Lincoln leadership balked when the preliminary studio designs came in for its new large premium sedan. “We were initially not pleased,” said brand president Kumar Galhotra. “But once we told the design team they were working on the new Continental, it totally changed the mood. With the sense of responsibility that comes with that name, the energy just went way up.”
Quiet is the new loud
The Lincoln Continental looks particularly sleek in profile, where the door handles are cleverly integrated into the beltline without the usual door pockets. Using a new electric latch release, the doors open at the touch of a button and can automatically close with an available power-cinching feature. “The handles are ergonomically perfect,” says Galhotra. “Everything about the Continental strives for elegant beauty, a serene experience.”
Signature LED lighting up front carries over from the concept, but with an added touch of elegance for the production car. As the driver approaches the Continental with the key, the lighting scheme on the headlights, taillights, lower front fascia, illuminated welcome mat, and interior slowly fade on. The finishing touch is an available panoramic sunroof that covers nearly the entire roof, with a front section that slides over the rear like in the MKZ sedan.
An interior fit for a flagship
Full suite of powertrains, advanced tech
There will be three available engines for the new Lincoln Continental, but it’s the brand-exclusive 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 that will make waves. As in the refreshed MKZ, the new engine makes 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, paired with standard all-wheel drive and advanced torque-vectoring control.
A 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 will also be offered, mated to either front- or all-wheel drive. Although power numbers haven’t been officially confirmed, we’d expect 315-335 hp depending on tune. A naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V-6 is the base engine, likely packing 300 hp and either front- or all-wheel drive.
For China there will also be a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive, as well as the top-trim 3.0-liter V-6.
Adaptive steering will also be available on the Lincoln Continental, along with three-way adaptive suspension settings. A full tech suite including automated park assist, a 360-degree camera, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control will all be available.
What’s in a name?
For all of its forward-looking technology and modern styling, the Lincoln Continental is about heritage as well. “Names are very powerful and emotional,” says Galhotra. “The ultimate luxury in Lincoln is represented by the Continental name.”
According to Lincoln, the brand’s heritage is distilled into the new mantra of “quiet luxury.” Galhotra and Tobin promise that the brand will be about sophistication and refinement, not hood scoops and exhaust notes. “Somebody else can try to beat BMW at the Nurburgring,” says Tobin. “That’s not us.”
We should expect the Continental to eventually adopt electrification, though. Lincoln won’t confirm it’s in the works right now, but Galhotra was clear that Lincoln will continue to benefit from Ford’s advances in plug-in hybrid technology. And Lincoln’s target customers, the so-called “Creative Elite,” have a vested interest in alternative powertrains.
There are plans for two more vehicles in new segments that will eventually follow the Lincoln Continental. But right now is about the flagship sedan’s time in the limelight, under the snowy gray Detroit sky and bright lights of Cobo Hall. Here’s hoping it’s just the beginning.
The 2017 Lincoln Continental goes on sale this fall. Pricing will start at under $50,000.
