We’re entering a new cycle of automotive fashionability as we speak
BMW is officially selling more M5 models as station wagons than as sedans, and Audi axed its RS 7 long ago in favor of its more family-friendly sibling, the RS 6 Avant. Just last week, Genesis stunned the world with the unveiling of their glorious new station wagon concept—the Genesis G90 Magma Wingback Concept—proving not only that athletic estate cars are becoming increasingly sought after by enthusiast buyers, but that automakers are actually taking notice. As we all know by now, North America stopped caring about sedans and hatchbacks many, many years ago (generally speaking), but it seems these days it’s not just whiny automotive journalists like me who have grown tired of crossovers, which often lack any emotional charisma.
Cole Attisha
Cole Attisha
Cole Attisha
When automobiles lack certain lovable imperfections, such as a Mazda MX-5’s feedback-rich body roll or the unorthodox roar of a Volkswagen VR6 engine, as so many modern crossovers seem to do, then those vehicles tend to be entirely unmemorable, and thus, over time, so too does the reputation of their respective brands. Lincoln is a prime example of an automaker that has forgotten the importance of keeping the world excited about what the company is up to. Just look at the contrast between Lincoln and Cadillac’s positions in the marketplace today. Cadillac sells even more leathered-up family-grade crossovers than Lincoln, but unlike Lincoln, those aren’t the vehicles anyone first thinks of when they hear the word “Cadillac.” No, instead, we think of the gorgeously innovative, hand-built Celestiq, and the stick-shifted, supercharged, V8-powered CT5-V Blackwing ode to Route 66 and the old-world automotive American dream. It’s because Cadillac has built its reputation on those models that hardly anyone bothers to buy the brand’s more lackluster offerings, like the pitiful XT4.
Station wagons are so hot right now
Nowadays, though, station wagons seem to be returning to fashion as a reaction to the growing distaste towards crossovers. For the most part, people seem to have long grown tired of the overplayed traditions of sedans and hatchbacks. Yet, they also miss the more agile driving dynamics that came before society was obsessed with needlessly raised suspensions, underpowered four-cylinder engines, and continuously variable transmissions in their so-called “SUVs.” So, station wagons seem to be the answer to society’s latest consumerism kerfuffle; give buyers the agility of a sedan and the practicality of a crossover. Boom, everyone wins. Finally, people might actually be coming to their senses. Suppose there’s anything valuable to be learned from the internet-breaking sensation that is the Genesis G90 Magma Wingback Concept. In that case, if a brand like Lincoln really wants to make a statement right now, then perhaps crafting a spiffed-up, fire-breathing, high-performance, family-hauling station wagon might be the best possible way to go about doing so.
So, with the help of Adobe Photoshop, Midjourney 7.0, and Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, I decided to take an imagined look at what a brand-new, high-performance station wagon halo car from Lincoln might look like. The following images, which display this deranged, maniacal creation, are purely fictional and do not depict any actual Lincoln or Ford Motor Company products.
Cole Attisha Using Adobe Photoshop, Midjourney 7.0, and Gemini 2.5 Flash Image
Here’s what Lincoln’s newest halo car could look like
Will Cadillac sell you a CT5-V Blackwing with 668 horsepower? Pfft. Imagine this thing with Ford’s “Predator” V8, which packed a 760-horsepower punch in the most recent iteration of the Mustang’s Shelby GT500 spinoff. If this ever became a reality, it might actually make the Cadillac Blackwing feel underpowered. Is that even possible? Who knows. What I do know, however, is that paired with rear-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, this wagon would absolutely decimate the CT5-V Blackwing on the drag strip, and most certainly in our hearts as well. Of course, a screaming V8-powered Lincoln wagon might be even more effective at capturing hearts with a proper, old-school manual gearbox.
Cole Attisha Using Adobe Photoshop, Midjourney 7.0, and Gemini 2.5 Flash Image
My, my, what a behind. Featuring the new-for-2026 Navigator’s signature rear taillight bar, an obligatorily long roof, four tailpipe exits, and gold-painted Special Edition Ford Mustang wheels, a heavy-hitting station wagon from Lincoln would be absolutely mesmerizing to the eye, but perhaps even more so to the right foot. After all, if it’s intent on borrowing parts from the recently (and unfortunately) discontinued Shelby GT500, Lincoln’s super wagon could boast heavy-duty Brembo brakes and a clever MagnaRide adaptive suspension, alongside extensive aerodynamic enhancement, to deliver a driving experience worth dying for.
Cole Attisha Using Adobe Photoshop, Midjourney 7.0, and Gemini 2.5 Flash Image
Final thoughts
Ford’s gone through all the trials and tribulations of developing its modern Mustang platform to deliver supreme rear-wheel-drive performance and proper V8 grunt, but why should they waste such exciting innovation on just one product, which grows ever more niche as time progresses? Now, recent rumors do suggest that Ford plans to release a four-door sedan variant of the Mustang in the near future, which would undoubtedly be a step in the right direction in terms of maximizing one of their sportiest platforms. Sounds great to me, but Ford, while you’re at it: show Lincoln some love, too. Please afford them the models they really deserve so the brand can receive the recognition that it’s genuinely earned, or at least once had.
It’s not that Lincoln’s crossovers and SUVs are unworthy—in fact, quite the opposite is true—it’s just that they’re not particularly exciting. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never been killing time, visualizing a car chase scene in my head, and then deciding to imagine myself running from the police, gangsters, zombies, or what have you, in a Lincoln Nautilus. No, because of course not, that’s what the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is for. Well, that’s exactly what Lincoln needs right now: the kind of car that people daydream about. In the current automotive landscape, that means a fast, fuel-thirsty station wagon, and I’m so here for it.
Do you think Lincoln should produce a supercharged, Predator-powered family hauler, or should they stick to crossovers and leave the big guns to General Motors? What would you want Lincoln to name such a thing if it were ever to be produced? Would you buy one of these if it packed a V8, or would you rather it had a boosted six-cylinder and all-wheel drive? Share your thoughts in the comments!
About the author
Cole Attisha
Staff Writer, Autoblog