It’s been a while since we’ve heard rumors of Lincoln’s compact car but it appears that development continues and the production model will be based on the Ford Focus.

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Lincoln may show an updated version of its Concept C small car at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, as automakers of all stripes begin rolling out their new smaller, fuel efficient cars that feature much of the same equipment as more upscale models.

The first Concept C, which debuted in 2009, was attractive but had very little chance of making it to production in its existing form. While the 1.6L Ecoboost powertrain is a shoo-in for a premium, fuel-efficient compact, with its 180 horsepower and 180 lb-ft, but the pseudo-hatchback body style will likely undergo substantial revisions for its Los Angeles deubt, not to mention any sort of production run. Fortunately, the Focus underpinnings used for any future Concept C will afford Lincoln a wide berth to engineer a desirable compact that will also have superb driving dynamics and build quality.

Lincoln has previously stated that a compact luxury car will appear within three years, and with Mercedes, BMW and Audi all preparing (or selling, in Audi’s case) a compact model, the timing is just right for an American competitor.

[Source: Automotive News]