There's been a lot of talk about Ford->ke31 working on a brand-new, rear-wheel-drive sedan,->ke142 while Lincoln is also reportedly pondering a RWD sedan based on the 2015 Mustang's platform. A new report from The Truth About Cars says Lincoln is indeed developing a rear-wheel-drive model, but it seems the vehicle won't be a traditional sedan. According to TTAC, the luxury mark wants to develop a crossover,->ke288 so it can expand its presence in this ever-growing segment.

Our source here also speculates the yet unnamed Lincoln will be based on the next-generation Explorer. This means the new vehicle isn't scheduled to arrive before the 2018 model year, when the redesigned Explorer will go on sale. While there are no styling or technology->ke1701 details about the upcoming Lincoln crossover, we expect the next-gen Explorer to endure extensive cosmetic surgery. Motivation is likely to be provided by a couple of EcoBoost engines mated to Ford's future nine-speed automatic transmission.

Note: Lincoln MKX Concept Crossover pictured here.

Click past the jump to read more about Lincoln's upcoming RWD crossover.

Why it matters

The fact that Lincoln is getting a RWD crossover isn't the only big news here. The other one is that the Explorer is returning to rear-wheel drive, something it had lost in 2010, when the fourth-generation model was discontinued.

So why is Ford considering an RWD crossover might be appealing to U.S. buyers all of a sudden? Well, it seems the Blue Oval wants to capitalize on the increasing popularity of the crossover segment, which mainly affects the full-size sedan market. The fact that buyers are tempted to switch from full-size sedan to crossover is also obvious in the police vehicle market, where Explorer Interceptor sales are up 52 percent year-to-date, while the Taurus Interceptor deliveries are down seven percent. Ford is playing on both fronts by developing a more dynamic and fuel-efficient competitor for the Chevrolet Tahoe.

As for the new Explorer-based Lincoln, it is widely known the luxury manufacturer is primarily aiming to expand in the crossover and SUV markets in a desperate attempt to revive the name that used to give Cadillac a run for its money back in the day.