As we saw yesterday with the (very) limited-edition coach-door Continental, sometimes an automaker finally produces what the people cried out for… years earlier.
One wonders what the demand for this suicide-door sedan might have been had Lincoln decided to launch it alongside the regular model back in 2016. Those rear doors are tailor-made for a low-angle exit shots outside the club in any number of music videos. As well, overseas executives in a certain People’s Republic might have found the additional rear legroom quite appealing — and exclusive.
But Lincoln deserves kudos for going the extra mile and actually altering the platform and body of a car to make its door wish (your door wish?) come true. This wasn’t just an engine swap or some other minor alteration that leaves the car’s overall dimensions intact. Lincoln put this sedan on the taffy puller for you. Which begs the question: if other mainstream automakers were willing to go the Lincoln route, what type of limited-edition variant would you demand of them?
I know what Adam Tonge wants, as he spent much of yesterday talking about it. A Ford F-150 sedan.
Think of it: a regular F-150 SuperCrew short box with a ride height haircut, softer springs, and a trunklid replacing the tailgate and (presumably) tonneau cover. Frankly, prying ears in Dearborn should pick this up.
My first choice wouldn’t be such a grotesquerie, of course. Adam can have his frankenmobile, but I’d prefer a truck Fiat Chrysler may very well end up making. It’s not out of the question. Back when the word “Dodge” graced the sides of Ram trucks, the short-lived SRT-10 caught my eye. A regular cab, short box sport truck with the heart of a Viper. Why aren’t we doing this again, FCA? Grab that 797-horse 6.2L Demon Light mill from the Challenger Hellcat Redeye, mate it to the shortest and least commodious 2019 Ram 1500, paint two big stripes down the hood (and grille, and roof, and tailgate), and start taking orders. Call it the Ram HellBeast or something. Ram DemonCore.
Seems pretty obvious to me, but maybe your author isn’t thinking far enough outside the box for this exercise. If Lincoln’s willing to stretch the Continental six inches and put the rear doors on backwards, maybe there’s other interesting bodystyle configurations and alterations to be had elsewhere.
So, let’s hear it. What do you want to see? You’re calling the shots here, and the OEM of your choice is bending to your every whim. Our only criteria with this question is that the model at the heart of this creation must currently be in production; otherwise, your ask of the OEM can be as mild or wild as you wish.
[Image: Lincoln Motor Company]
A brown, diesel, 4X4, wagon with a stick… Duh!
Any make or model
Alfa Giulia Ti Lusso with a FCA 6.4L V8. Of course.
Other engine needs:
Mustang + Ford 6.2L
Canyon/Colorado + GM V8
Stinger/G70 + Tau 5.0L
8-Series + V12
All great suggestions (well maybe not the last one- I don’t want another German car even if it had a V20).
Shooting brake hard top Miata
Shooting brake Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ.
NG5 and MRF 95 T-Bird,
You Sirs are my type of people. Given a choice between the three, I’m not sure what I would do. A good problem to have, I suppose.
Wouldn’t that be nice. I think they made a concept of the Toyota 86. Looks so good. Road and Track covered it: https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/news/a29087/holy-crap-this-toyota-86-shooting-brake-concept-is-real/
Electric pickup.
Regular cab pickups in trims other than poverty-spec.
A Dodge Charger, but not made by Dodge.
I don’t think BMW gave the NA I6 a proper sendoff.
I wish they had gone the Porsche route and kept their M cars naturally aspirated. Maybe turned them to mild hybrids to keep them emissions compliant. Imagine an M3 with a 9000 RPM I6 with “e-boost”. Would probably weigh about the same with less weight up high on the nose and deliver similar power with better response and character. Hoping someone takes up that torch in the future.
Dodge version of the Fiat 124 Spider with the Pentastar or Hurricane engine.
Chrysler Portal concept becoming a reality
Lincoln Mark IX PLC based on the Mustang, but stretched a few inches to achieve a usable back seat.
Fiat 500e, but not the phoned-in version that exists today
Regular cab, long bed 1500 pickup trucks.
Um, there are regular cab, long bed trucks (Ford, GM, Ram and Nissan all offer them), they’re just mainly purchased by fleet customers (I see them all the time at the plants I work at). If there were more demand for them, you’d see more.
@ John T…The Regular cab long box is tough to find around here. Now if I take a 45 minute drive out to farm country the dealers keep a nice inventory of Regular cab 8 ft box.
Speaking of pickups…still shopping for my girlfriend’s kid, and found this last night:
https://www.carmax.com/car/16700945
Pricing on used pickups is literally insane.
Pricing on used pickups is figuratively insane.
Does it make you feel better to piss all over everyone’s opinions that don’t match yours? Who the hell cares if YOU see fleet trucks driving around your area – the idea was to have NON-POVERTY-SPEC trucks available in single cab options.
The times when you offer your actual opinions on here, they are enjoyable to read. When you constantly, constantly pick apart everyone else’s opinions, it really sucks. Perhaps you should write for this site, since you have all the answers….
“Lincoln Mark IX PLC based on the Mustang, but stretched a few inches to achieve a usable back seat”
Agree on this, but such a car should for the sake of History wear a Cougar badge (though I suppose you can make your argument based on the Mk VII, but that was closer to the fox T- ird than the Mustang).
art and noid
i love the idea, but imo if ford wanted to really make a challenge to the euro options and creat a real headline grabber, it should make the continental as a panamera type vehicle.
make it a hatch(ish) back.
make buyers feel like they moved on up to the east side!
Adam Tonge has a point. i would love to have the body on frame strength and ride again.
somehow i feel the unibody is still a wish when it comes to expectine years of solid body
A two door Malibu V6..equipped with heated leather seats.
So a Camaro with a usable backseat, that you can see out of. A fine idea.
Yup !
Your ATS coupe awaits, sir.
https://www.cadillac.com/coupes/ats-coupe
@ FreedMike…True Dat ! ..I actually went as far as to sit in an ATS Coupe. Looking around, and I’m thinking “that Dead weight dude is right .”
I can’t live with the ATS’ touch controls.
I CAN live with a Regal GS though.
He said a usable back seat. This rules the ATS out even in 4 door form.
I’ve got a two door V6 with usable back seats and heated front leather seats – an Audi A5. Can’t get it serviced for Chevy prices, though.
“But Lincoln deserves kudos for going the extra mile and actually altering the platform and body of a car to make its door wish (your door wish?) come true.”
Completely false. A 3rd party is doing the conversion after the cars are already built…as stated yesterday in the comments of the post on this site:
“The suicide-door Continentals will roll off Ford’s assembly line in Flat Rock as Black Label Continentals. Ford will then ship the cars to Massachusetts-based Cabot Coach Builders, an aftermarket modification company.
Cabot will cut the vehicles in half, stretch them 6 inches, fit the suicide doors, and build out a custom second row with extra leg room, larger seats and a center console with controls, tray tables, wireless charging and other perks. ”
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/ford/2018/12/17/lincoln-continental-reintroduces-suicide-doors/2311426002/
Facts are not hard to get right.
OMG! They didnt retool an entire assembly plant to build 80 cars. FAIL! And you’re right, Lincoln didn’t design this car or commission its build. It’s all a conspiracy!
If facts arent hard to get right, why do you fail to do so all the time?
EBFlex is correct on this one.
And, yeah, it all feels like a publicity stunt to me; given that the Connie’s likely on borrowed time – which is a shame, by the way – it’s a particularly cynical one.
Unfortunately, it’s working – the mainstream press is picking up on the story. It made CNN today.
Duh, cheap, cheap advertising, which I’m sure was a big reason for this project in the first place. And it worked because it is all over the place. They were also likely using it to gauge interest in a regular production version of the replacement that was due in 21 as well as keep it in the news until that car was ready.
Makes sense, but is the Connie’s replacement even happening?
For the record, I hope it does happen. I’d love to see it. I’m not holding out hope, though. Even if they introduce it, what cred does Lincoln have in the high-dollar (i.e., Mercedes S-class / Lexus LS / Audi A8 / BMW 7-series) prestige sedan biz? The sales record of the current Connie answers that question for us.
For better or worse, the big-buck Lincoln is the Navigator. That sucks, but that’s life right now.
From what I read elsewhere the 21 Conti development was recently stopped. So unfortunately it probably isn’t going to happen.
Of course the engineering for this was already done so might as well put it out there and reap the benefits of the Lincoln name being plastered all over many websites. Look how many articles have showed up here for example.
As far as Lincoln’s credibility goes it is increasing, or course mainly due to the Navigator, and soon likely due to the Aviator.
My Brother in law and his wife just picked up a new car for her. She is a total brand snob and has had a couple of BMWs. However when it was time for replacement they looked at 2 brands, Cadillac and Lincoln. The ONLY reason she would consider any brand is because that is what other people in her circle of brand snobs are buying. She did end up with a Caddilac but if he would have had his way they would have bought a Lincoln.
Right, Lincoln’s built a strong CUV/SUV brand over the years, but that’s not true of high-end sedans. And I think that’s the key reason the Continental failed. Ditto for the Cadillac CT6. As you say, brand snobbery is key in this segment.
You seriously need professional help. It’s sad how bitter you are.
Tesla Model 3 2-door 4-seat convertible.
Dodge “Julia”. I would trade tomorrow for an Alpha platform with a Pentastar/RWD combo sold by Dodge.
2 door Tahoe with the 6.2L and offroad suspension.
CT6 and Escalade with the LT4 from the Z06.
New Excursion on the Super Duty platform (maybe bending the rules a bit but it really wouldn’t be THAT hard to do)
LS500 with the V8 from the LC500 (never made sense why they were different)
Cadillac badges on all of the “mid-engine Corvettes”
Agree with the Tahoe. Add a manual trans option and I would settle for the 5.3L.
Well one of 2 things , a MB e class Diesel wagon would be great or a vw GTI wagon. I would sign up for either and yes the MB would be pricey but I would find a way to make it work.
A shout out to VW, for years I asked for a GTI w plaid seats and a Pana moon roof, I am told you can now configure a GTI like this, sadly I am not in the market now but props for them for offering it.
Hellcat all the things. Pacifica Hellcat, Compass Hellcat, Ram Hellcat (probably coming), Guilia Hellcat, Journey Hellcat, cuz why the hellcat not!
Also, a Telsa Model X with traditional doors would be refreshing to see.
Finally and more realistically, as a VW fanboy, I’d love to see VW bring over the cool stuff from Europe. GTI Clubsport, all the RS models, etc.
I’d like to see an EcoBoost V8 in the F150, along with an air suspension option like the Ram has.
The jelly bean shape of the current Continental just doesn’t go well with the suicide doors IMO. A sharper front and rear end (like on the 300 or a Rolls) would be a better fit but I doubt Ford wants to spend the $$ at this point to update a car that so far has been a sales disappointment. Also the short dash-to-axle ratio of this Conti just doesn’t look high-end- Maybe they wanted the car to be FWD-based to save $$, but why couldn’t they have given it the ersatz look of a sleek RWD cruiser like Volvo’s done with its current S90 and upcoming S60? (both FWD based)
Well, if the auto industry insists on cranking out CUVs, how about hi-po models? Ford has the right idea with the Edge ST, but it costs an arm and a leg. How about an Escape ST, or a Tiguan GTI?
At least they wouldn’t suck to drive.
Eclipse Cross Evolution and Kicks SE-R
Thou shalt not crap any more on the SE-R badge as it has been being steadily crapped on since the B14 Sentra/200SX bowed in 1995. Let it live only in my memory.
Chrome and fins, optional 2-tone paint. Using the current Chrysler LX platform, make the body look exactly like almost any Mopar from 1956-61.
If that’s too much to ask, how about the return of a fullsize station wagon like the Magnum? It doesn’t need to be a completely separate model, just sell a wagon version of the Chrysler 300 like they did in Europe.
A new Ford F-150 Lightning. Like the performance stepside model that was built in the 90’s and 00’s just with the Coyote engine.
Even better, put the engine from the new GT500 or the Voodoo in it
Regular Cab, Raptorized 3.5 with AWD from the Limited.
I know this pie in the sky but Already looked into a Lightning and the problem with today’s brodozers are they are just too damned big ergo the Raptor.
They said the added the power then looked into the suspension which needed to be beefed up to the point it killed the ride then they looked at brakes which needed some serious meat all of which added a lot of weight so power had to go up and brakes had to get bigger then power had to go up again ad infinitum.
Now if say Ranger had say a 30 x 36 x 30 box in the engine bay you could get a Voodoo V8 in there no problem and Lightning it all up with something more or less the same size as the early 90’s F150 and be golden. Well I say golden but IIRC Ford has a one size fits all frame so long as you like it with tons of ground clearance.
But even a lowly 2.7 ty F150 wastes the original Lightning in every performance metric.
My wish is Mazda6X – plastic-clad, slightly elevated, Mazda6 wagon with small 2.8L V6, AWD and Manual transmission
Ford Ranger Raptor.
Ram Powerwagon diesel.
Gladiator with extended cab instead of crew cab. also V8
I’d love to see Bentley resurrect it’s big coupes. The Azure and Brooklands died when the Arnage did. When they built the Mulsanne, they never did make coupe and cabriolet casinos.
Well, actually, Bentley did make a limited run (19 units) of the Grand Convertible, which was a drop-top Mulsanne…but make it a proper production car.
1) Dodge Magnum Hellcat with the towing package
2) A true small pickup Eventually somebody is going to do it, they will sell a ton and then everybody else will follow.
3) Jill Wagner edition Mercury Marauder
Literally the exact thing Hyundai has been showing the last few years as the Santa Cruz concept. Make it small and start it under $25k and you’ve got a winner.
A legal in the US Subaru Levorg STI.
I don’t even need a single change to either and one of them is currently rolling off an assembly line as you read this. I don’t think I am asking for too much.
1. Model S with an interior befitting 100k car and option of falcon doors
2. CLS Shooting brake with option of kids rear facing seat.
3. Toyota Sienna Hybrid
4. Cadillac Escala with limited run Ciel conversion same as continental coach limo
5. A 7 series with reliable engine
I really like the Cadillac Ciel concept. It looks like a 1961 Continental convertible infused with Cadillac Art and Science styling. I completely agree, they should build it.
This COULD be a reality:
2019 Ford Ranger: CHECK
3.2L Diesel from Transit Van: CHECK
6spd tranny from Ford T6: CHECK
1) Buy truck
2) Sell NEW engine/transmission from said truck
3) Spread joy to the world
Jeep Compass Overland wih manual availability.
I’ll buy it tomorrow if they make it deep amethyst pearl with a brown and tan interior.
Also, a Compass TSi would be nice- white wheels and roof, 4×4 with 2wd ride-height, please. 2.0t from Alfa should be the engine.
Please take more of my money.
A 2019 medium blue Toyota Land Cruiser with a tan interior. Ten Matte black rims with a set of winter tires and a set of all seasons. Delete the third row seats like its Lexus cousin, please.
Stretch wheelbase Chrysler 300 (Hemi) – 6 in more rear seat room AND stretch the trunk, should be closer to 20 cubic feet than the pathetic 16 cubic feet now.
Once the Taurus (21 cubic ft) and Impala (19 cubic ft) are dead there won’t be any “any man” sedans with a cross country road trip suitable trunk. The closest will be the Charger with 17 cubic ft.
How many bodies do you need to carry at one time?
Summer 2019 I plan on driving a wife and two kids from NM to OH. There’s a non-negotiable 2 child stroller involved that if it was any larger I’d have to pay road taxes on it.
I need a trunk that’s worth a dang.
Maybe I was spoiled by spending so much of my childhood with an A-body Celebrity. The wheelbase may have been diminutive but the trunk was 15 cubic ft and actually shaped like a BOX with a large lid.
I’m just having fun with an old way one used to measure trunk size, by the number of bodies that could fit in it. It’s an old mobster joke.
I drive a Taurus. Picked up my parents from the airport the other day. Six full size bags and a wheelchair easily went into the trunk, without having to play a game of tetris. While our SUV can carry something boxy better, it can’t do luggage and wheelchair as well as my car.
I last had the Taurus for a work trip three years ago. The trunk was almost laughable overkill for my suitcase, laptop, travel projector, and a box of handouts I had for my client. And I mean that as high praise.
And as someone old enough to remember truly boaty sedans, I think Ford got the performance/comfort equation right on the non-SHO Taurus – not punishing but not soggy either. It reminds, in a good way, of something like an 8th-gen Bonneville SE.
I’m a little sad to see it go.
A Porsche Cayman with a hot, NA flat six and a manual.
I believe the 2019 or 2020 Cayman GT4 has you covered. Supposedly a 488 horsepower 4.25 liter flat six is the engine of choice with a manual trans and possibly a PDK as an option.
A stripped down (and much cheaper) Toyota Land Cruiser
bring back the 3.7L to the base Mustang
and the I6 N/A to the base BMW 2 or 3-series
Agree on 86 shooting brake/hatch. Anything on that platform with more practicality. Also agree with a lot of these others, like a return of the F-150 Lightning.
Subaru Crosstrek with the WRX engine.
Toyota Corolla Levin ( ~300hp hatch with electric rear axle to compete with Type R and co)
Chevy Cruze SS (2.0T from the Camaro)
3-Door Mazda3 hatch
Mid-Engined Abarth 500 with a Pentastar
+2 for your suggestions of a Renault 5 Turbo-inspired 500 and of a Cruze SS.
The Cruze SS seems like low-hanging fruit, since the General already has a transverse 2.0T available in the Malibu. I wonder how its dimensions compare to that of the Cruze’s 1.4T?
I also wonder if it would tread on the Camaro’s toes performance-wise. Granted, I’m the bad enthusiast who doesn’t own either, but I’d rather have a performance version of a hatch or a sedan than a pony car.
You’ve got to think that some of John Heinricy’s old engineers are, or at least were at one point, itching to do a Cruze SS. It has to pain them to see Focus and Fiesta ST’s, GTI’s, and Civic Si’s roll by.
Ecosport with a liftgate, not the asinine side-opening rear door.
I’d like to buy my 1993 Ranger again, in February, 1993, when I was 23 years old.
20 years of reliable service, spanning 2 wives. This time, I’d skip the first wife.
I’m wishing here.
I laughed so hard while reading this I needed to set down my glass of water. We are here for you RangerM. Th
Moderately priced cars with options focused on comfort. Not “luxury”, comfort. Kind of a Brougham revival.
Trailer mode: a self driving mode that will follow the car in front of it with no driver driving it (via smart phone GPS or other transponder technologies).
Uber will be able to “tow” you home when you are drunk, and you can go on a field trip with 1 driver and 7 passengers, or a camping trip with 1 driver and 2 cars.
I’m gonna remember this one.
New third gen Camaro with the 6.2, a “B!tchin\'” License plate on the front, and a Guns n’ Roses cassette in the cassette deck.
I’d also like a new SC300 with the Supra Turbo driveline.
Given your description, you really should have The Dead Milkmen in the cassette deck.
I’m going to be boring and say a lengthened Mazda6 2 door, keeping the manual with a slightly more powerful engine. Make it in fun colors too such as that gorgeous trademarked red hue.
Doesn’t even have to be all wheel drive even though I’m in Minnesota.
I’d like to see:
– a new MR2 using the V6 from the Camry. No more than 2600#.
-a new Fiero using the Camaro’s V6. Ditto for the weight.
-a properly updated Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
– a rwd GTI.
Also, can I get a Supra, but with the roles reversed (let Toyota provide the mechanicals and BMW style it and tune the chassis). Prefer if you use E30/36 era engineers on the BMW end.
Last one…I know the Ecoboost Mustang is the spiritual successor, but I’d like to see a Mustang with all of the GT350 goodies but the Raptor/limited 3.5twin turbo 3.5 under the hood and SVO badges on the body. We get retro themes from time to time (mach-1, bullet) so throw us 80s kids a bone
BRZ with a little more horsepower and a lot more torque. Do something about the brakes while you’re at it.
Easy: bring back the Turbo option for the Subaru Forester, ___or__ provide an STI option package (not quite a completely new model) that achieves the same result. New Forester now joins a bunch of underpowered CUV’s (Mazda’s new CX-5 turbo now rules the group if you can live with its stiff ride and coal bin interior).
Love it – hopefully they build a livery version with same door and stretch.
Royale build a similar version but oem rear doors, and stretched B-pillar – interior inside is bad, B-pillar inside show an add on part beside safety belt – here they should put more work and money and make a better part so it show as one piece….
My Fleetwood Limited is same “product” – standard Deville sold by cadillac, but built at Superior – stretched behind rear doors and also trunk stretched.
Why is it so that every car dealer in the US demand ZIP-code on their website before one can see all cars and editions?? What about us outside US that do not have a ZIP-code. Internet is world wide – make a site for all of us!