Lincoln Continental Rides Again for Ford in 2016

(Detroit Free Press/TNS) —
With a sleek silhouette and a new centered chrome grille, the Continental Concept signals the arrival of a new face for Lincoln. (Ford Motor Company)
With a sleek silhouette and a new centered chrome grille, the Continental Concept signals the arrival of a new face for Lincoln. (Ford Motor Company)
Bright chrome trim on the instrument panel contrasts with the all-Rhapsody Blue interior. (Ford Motor Company)
Bright chrome trim on the instrument panel contrasts with the all-Rhapsody Blue interior. (Ford Motor Company)
Rear-seat passengers enjoy the convenience of a tablet-supporting lap tray that deploys from the through-center console. It also features a champagne storage compartment. (Ford Motor Company)
Rear-seat passengers enjoy the convenience of a tablet-supporting lap tray that deploys from the through-center console. It also features a champagne storage compartment. (Ford Motor Company)

Lincoln is resurrecting the Continental name for its new flagship sedan, signaling Ford’s deep commitment to returning the brand to its former glory as a top luxury choice.

Designers were charged with creating a full-size car to replace the Lincoln MKS that rekindles the brand’s timeless elegance. The Continental has a Lincoln-logo mesh grille, chromed headlights, fine materials, disguised door handles and a rear seat fit for a king. The concept car to be unveiled at the New York auto show this week has deep-pile carpet and a silken headliner.

“They have leapfrogged to a different realm of luxury,” said Michelle Krebs, analyst with AutoTrader.com. “Lincoln to date has been premium but not necessarily luxury. This moves them to the true luxury realm.”

The new flagship blows up some fledgling Lincoln signatures, dropping the alphanumeric MKS name and showing yet another revamped Lincoln with a completely new look and presence. The car will goes on sale next year, likely as a 2017 model.

 

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Lincoln Continental Concept

— New flagship drops MKS name for storied Continental name that dates back to Edsel Ford’s one-off personal car in 1939.

— New face of Lincoln includes a grille with the logo replicated in mesh. Gone is the horizontal split grille.

— Deep pile carpet and silky headliner (for the show car only)

— Reclining rear seat with footrest and briefcase integrated into the seat back. Adjustable 30 ways, seats are heated, cooled, massaging and have 50 patents pending.

— Power to come from a new 3-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine unique to the Lincoln brand

— Expected to remain front-wheel drive with available all-wheel drive

— Goes on sale next year, likely as a 2017 model

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