Spy Shots: Ford Flex-based crossover for Lincoln
by John Neff on Jan 4th 2008 at 2:28PM 
click above for more spy shots
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]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Benfolio 2:34PM (1/04/2008)
Those wheels are teh sex!
The rest, not so much.
Reply
AlfaMike 11:07AM (1/05/2008)
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 6:20PM (1/05/2008)
I feel like it's going to eat me. And I'm not a small guy. (Just over 6')
Austin 2:36PM (1/04/2008)
its just like the flex mules that we saw a year ago
Reply
Alex Nunez 2:40PM (1/04/2008)
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...
Reply
skeptic 2:42PM (1/04/2008)
that looks like a taurus X/Freestyle to me....not a Flex.
Reply
Mr. Blake 8:06PM (1/04/2008)
"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 10:44PM (1/04/2008)
D'oh.....guess i missed that line - my bad.
Kowell 2:43PM (1/04/2008)
The side photo looks like it's just a rebadged Taurux X
Reply
TBlueMax 2:47PM (1/04/2008)
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.
Reply
Dave Roy 2:50PM (1/04/2008)
Looks like a cow-catcher on a steam locomotive.
Moooo !
Reply
DanMan 2:52PM (1/04/2008)
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!!!!"
Reply
3cubed minus 3squared plus1 2:51PM (1/04/2008)
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.
Reply
Shawn 2:56PM (1/04/2008)
This is a mule on a Taurus X body
Reply
Mercury Fan Forever 3:01PM (1/04/2008)
This should be a Mercury not a damn Lincoln.
Reply
Benfolio 3:05PM (1/04/2008)
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 3:11PM (1/04/2008)
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 3:15PM (1/04/2008)
I agree Dan.
Benfolio 3:01PM (1/04/2008)
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.
Reply
Mercury Fan Forever 3:07PM (1/04/2008)
This is why Mercury is going to get the axe because they dont have any new products on the way.
Reply