Lincoln Aviator Rumored to Return as Upscale Ford Explorer Twin
Lincoln could be dumping its current naming system for something more traditional.
Rumor has it that the American automaker will usher in a new era of model nameplates starting with the Lincoln Aviator, an SUV based on the new Explorer.
Currently, the Lincoln brand uses a mashup of the letters “MK” followed by a third letter such as “S” or “T” to denote the model, which has become not only confusing but hard to remember even for fans of the brand. When the company unveiled the Continental concept earlier this year, many believed that the automaker would turn to a more traditional naming convention, but if that move comes to fruition it won’t be the Continental nameplate to kick it off.
SEE ALSO: Lincoln Continental Concept Previews Brand’s New Flagship Sedan
The Truth About Cars reports that Ford engineers are working on a project that is internally known as “Aviator” and that Lincoln will not make a next-generation MKT model based on the Ford Flex, but will give the nameplate the axe altogether. The company recently filed a trademark for the Aviator nameplate, meaning it could be the first of many name changes for the brand.
The company responded to TTAC‘s request for a comment with spokesman Stéphane Cesareo saying, “We do not comment on speculation. MKT continues to be present in our lineup, with a new model in 2015. By 2020, we expect to expand the segments that we participate in by adding two new nameplates to the Lincoln brand. We have not provided any indications about the products or their names.”
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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That's good news. Unfortunately, this will probably be the end of the Flex, too.
Lincoln, PLEASE BRING BACK REAL NAMES! This could be a big differentiator for you in the luxury market.