With Jaguar and Land Rover gone, Ford wants to bring back the Lincoln name with the unveiling of new vehicles that boast brand-exclusive styling. Until now the biggest surprise from Lincoln if the MKS sedan that went on sale last month. But this won't be the big news coming from the brand.

The MKZ will be restyled in 2010. All of the sheet metal from the A-pillar forward and the C-pillar back will be new. The MKZ will adopt Lincoln's signature design cues, such as the split grille.

As reported few hours ago, Ford is considering rear-wheel-drive cars for the Ford and Lincoln brands. . Those large rwd sedans had been expected to go on sale by the 2013 model year.

The Town Car will be discontinued in 2011.

Lincoln will get a version of the next-generation Escape for the 2012 model year. The vehicle will be based on the second-generation Ford Kuga; the first generation debuts in Europe this summer. The fwd vehicle, code-named C506, is expected to be assembled at a plant in suburban Kansas City, Mo.

The MKX will also be restyled in 2011. It will adopt some of Lincoln's new design cues, such as the split grille. All of the sheet metal from the A-pillar forward will be new. The tailgate and taillight designs likely will be new.

The MKT will go into production for the 2010 model year at the Oakville, Ontario, assembly plant. Styling is expected to draw inspiration from the MKT concept displayed at the 2008 Detroit auto show.

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