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As we reported yesterday, Lincoln is likely to get a version of the seven-seat Flex crossover a year after it debuts with a Blue Oval badge. Here's verifiable proof. KGP Photographers have caught a Taurus X-based mule wearing Lincoln's new split grille that will first appear on the MKS sedan. We thought the new nose looked large on the MKS, but it's at least a foot tall for this application. Its oversized dimensions make the mule in these pics look like a humpback whale that's beached itself on an Arctic coast. Quick, somebody feed it some krill before it dies.While we can't say what the rest of the body will look like, don't expect it to share any body panels with the boxy Ford Flex. We envision a big, low-riding CUV with more flowing lines for Lincoln.
[Source: KGP Photography]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Benfolio @ Jan 4th 2008 2:34PM
Those wheels are teh sex!
The rest, not so much.
AlfaMike @ Jan 5th 2008 11:07AM
I agree the wheels are nice. But the front grille is scary bad.
Didn't Mitsubishi try this "melted snozz" look a few years ago and almost fall off the sales map with it? It's too bad whoever in Ford design thought this grille was a good idea can't be held accountable. That guy's a tool.
I predict lackluster Lincoln sales for the full five year design cycle, sadly. I guess since the interior's nice, it's a good option for people who never walk back to their car, who never have to see the exterior. Maybe it's aimed at sleepwalker/drivers.
Conor @ Jan 5th 2008 6:20PM
I feel like it's going to eat me. And I'm not a small guy. (Just over 6')
Austin @ Jan 4th 2008 2:36PM
its just like the flex mules that we saw a year ago
Alex Nunez @ Jan 4th 2008 2:40PM
This application of the new front end (from what can be seen through the mask) appears to be as dramatic as the MKR concept. If they really give the Linc a unique body, it could be very cool.
Now, I wonder when the Navigator loses its braces in favor if this look...
skeptic @ Jan 4th 2008 2:42PM
that looks like a taurus X/Freestyle to me....not a Flex.
Mr. Blake @ Jan 4th 2008 8:06PM
"KGP Photographers have caught a Taurus X-based mule wearing Lincoln's new split grille..."
Did you even read the article? It is a Taurus X body with a Linc grille. The whole thing looks to me like it is on the extended version of the D3 platform, which is what the Flex will ride on. The regular version is what the Taurus X (among others) uses.
skeptic @ Jan 4th 2008 10:44PM
D'oh.....guess i missed that line - my bad.
Kowell @ Jan 4th 2008 2:43PM
The side photo looks like it's just a rebadged Taurux X
TBlueMax @ Jan 4th 2008 2:47PM
Something about the proportion [of the grille] that looked great on the concept looks a bit off in this incarnation. Hopefully the final product will look significantly better.
Dave Roy @ Jan 4th 2008 2:50PM
Looks like a cow-catcher on a steam locomotive.
Moooo !
3cubed minus 3squared plus1 @ Jan 4th 2008 2:51PM
Thats because they don't want you to know what the shape of it will look like.
It looks nothing like that and nothing like the Flex.
DanMan @ Jan 4th 2008 2:52PM
Totally guys, that does look like a Taurus X with a chrome waterfall grille! Maybe its some kind of test mule for something else that Ford is trying to confuse us with. About a decade ago Ford had a TownCar test mule with a V12 (2 Duratec 6s welded together) in it running around their proving grounds. It was just an exercise to test the engine and the TownCar was the only thing it would fit into.
On AutoBlog it would be reported as "V12 TownCar Due Out By Next Year!!!!"
Shawn @ Jan 4th 2008 2:56PM
This is a mule on a Taurus X body
Benfolio @ Jan 4th 2008 3:01PM
Did any of you read the post or just look at the pics before you started blasting away at it?
It CLEARLY states is a Taurus X TEST MULE.
Probably testing cooling/airflow or something.
Sheesh.
Mercury Fan Forever @ Jan 4th 2008 3:01PM
This should be a Mercury not a damn Lincoln.
Benfolio @ Jan 4th 2008 3:05PM
Mercury is so close to getting the axe.... why bother coming out with new product. Besides, they have the Mariner. :)
BRING BACK THE MARAUDER!!!
DanMan @ Jan 4th 2008 3:11PM
Yeah Mercury Fan,
You must love that Ford announced (according to a previous post) that they want Lincoln to be the "volume leader" compared to Mercury. That is a total load of crap idea on their part. Ford should be #1 in their sales volume, Mercury should be #2, Lincoln should be #3 and very exclusive.
Mercury Fan Forever @ Jan 4th 2008 3:15PM
I agree Dan.
Mercury Fan Forever @ Jan 4th 2008 3:07PM
This is why Mercury is going to get the axe because they dont have any new products on the way.