Spied! All New Lincoln Mark LT

Posted by Mike Levine | March 9, 2009

Photo: Brian Williams for Brenda Priddy & Co.

For U.S. truck buyers, this pickup is unobtainable luxury. Our spies have just snapped photos of the all-new Lincoln Mark LT that Ward's recently reported will continue on sale south of the border in Mexico. The Lincoln Mark LT was discontinued in the U.S. after the 2008 model year due to slow sales. The new Mark LT is based on the 2009 Ford F-150 Platinum edition.

The front end sports Lincoln's distinct new double-waterfall grille design. It's unlike any other snout in the F-150 lineup. In fact, it's the seventh unique grille we've seen on the F-150. The front rocker panels receive Lincoln Mark LT lettering along with the tailgate, though this test mule still sports "Platinum" across the back.

A Ford spokesperson told Ward's that the Mark LT will live on because the Lincoln brand has an exclusive image in Mexico. Mexican buyers are prepared to pay more for a Lincoln-badged vehicle than they would for a similar one with a Ford blue oval.

According to Lincoln's Mexican website, a 2008 Mark LT crew cab is priced at $41,300 for a 4x2 and $46,000 for a 4x4. In the U.S., a two-wheel-drive 2009 Ford F-150 Platinum SuperCrew starts at $40,910 and a four-wheel-drive version starts at $44,105

The Mark LT was the second high-end hauler to not find success under Ford's luxury brand in the U.S. The first was the unique Lincoln Blackwood pickup that never caught on with buyers and was dropped in 2002.