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Weekly Recap For 5.27.16 | Autoblog Minute

Senior Editor Greg Migliore recaps the week in automotive news for 5.27.16. Acura Lincoln Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video Lincoln Zephyr

Bring back the Bronco! Trademarks we hope are actually (someday) future car names

Trademark filings are the tea leaves of the auto industry. Read them carefully – and interpret them correctly – and you might be previewing an automaker's future product plans. Yes, they're routinely filed to maintain the rights to an iconic name. And sometimes they're only for toys and clothing. But not always. Sometimes, the truth is right in front of us. The trademark is required because a company actually wants to use the name on a new car. With that in mind, here's a list of intriguing trademark filings we want to see go from paperwork to production reality. Trademark: Bronco Company: Ford Previous Use: The Bronco was a long-running SUV that lived from 1966-1996. It's one of America's original SUVs and was responsible for the increased popularity of the segment. Still, it's best known as O.J. Simpson's would-be getaway car. We think: The Bronco was an icon. Everyone seems to want a Wrangler-fighter – Ford used to have a good one. Enough time has passed that the O.J. police chase isn't the immediate image conjured by the Bronco anymore. Even if we're doing a wish list in no particular order, the Bronco still finds its way to the top. For now (unfortunately), it's just federal paperwork. Rumors on this one can get especially heated. The official word from a Ford spokesman is: "Companies renew trademark filings to maintain ownership and control of the mark, even if it is not currently used. Ford values the iconic Bronco name and history." Trademarks: Aviator, AV8R Company: Ford Previous Use: The Aviator was one of the shortest-run Lincolns ever, lasting for the 2003-2005 model years. It never found the sales success of the Ford Explorer, with which it shared a platform. We Think: The Aviator name no longer fits with Lincoln's naming nomenclature. Too bad, it's better than any other name Lincoln currently uses, save for its former big brother, the Navigator. Perhaps we're barking up the wrong tree, though. Ford has made several customized, aviation themed-Mustangs in the past, including one called the Mustang AV8R in 2008, which had cues from the US Air Force's F-22 Raptor fighter jet. It sold for $500,000 at auction, and the glass roof – which is reminiscent of a fighter jet cockpit – helped Ford popularize the feature. Trademark: EcoBeast Company: Ford Previous Use: None by major carmakers.

2020 Lincoln Corsair spied inside and out, ready to replace the MKC

Last year we were told the Lincoln MKC crossover would be renamed the Lincoln Corsair for the 2020 model year. A full exterior and interior redesign is on its way to go with the name change, one we get to see up close and personal here. We were led to believe that the Corsair would take its design cues from the handsome three-row Aviator SUV. That sentiment rings true for the exterior and interior as we take a look at these first spy shots of the smallest Lincoln crossover. The silhouette of the Corsair is near spot-on that of the Aviator's — it's smaller in every way, but styling elements like the grille, taillights, tapered rear window and overhanging spoiler all scream Aviator. Even the wheels look ripped straight from a lower-spec Aviator. We think that's great, because the Aviator is one hell of a looker now that all the camouflage has been stripped off it. Lincoln is bringing its new interior styling to the small crossover too, it appears. The shots we get to see here show that this won't even come close to resembling its redesigned Escape sibling on the inside. Instead, we're feeling Navigator and Aviator vibes all over. The big screen perched on top, chrome everywhere and classy appearance is reassuring; any concern over seeing a Lincoln version of a Ford on the inside should be wiped away with these photos. This interior looks like it's ready for the showroom floor, too. We're thinking you'll likely be able to buy one before the year is done. A report earlier this week shed some light on possible powertrain options we could see on this crossover related to the Ford Escape. A 2.0-liter Ecoboost engine is likely to be the base option, while the 2.3-liter Ecoboost will remain as an upgrade. The possibility of a plug-in hybrid version looms, though. With the Lincoln Aviator going that route, an electrified option for the smaller crossover could prove appealing for some buyers not wanting to pony up for the big Aviator. A reveal for this crossover should be coming soon at this rate, possibly even at the N.Y. Auto Show in April this year. Related video: