with the potential for powerful engine options and sharper handling than Lincoln’s current range.
Lincoln’s coupe ambitions in context
Lincoln has not offered a rear-wheel drive coupe since the discontinuation of the Mark VIII in 1998. A new model would mark a return to a segment that has seen renewed interest, particularly in the US market. The decision to use the Mustang’s platform would allow Ford to share development costs and streamline production, while giving Lincoln a credible base for a performance-oriented luxury coupe.
No technical specifications or design details have been released. The project remains at the planning stage, with further information expected if the MKZ and MKD meet Ford’s sales targets. For context on the Mustang platform and its evolution, see Ford prices 2015 Mustang from $24,425 in the US.
