Back in the ’70s, Lincoln customers could buy the De Tomaso Pantera from Lincoln dealerships, giving the brand some appeal in the sports car department. That only lasted until about 1975 when poor response due to quality issues in the vehicle made Ford back out of their agreement to sell the Pantera, leaving Lincoln with only full-size models. With most brands providing a wide array of vehicular options, Lincoln has slowly but surely been sinking into a hole that only drastic changes can get them out.
These changes are more or less what the company is working on now with plans to introduce seven new or revamped vehicles in the next three years. One of these vehicles is rumored to be a 200 mph two-seat sports car which seems a little out of their reach, but may just be possible. If produced, this new sports car may feature a supercharged V-6 to complement the V8 found in Ford’s GT model.
In addition to the new sports car, Ford is also planning on juicing up the technology found in their Lincolns. During a recent interview with Automotive News, Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s global product czar, said that "there will be technology that will be unique to Lincoln." He noted that Lincolns of the near future could be fitted with electronic PRNDL (park, reverse, neutral, drive, low), which would "provide a truly unique design and interior."
Lincoln hopes to pleasantly surprise their existing customers with this new technology, but also hopes to engage new buyers. New technology on a 200mph two-seat sports car? That’s a good way to start if they are indeed capable of pulling it off.
Note: Photo is of the DeTomaso Pantera.
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