Lincoln Continental Concept, Back To The Future
It’s been too long since Lincoln had a proper luxury car, the chauffeur-driven type that also pampers you. Lincoln now returns to this market segment with an all new full-size luxury sedan bristling with new technology.
The Lincoln Continental Concept, as it is officially called, is very close to next year’s production vehicle according to the Lincoln people. It is an elegant, good looking, full-size luxury car.
Lincoln-exclusive EcoBoost 3.0 V6
The 3.0 litre V6, exclusive to Lincoln, uses twin-turbo EcoBoost technology. That is all Lincoln will divulge at this time. How much power? The Lincoln folks only say it will be sufficient to effortlessly power the vehicle.
The representatives were far more talkative when it came to explaining the plethora of driving technologies installed. Equipped with Lane Keeping, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-collision Assist (which is capable of applying the brakes if ultimately required) and Enhanced Park Assist with 360° camera, they’re all there.
The concept car rides on massive 245/40ZR21 tires that are installed on elegant alloy wheels hiding four large diameter disc brakes. Little else is said about the powertrain or whether it is rear, front or all-wheel drive.
The New Face of Lincoln
The grille is all new and shuns the controversial wing-type design for a more elegant grille and headlamp setup. It also hints at what future Lincolns will look like. The LED matrix headlamps, with laser-assist high beams, light up in a waving pattern to greet the approaching owner. Doors open effortlessly at the touch of the E-Latch button.
The exterior design is long, low and elegantly curvaceous with uninterrupted side panels and an elegant rear roofline that discreetly conceals the rear passengers.
An Interior Befitting a Full-size Luxury Sedan
This is where Lincoln really shows where this concept is going. The revolutionary seats are 30-way adjustable as well as heated and ventilated; in fact they hold over 50 patents. At the touch of a button, the front passenger seat moves forward enough to allow the right rear passenger seat to recline to a semi-horizontal position complete with adjustable foot rest.
Another hint this vehicle is to be chauffeur driven is the Venetian leather seats, detachable travel cases in the front seatbacks, champagne storage compartment and a tablet supporting lap tray complete with a screen to control the ventilation as well as the high-end audio system.
Top of the Line Audio by Revel
Using technologies developed by Harman such as Adaptive Noise Control, Quantum Logic Surround® and Clari Fi™ this audio system could send other luxury makers back to their audio drawing boards. Rear seat passengers can control the entire audio experience choosing any of three modes: Stereo, Audience (like listening to a concert from a front row seat) and On-Stage (like being on stage with the band). The system features 19 speakers from their audiophile-class Revel Ultima™ line and was specifically developed by the Harman/Revel engineers.
Lincoln Finds Its Niche
The Continental Concept is a fresh start with Lincoln finally returning to their roots and producing elegant, desirable luxury cars. It caters to those who demand luxury, elegance and comfort without the need, or desire, to drive a vehicle capable of posting record lap times. This is something Lincoln excelled at in the past and sometimes renewing with the past is a good thing.