2013 Frankfurt: Ford’s new Vignale is a Lincoln for Europe

Story and photos by John LeBlanc After shedding Volvo, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover, Ford has been without an upmarket brand in Europe for years. But here in Frankfurt, the American automaker debuted its new, exclusive Vignale sub-brand. Set to be launched on the all-new Mondeo (our Fusion) lineup in 2015, upscale Ford Vignale models will eventually be available on the new S-Max people mover (previewed here at the show in concept from) and the next Edge crossover, set to go on sale for the first time in Europe. Ford says the Vignale sub-brand will offer an “upscale product and ownership experience.” Sitting on top of the current Titanium models, Vignale versions are being targeted at the “10% to 15% of potential buyers who want an even higher specification.” On the Mondeo Vignale, for example, there’s a new grille and front bumper with plenty of chrome, with the “Mondeo” badge replaced with “Vignale” script. Inside, you’ll find quilted leather seats and door panels, in-car Wi-Fi and a Vignale-badged storage drawer in the trunk. Vignale dealers in Europe will also offer an upmarket experience, like a dedicated customer contact and exclusive concierge-like services. Of course, all this makes one wonder: Why doesn’t Ford simply offer its upscale Lincoln products in Europe? This article was originally published by National Post Driving.

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