By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos Lincoln Media
The Lincoln Motor Company heralds the return of its flagship, the all-new 2017 Lincoln Continental, an elegant and effortlessly powerful full-size sedan that delivers quiet luxury to the most discerning customers.
Exterior
Continental embodies a timeless definition of beauty, balancing strength and elegance, power and control. The design is thoroughly modern, with Lincoln’s new distinctive grille and an athletic profile that is dynamic and progressive.
Lincoln’s new flagship sedan greets drivers with brand-exclusive lighting gestures to provide a warm welcome. As the driver approaches, signature LED lighting in the lower front body and taillamps subtly engages, and flows gracefully from the headlamps. A luminous Lincoln welcome mat appears beneath the front doors, while warm interior lights discreetly illuminate the cabin.
The graceful lines of the Continental flow seamlessly over the door handles, designed to offer elegant entry with a new door latch system that opens the door effortlessly. The handle is subtly integrated within the beltline, creating a clean profile. At the touch of a button, the doors smoothly open, then use available power-cinching technology to gently close and secure.
An available panoramic sunroof covers nearly the entire roof area. The front half slides up and over the rear creating a large, open-air driving experience and an even greater feeling of spaciousness for up to five Continental occupants.
Interior
Designed to provide a serene experience, the beautifully detailed interior is crafted to be physically comforting, visually soothing and peacefully quiet. From the warmth of its authentic wood accents to the simplicity of its controls, every aspect of this all-new interior environment is designed to provide luxurious comfort for all occupants.
An interior highlight is Lincoln’s new Perfect Position Seats inspired by private jets and high-end office furniture which can be adjusted up to 30 ways. The patented design allows the seat to adjust to individual body shapes and weights for optimal stretch and comfort. Thigh cushions extend and adjust independently, allowing one leg to remain at rest while the other engages the pedals. Optional heating and cooling settings optimize comfort in any climate, while available massage functionality helps reduce muscle fatigue in the upper legs and lower back.
Rear passengers enjoy first-class travel amenities with such available features as audio and climate control, adjustable sunshades, and reclining, heated, cooled and massaging seats, the streamlined interior provides generous rear legroom.
Meticulously sculpted contours, thoughtfully engineered controls and carefully selected materials combine to create a sanctuary for Continental like no other. Opulent materials include leather seating, leather-wrapped console and instrument panel, unique stitching, and genuine wood and aluminum throughout the cabin. Seat stitching is specified at six to seven stitches per inch, creating a couture-like appearance, and the slats of the center console tambour door are laser-cut to maximize consistency of the grain pattern.
Continental occupants can enjoy available Revel audio developed to work in concert with the car’s interior design and acoustics, transforming the cabin into a personal amphitheater with three distinct listening modes stereo, audience and on stage. The 19-speaker Revel Ultima audio system uses patented Clari-Fi music reconstruction technology to enhance digital sources for clear, crisp, dynamic sound.
Performance and Safety
An all-new Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine producing up to 400 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque is designed for smooth, responsive, yet quiet power. Available all-wheel drive paired with Dynamic Torque Vectoring transfers torque on demand to the appropriate rear wheel through corners offering confident handling.
Lincoln Drive Control provides the driver a choice of three settings: comfort, normal and sport, adapting steering and suspension setups to tailor ride and handling. Continuously controlled damping helps isolate Continental from road imperfections, while adaptive steering technology improves steering efficiency and effort.
Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection uses radar and camera technology to scan the roadway ahead and, if a collision risk with a vehicle or pedestrian is detected, provides a warning to the driver. If the driver does not respond in time, the system can automatically apply up to full braking force. Pre-Collision Assist can help drivers avoid rear-end collisions with other vehicles at all speeds, while Pedestrian Detection can help drivers avoid pedestrians at lower speeds. Both can reduce the severity of, even prevent, some forward collisions.
To take the stress out of parallel and perpendicular parking, Lincoln uses ultrasonic sensors on the front and rear of Continental to help locate an appropriate parking space, then automatically steer the car in. The driver only has to operate brake and gas pedals. A 360-degree camera system uses views from cameras mounted in the grille, decklid and 180-degree side mirrors, seamlessly stitching these snapshots together to create an image in the screen so drivers can see around the car, same as if a camera is overhead.
Summary
The Continental name has long been associated with the best Lincoln has to offer, and this car delivers on that promise, for those seeking the highest expression of Lincoln luxury, three Lincoln Black Label designer themes are available: Chalet, Thoroughbred and Continental-exclusive Rhapsody.
Chalet – The comfort of an après-ski lodge, the pulse-raising mountain slopes such are the contrasting pleasures evoked by Chalet. Engaging Espresso and Alpine Venetian leathers with deep Silverwood appliqués give rise to the luxurious ambience of an Alpine vacation.
In the Continental, Alpine and Espresso leathers continue the contrasting theme of a downhill ski experience amid the relaxation of a warm alpine lodge. Alcantara and Silverwood appliqués serve as the perfect complement to all journeys.
Thoroughbred – Celebrates the distinguished and elite lifestyle of horse racing, offering a reflection of traditional American history. Featuring a Jet-Black interior with rich Chestnut leather, this is the perfect companion for the equestrian enthusiast.
In the Continental, rich interior leathers capture the spirit of horse racing, while Chilean Maple wood trim, Alcantara accents and Jet Black trim carry the excitement throughout. The result is a truly elevated expression of understated quiet luxury.
Rhapsody – the signature theme for Lincoln Black Label Continental is specially designed to thrill the senses. Linked to the world of music and sound, Rhapsody offers a distinctly well composed arrangement.
Throughout the interior, Rhapsody Blue leather sets the tone, with Rhapsody Blue Venetian leather offering the perfect accompaniment. Alcantara, silver aluminum mesh accents and Rhapsody Blue trim round out the monochromatic theme, while intricately crafted Rhapsody Blue Metallic exterior paint brings both the Continental color and touch points to a dramatic crescendo.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $65,075.00, the one I drove included the 3.0L Twin Turbo V6 Engine ($3,265.00), 245/40R20 Summer Performance Compound Tires ($195.00), Black Label Rhapsody in Blue (No charge), Continental Technology Package ($3,105.00) and the Continental Climate Control Package ($500.00), and it came in at $73,065.00 including destination & delivery charges. The EPA fuel economy estimates 16 MPG City and 24 MPG Highway.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com
