Lincoln Town Car (2003-2011)
Third generation (1998–2011)
ProductionOctober 1997–September 15, 2011
Model years1998–2011
AssemblyWixom, Michigan, U.S. (1998–2007)
St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada (2008–2011)
For the 1998 model year, Ford gave its full-size cars for all three divisions major redesigns, with the Town Car receiving the most attention. The straight-lined body seen for eight years gave way to a curved design scheme with a downwards sloping trunk lid, and cat's-eye headlights. The C-pillar opera windows and Rolls-Royce grille seen since the 1970s were left off, as was the hood ornament. In the front, the new Town Car wore a waterfall grille much like the Navigator that was introduced alongside it for 1998.
The interior received major changes as well. Door and instrument panels as well as the radio face, switches and controls were redone. Additional wood trim was added to the newly designed dashboard and the door panels. The power seat recliner and lumbar controls were moved to the door panels. Lincoln emblems remained on the door panels and the seatbacks, as well as the rear tail lights, making the 1998–2002 models the last Town Cars with that feature. The Cartier model also received a 220-hp version of the Modular V8.
The Town Car didn't follow a popular trend with luxury brands, by installing a cabin air filter for the HVAC system, while the smaller Lincoln LS did offer one.
1998: Third-generation Town Car released with extensive redesigns to the exterior and interior. While 3 inches shorter, the 1998 Town Car was 2 inches wider, an inch taller, and rode on a slightly longer wheelbase. For the first time since 1991, the 4.6L V8 saw a power increase across the board (200 hp in Executive/Signature, 220 hp in Cartier, 239 hp in Signature Touring, standard with dual exhaust). The Signature Series was available with a Touring package, intended to appeal to those young at heart. It features unique 16-inch chrome tek alloy wheels with wider 235 width tires, 3.55 rear gear ratio, heavy duty monotube KONI shocks (OEM supplier), reduced diameter rubber bushings on suspension, revised engine and variable steering ratio computer tuning, exterior chrome delete, anthracite painted grill, black wood interior, perforated leather seats and JBL Audiophile quality sound system.
2003: Town Car given mid-cycle refresh. As the underpinning Ford Panther platform receives a major update, the Town Car receives a number of changes to improve its road manners. An all-new frame improved body rigidity while rack-and-pinion steering improved handling alongside a retuned suspension. The Modular V8 received another power increase, to 224/239 hp, depending on model.
A refreshed exterior squared off the bumpers; a new front end brought the styling of the Town Car closer in line with that of the newly introduced LS. After a five-year absence, the hood ornament made its return atop the grille. Inside, all-new seats gained larger head restraints. To further differentiate the interior from its Mercury Grand Marquis stablemate, the Town Car gained a new woodgrain pattern, trimmed by a satin metal border. Unlike Ford and Mercury dashboards, Town Cars integrated the radio and climate controls into a single unit, topped by an analog clock.
Late in the year, a DVD-based satellite navigation system designed by Pioneer became available late in the 2003 model year; it was later paired with THX sound processing. On all Town Cars except for Executive Series, ultrasonic park assist was standard. Also new was a power trunk lid that opens and closes at the touch of the driver's door mounted button or through the keyless remote; this was known as "Trunk at a Touch."
Discontinuation
In spite of declining sales, the Town Car remained one of the best selling American luxury cars; it was the United States' and Canada's most used limousine and chauffeured car.
In 2006, as part of The Way Forward, Ford considered ending production of Lincoln's largest model as part of the 2007 closing of the Wixom Assembly Plant. Industry observer George Peterson said "It blows everybody’s mind that they are dropping the Town Car. Just think what Ford could do if they actually invested in a re-skin of Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis and Town Car." Ford ultimately decided to keep the model and move assembly to the St. Thomas Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada; this was home to the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis; both models also used the Ford Panther platform. The Town Car's manufacture resumed at its new location in late 2007. The first Canadian-assembled Town Car was built on January 10, 2008. However, in Canada, Town Cars were sold exclusively for fleet and livery sales, having been discontinued in retail markets after the 2007 model year.
In 2009, the fate of all three Panther-platform models was determined when Ford announced the 2011 closure of the St. Thomas Assembly Plant. For the limousine and livery markets, Ford had promised availability of the Town Car through the 2011 model year; retail sales continued on a limited basis in the United States and for export. On January 4, 2011, the Town Car became the last Panther-platform variant available for retail sale as the final Mercury Grand Marquis was produced (the last Mercury-brand vehicle). On August 29, 2011, the final Town Car rolled off the assembly line, without any fanfare or announcement from Ford.
After the Town Car's discontinuation following the 2011 model year, the Town Car was left without a direct replacement. Although dimensionally a full-size sedan, the Lincoln MKS's architecture is considerably different as it has a front-wheel drive unibody platform with optional all-wheel drive. The MKS is marketed more as of a successor to the sportier Lincoln LS as well as the 1995–2002 Continental. To fill the gap left by the Town Car, Lincoln has remained in livery markets by developing a limousine variant of the MKT full-size crossover vehicle, which was made available around the second quarter of 2012 and is known as the "MKT Town Car."
[Text from Wikipedia]
Lincoln Town Car (2003-2011)
Third generation (1998–2011)
ProductionOctober 1997–September 15, 2011
Model years1998–2011
AssemblyWixom, Michigan, U.S. (1998–2007)
St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada (2008–2011)
For the 1998 model year, Ford gave its full-size cars for all three divisions major redesigns, with the Town Car receiving the most attention. The straight-lined body seen for eight years gave way to a curved design scheme with a downwards sloping trunk lid, and cat's-eye headlights. The C-pillar opera windows and Rolls-Royce grille seen since the 1970s were left off, as was the hood ornament. In the front, the new Town Car wore a waterfall grille much like the Navigator that was introduced alongside it for 1998.
The interior received major changes as well. Door and instrument panels as well as the radio face, switches and controls were redone. Additional wood trim was added to the newly designed dashboard and the door panels. The power seat recliner and lumbar controls were moved to the door panels. Lincoln emblems remained on the door panels and the seatbacks, as well as the rear tail lights, making the 1998–2002 models the last Town Cars with that feature. The Cartier model also received a 220-hp version of the Modular V8.
The Town Car didn't follow a popular trend with luxury brands, by installing a cabin air filter for the HVAC system, while the smaller Lincoln LS did offer one.
1998: Third-generation Town Car released with extensive redesigns to the exterior and interior. While 3 inches shorter, the 1998 Town Car was 2 inches wider, an inch taller, and rode on a slightly longer wheelbase. For the first time since 1991, the 4.6L V8 saw a power increase across the board (200 hp in Executive/Signature, 220 hp in Cartier, 239 hp in Signature Touring, standard with dual exhaust). The Signature Series was available with a Touring package, intended to appeal to those young at heart. It features unique 16-inch chrome tek alloy wheels with wider 235 width tires, 3.55 rear gear ratio, heavy duty monotube KONI shocks (OEM supplier), reduced diameter rubber bushings on suspension, revised engine and variable steering ratio computer tuning, exterior chrome delete, anthracite painted grill, black wood interior, perforated leather seats and JBL Audiophile quality sound system.
2003: Town Car given mid-cycle refresh. As the underpinning Ford Panther platform receives a major update, the Town Car receives a number of changes to improve its road manners. An all-new frame improved body rigidity while rack-and-pinion steering improved handling alongside a retuned suspension. The Modular V8 received another power increase, to 224/239 hp, depending on model.
A refreshed exterior squared off the bumpers; a new front end brought the styling of the Town Car closer in line with that of the newly introduced LS. After a five-year absence, the hood ornament made its return atop the grille. Inside, all-new seats gained larger head restraints. To further differentiate the interior from its Mercury Grand Marquis stablemate, the Town Car gained a new woodgrain pattern, trimmed by a satin metal border. Unlike Ford and Mercury dashboards, Town Cars integrated the radio and climate controls into a single unit, topped by an analog clock.
Late in the year, a DVD-based satellite navigation system designed by Pioneer became available late in the 2003 model year; it was later paired with THX sound processing. On all Town Cars except for Executive Series, ultrasonic park assist was standard. Also new was a power trunk lid that opens and closes at the touch of the driver's door mounted button or through the keyless remote; this was known as "Trunk at a Touch."
Discontinuation
In spite of declining sales, the Town Car remained one of the best selling American luxury cars; it was the United States' and Canada's most used limousine and chauffeured car.
In 2006, as part of The Way Forward, Ford considered ending production of Lincoln's largest model as part of the 2007 closing of the Wixom Assembly Plant. Industry observer George Peterson said "It blows everybody’s mind that they are dropping the Town Car. Just think what Ford could do if they actually invested in a re-skin of Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis and Town Car." Ford ultimately decided to keep the model and move assembly to the St. Thomas Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada; this was home to the Ford Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis; both models also used the Ford Panther platform. The Town Car's manufacture resumed at its new location in late 2007. The first Canadian-assembled Town Car was built on January 10, 2008. However, in Canada, Town Cars were sold exclusively for fleet and livery sales, having been discontinued in retail markets after the 2007 model year.
In 2009, the fate of all three Panther-platform models was determined when Ford announced the 2011 closure of the St. Thomas Assembly Plant. For the limousine and livery markets, Ford had promised availability of the Town Car through the 2011 model year; retail sales continued on a limited basis in the United States and for export. On January 4, 2011, the Town Car became the last Panther-platform variant available for retail sale as the final Mercury Grand Marquis was produced (the last Mercury-brand vehicle). On August 29, 2011, the final Town Car rolled off the assembly line, without any fanfare or announcement from Ford.
After the Town Car's discontinuation following the 2011 model year, the Town Car was left without a direct replacement. Although dimensionally a full-size sedan, the Lincoln MKS's architecture is considerably different as it has a front-wheel drive unibody platform with optional all-wheel drive. The MKS is marketed more as of a successor to the sportier Lincoln LS as well as the 1995–2002 Continental. To fill the gap left by the Town Car, Lincoln has remained in livery markets by developing a limousine variant of the MKT full-size crossover vehicle, which was made available around the second quarter of 2012 and is known as the "MKT Town Car."
[Text from Wikipedia]