Patrick, your title answered
Patrick, your title answered the only question I had about the new Lincoln. Bret's point has validity, but not a single luxury automaker with solid car sales has a FWD car as its top model. Lexus is number one in sales and its LS is a RWD platform. Mercedes is number two, S-type is RWD. All of BMW's top models are RWD as it its 7-Series. Whether the buyers know it or not, the way a car feels has a lot to do with its layout. A front-drive 3-Series would not be the same car. Only Lexus has a successful, high-volume premium FWD car for sale. Acura did, and may again, but both it and Audi's CAR sales have dropped like a stone in terms of market share. Now with crossovers, the exact opposite is true. FWD platforms with AWD rule. As they should. Just my $0.02. I saw the Continental yesterday in person. Gorgeous. I hope it sells beyond all expectations.