Hot Rod Turbo Zephyr/MKZ in the works?

[Led Zephyrlin]

I found something interesting last night when I went to the Lincoln website and checked out the Zephyr. When I cliked on the link from the main page a survey popped up, I was curious what it was about so I agreed to take it. To my surprise one of the questions they asked where if given the option of a hyper 3.5 liter twin turbo V6pushing 350 HP and 325 Torque for $5k MSRP would I be interested. Of course I said yes. Then as I proceeded another question came up saying what gas mileage to HP ratio would you most likely consider and there were HP tourque ranges from 275/250 all the way up to 375/350.

I could not help but think to myself wow I hope an AWD MKZ hot rod shows up on the market. I think that would be just the thing to demand respect from the naysaying anti-zephyrites.

[GorgeZeph]

Great!!!!!!!

I would really enjoy that!!! Wonder if they'll have a 3.0 version that we can use on the cars we already own..... I really don't feel like trade in yet......

[Led Zephyrlin]

I wish but unfortunately if we did supercharge ours it would void or warranty. Would have been nice for Lincoln to release these packages earlier but I think any twin turbo version is at least 2 years away and at which time could be a replacement for the one I have now. Next year the 3.5L will be standard and perhaps later in the year they will release an MKZ SVT LMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ. Geez I wish they would just keep the Zephyr name. Go to the website though and take the survey, the more people that vote the better chance it has to become reality.

[pro-five-oh]

Where is the survey? Lincoln did one a few weeks back (I posted it in the lounge) and it was a less than subtle survey that determined the future of their Ford Five Hundred-derived plans.

That survey seemed to ask what direction the Lincoln MKS (not MKZ, the other sedan) should go, and right now it looks like a 4.4L v8 and AWD is it. The FWD version that would replace the Town Car is thankfully dead in the water.

[Led Zephyrlin]

If you go to Lincoln.com and slick on the link to view the Zephyr it will generate a pop in window asking to take a survey.

[pro-five-oh]

Hmm, when I try I can't get to it!! I'll try again later. :(

[Led Zephyrlin]

It may have only been a week long thing or something. Not sure but you know I voted for the biggest baddest engine they could fit in it.

[Sysanalyst]

I, the naysaying anti-zephyrite, would really appreciate a high power supercharged/turbocharged vehicle with AWD. A larger version of the Mitsubiti EVO/Subaru WRXTi would be a neat vehicle from Lincoln. Go Lincoln!

[Led Zephyrlin]

That is kinda what I would love to see. Just not as stiff as the two models you pointed out. A friend at work has an Evo and my god that thing rides like a log wagon. Of course, at the same time it pulls some serious G's on the skidpad before breaking loose think it was aroun 2.1 G which is nasty. Anyway, I would love to see it happen and I think it will given time. Lincoln already has AWD and a 3.5 in the MKZ/Zephyr for next year so that much is already in place. If the market will just find itself wanting the big bad Zeph it will come to pass.

[GorgeZeph]

I still think that Lincoln needs a SVT/Mazdaspeed version of its own. It would be a nice answer to the M type, AMG, CTS-V, etc. I don't want a "tuner", but look at the CTS-V or BMW M type..... Nice, classy, and very fast...

Part two of the equation is the marketing aspect. We can avoid the dumb drifting in the ballroom like Caddy did.... I'm thinking that SCCA support for road race and maybe Pro Rally. That would take Audi and Subaru on in their strong suite.

BTW- I was able to get my two cents in on the survey. Thanks for the heads up

[Led Zephyrlin]

I still think that Lincoln needs a SVT/Mazdaspeed version of its own. It would be a nice answer to the M type, AMG, CTS-V, etc. I don't want a "tuner", but look at the CTS-V or BMW M type..... Nice, classy, and very fast...


BTW- I was able to get my two cents in on the survey. Thanks for the heads up

Part 1: exactly what I was thinking. Not tunerish but bad asse none the less.

Part 2: I am glad you had the chance to put in your $.02 That is exactly why I posted it here. I wanted to get as many current and potential future Zephyr owners that are of the younger crowd to get in there and vote. I personally would love to see a super quick version available.

[pro-five-oh]

SVT is commited to making the Mustang and one future truck. Other than that, Ford is completely out of the performance car business.

It isn't that a Mazda 6 version of the MKZ wouldn't work, the problem is Ford is broke. Their stock took another nose-dive last week.

[Led Zephyrlin]

Lincoln has nothing to do with SVT and never have. Well other than both being divisions of Ford. What impact would you think that SVT has on what is already being developed in Mazda and would be a simple transplant into either the Lincoln or the Focus. If you haven't realized it SVT is already dead and nothing more than a savvy brand name used to lure people onto the lots. Shelby designed the Cobra SVT merely had a small input into it. The last of the true SVT vehicles dies with the Ford GT this year.

I can understand why you would think that there is no chance of a twin turbo platform, but in reality the drivetrain already exists in the MazdaSpeed 6. It is no secret Mazda has intentions of adding turbo to the platform. It just depends on if Lincoln can make the deal happen.

[GorgeZeph]

Ford has been in and out of the performance biz so many times in its history. So, when is the next round? I think that right now the focus (no pun) is on fuel economy. Remember the 70's?

But I hope that when times get tough, the company will listen to the people buying the cars. Luxery and performance go together.

So don't call it SVT, call it Mark SVspeed!

[Led Zephyrlin]

I like that Gorge.

I have been closely following the SVT issues lately. From what I can tell without alot of inside information it appears that the current SVT Cobra aptly named the Shelby GT500 is mainly a product of Carroll Shelby. There is word that the next Lightning truck could be a joint venture with SVT and Rousch or SVT and Shelby. Again, this looks like the bulk of the work is going to be on the partner company.

Who knows how it will all unfold? But it appears that if this is the stance that SVT is going to take on vehicles in the immediate future, any SVT Fusion/Milan/MKZ offerings are going to come from another source other than a true SVT garage. I say watch MazdaSpeed and see what happens.