Lincoln Debuts It's New Design Language with Continental Flagship Sedan Concept

[Gecko]

Lincoln is making a huge splash in New York this week, rolling out the Continental Concept you see here. Not only does this bring back an iconic bit of Lincoln nomenclature (just as some competitors aremaking things more complicated), it previews the new Continental fullsize sedan that will come to market next year.

This is "a concept which for us signals the future of what we call quiet luxury," Ford Motor Companypresident and CEO, Mark Fields, said during an event Sunday. "The Concept is a very strong hint – I'll underline very strong hint – as to what you'll see in the production vehicle."

There's no other way to say it: the Continental looks stunning. It's a long, low-slung sedan, with a shape that's reminiscent of the Ford Interceptor Concept from 2007. But this thing is all Lincoln, and shows a host of new design cues that will no doubt work their way across the brand's range. Most notably, the split-wing grille is gone, with this new chrome centerpiece showing a "new face for Lincoln" (where have we heard that before?). The Continental also incorporates LED matrix headlamps, with laser-assist high-beams and tiny Lincoln logos embedded inside.

For the doors, Lincoln uses "E-Latch" handles that tuck discretely into the Continental's beltine. The concept rolls on polished aluminum, 21-inch wheels with painted pockets. Up above, the Continental has a SPD SmartGlass tinting sunroof that can keep the interior up to 18 degrees cooler.

Around back, the Continental has a wide, planted stance, with taillamps that stretch from side to side. These lamps have "light-through-chrome" technology, which means they have a chrome look when not illuminated. Rounding out the whole design are slim, wide exhaust outlets that look fantastic.

The main focus of the Continental is luxury, and Lincoln says this car uses "the brand's most sensual materials ever." That includes Venetian leather seats and door panels, Alcantara on the seat inserts and armrests, a satin headliner and wool carpet. Lighting is also a key feature, with an ambient glow that radiates throughout the cabin and "soft-gold" LED lights in the center console.

As for comfort, the Continental's 30-way seats are said to mold to passengers' sizes and shapes. Rear seat passengers have it best, though, with a two-seat layout, tray tables, a champagne storage compartment, and detachable, handmade Venetian leather travel cases. It's the sort of thing you'd expect in a long-wheelbase S-Class, and shows Lincoln's intent to reclaim its historic position among the world's best brands (even if it has a long way to go in the showroom).

Lincoln won't reavel too many details about what's under the hood, only saying that the Continental uses an all-new, 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 that is said to be exclusive to the brand. Mum's the word about drivetrain as well, but we're really hoping for rear-wheel drive – in line with long-standing rumors.

No matter, the Continental Concept is a seriously sweet thing, and we can't wait to see how it transforms into a production car next year.

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2015/03/30/...ept-new-york-official-photos-videos/#image-20

 

[Gecko]

PRESS RELEASE


Lincoln Continental Concept Shows the Future of Quiet Luxury and Upcoming Full-size Sedan

– Elegant, effortlessly powerful and serene, the Lincoln Continental Concept signals the brand's all-new full-size sedan coming next year and the future of quiet luxury

– Lincoln Continental Concept integrates technologies designed to create better drivers, rejuvenate and entertain passengers, including all-new, Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter EcoBoost® engine, patented 30-way seats and premium Revel audio system

– New Continental Concept introduces E-Latch door handles, LED matrix headlamps with laser-assist high beams and SPD SmartGlass® tinting sunroof

NEW YORK, March 30, 2015 –Lincoln today introduces the Continental Concept, signaling an all-new full-size sedan coming next year and the future of quiet luxury.

Elegant, effortlessly powerful and serene, the Continental Concept blends meticulous craftsmanship and technologies designed to create better drivers and provide passengers with a more relaxing and entertaining environment inspired by first-class travel.


"Luxury at its best is about simplifying and quietly exceeding expectations, rather than being the loudest statement on the road," said Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company president and CEO. "The Continental Concept showcases the promise of quiet luxury from Lincoln going forward. It also is a strong indication of what's to come next year as we introduce our new Lincoln Continental full-size luxury sedan."

With a sleek silhouette and a new centered chrome grille, the Continental Concept signals the arrival of a new face for Lincoln. A raised Lincoln badge is surrounded by a span of repeating polished aluminum Lincoln Star emblems.

E-Latch door handles tuck discreetly in the clean vehicle beltline. The door handle technology also provides for elegant entry. The doors open effortlessly with the touch of a button positioned on the underside of the door handle wings and close quietly.

"Some brands talk about 'the machine,' " said Kumar Galhotra, Lincoln president. "Lincoln is different. For us, it is about more than the machine. It is about what our vehicles do for our clients."

New technology is a hallmark of the vehicle. It starts with the vehicle sensing your approach and lighting up to greet you inside and out.

Outside, signature full-width tail lamps feature advanced light-through-chrome technology. Powerful LED matrix head lamps with laser-assist high beams reduce glare and improve visibility.


Rhapsody Blue metallic paint calls back Lincoln Continental's signature color.

Inside are the brand's most sensual materials ever, including Venetian leather seat and door panels, Alcantara® seat inserts and armrests, satin headliner and shearling wool carpet. Rose Gold trim around the instrument cluster provides warmth. Bright chrome trim on the instrument panel adds contrast.

Ambient lighting enhances the interior, creating a serene environment. Soft-gold LED lights glow from the center console and from the halo light overhead.

Patented 30-way Lincoln-designed seats use a new-to-market design that conforms to passengers' sizes and shapes. The passenger-side rear seat can fully recline by moving the front passenger seat forward with the touch of a button.

From a panel mounted on the through-center console, rear passengers also can control climate settings and the Revel Ultima audio system, which allows passengers to select from three surround-sound modes: Stereo, Audience and On-Stage.

Rear-seat comfort is further highlighted by an SPD SmartGlass® tinting sunroof, which allows passengers to control heat from direct sunlight. With the touch of a button, the glass can cool the vehicle interior by as much as 18 degrees Fahrenheit, while blocking 99 percent of UV rays.

Rear-seat passengers also enjoy the convenience of a tablet-supporting lap tray that deploys from the through-center console. It also features a champagne storage compartment. Detachable, hand-crafted Venetian leather travel cases are mounted to the backside of the front seats.


Under the skin, the Continental Concept is powered by a Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter V6 EcoBoost® engine. It also features Lincoln Drive Control ride-enhancing technologies and Adaptive Steering. The car rides on polished-aluminum, painted-pocket 21-inch wheels.

Driver assist technologies include Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Enhanced Park Assist and a 360-degree camera that displays on the MyLincoln Touch™ screen.


"The Lincoln Continental name is associated with iconic beauty and elegance," said David Woodhouse, Lincoln design director. "Capturing those qualities and building upon them drove us as we crafted this thoroughly modern sedan concept."

The Lincoln Continental Concept is at the New York International Auto Show, which opens Wednesday for members of the news media.

 

[Gecko]

Much of the media seems to be going crazy over the new Continental, but I am not quite as enthused.

For one, I find the new front end to be incredibly generic. While the existing face of Lincoln is somewhat awkward (IMO), at least it has a unique presence. This looks like a mash-up of Kia and Chrysler design cues. The shape of the grill is generic and it's annoying to see yet another automaker turn to mesh inserts. The shape and detail in the headlights is similarly generic.

The side flanks start off with a Chrysler 300-like high beltline and then taper off into an A7 or 9-5-style rear quarter panel. The shape of the back end reminds me of an A7 while the detailing looks rather generic and like some of the new Mercedes butts.

I want to like this car, but the design is very uninspiring to me.

 

[RAL]

It is certainly different from their current offerings. More refined, but not an average Joe head turner.

 

[mikeavelli]

While I agree the front end is "safe" and I would have preferred a return to their waterfall grill, I think I see some influence from their badge for the grill. The rear has a Rolls kind of air and the full length LED rear is dope. The interior doesn't seem as large as they are making it out to be but I have no idea what the dimensions are so it could be an illusion.

I think Lincoln finally realized what they were doing WAS NOT working and they need to make big American designs and American names. And almost nothing is better than Lincoln Continental. People would buy it on the name alone.

I think they are on to something!

 

[krew]

Front looks like a Jaguar, but I like everything else. The rear is fantastic, love the unapologetic squareness to the whole thing.

Sorry @Gecko, there's something here I really like.

 

[mikeavelli]

Bentley is none too pleased!!!!
http://www.autonews.com/article/201...hiefs-clash-online?cciid=email-autonews-daily

 

[CIF]

Wait, didn't Lincoln have a Continental concept over 10 years ago or so? So yet another concept? Let's hope this leads to an actual production car.

Sorry Gecko, I'm with krew as well. This design screams Lincoln to me. Very big, brash, and did I mention big?
Just looking at how long, wide, unapologetically square and unapologetically American it looks, I think it works very well all around.

 

[mmcartalk]

Wait, didn't Lincoln have a Continental concept over 10 years ago or so?

Yes.....the 2002 Continental Concept. It had more of a classic 60s look than the present one.

 

[CIF]

Yeah that's the one I was thinking of, thanks!