Insiders claim Fords Luxury brand Lincoln is planning a luxury off-roader that will compete with it Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Based on the Ford Bronco – which shares its platform with the Ranger ute – the premium SUV could also offer buyers an alternative to the Land Rover Defender and Ineos Grenadier, according to the US publication Car week.
Featuring a boxy body-on-frame design, the five-seat Lincoln is said to be based on the next-generation Bronco, due to launch in 2030 – but this is expected to be a platform update rather than an entirely new addition.
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Such a vehicle could help steal sales from Mercedes-Benz, and other automakers like BMW and Audi are also rumored to be working on their own G-Class competitors.
Although Lincoln hasn’t confirmed the model yet and details are still sparse, there’s a good chance the off-roader will offer higher levels of luxury and performance than the standard Ford Bronco, ensuring it’s presented as a viable alternative to vehicles like the G-Wagen.
This means the model could adopt the Bronco Raptor’s twin-turbo V6 – or even a hybrid powertrain – while offering the Blue Oval’s latest technology.
Since Lincoln doesn’t have a presence in Australia, it’s unlikely the model will be offered here in right-hand drive. Even the regular Bronco remains off-limits in Australia as it is only made in left-hand drive.
Last year, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class recorded its best sales year in its 46-year history, with almost 49,000 vehicles delivered worldwide – an increase of almost 15 percent compared to the previous year – with AMG’s top model G63 accounting for around 60 percent of sales. Engine buzz Reports.
Although it was originally launched as a vehicle for agricultural and military use, the high-performance luxury versions offered by AMG in the 2000s and 2010s made it a status symbol of the rich and famous and increased sales.
Closer to home, the Australian Defense Force has more than 2,200 diesel-powered G-Wagens in use as light vehicles.
Lincoln currently offers a number of SUVs on platforms shared with Ford, with the Corsair being related to the Ford Escape, the Aviator being a cousin of the Ford Explorer, and the Navigator being based on the Ford Expedition.
There is also the Nautilus, which is related to the Chinese Ford Edge L. Unlike its more mainstream cousin, the Nautilus is exported to markets such as the US.
Lincoln now only has one car, the Z, which is developed exclusively for the Chinese market by the Changan-Ford joint venture.
All Lincolns feature unique sheet metal and interiors to distinguish them from their Ford cousins, with most offering particularly luxurious Black Label variants.
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