While sharing the basic undercarriage as the Ford Fusion, the Lincoln Continental from the bottom up has an unmatched look of its own.
From its early beginnings of a one-off, personal vehicle for Ford Motor Company president Edsel Ford in 1939. The Continental has since become the flagship luxury sedan. First brought back into the limelight in 2015 at the New York Auto Show as a concept to replace the previous Lincoln MKS; after its long cancellation in 2002. The concept car was infamous for its comparisons to the Bentley Continental GT (and not just in name) and has become the basis for the production of the 2017 Ford Continental.
Now a year older, the 2018 Lincoln Continental has remodeled its package from the previous year. Four previously optional packages are now standard on specific trim options. The trims being the Premier, Select, Reserve and Black Label. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, navigation, and SiriusXM Travel Link are now standard on the Select Trim. While the Black Label trim contains additional Technology package and Climate package accompanied with a panoramic sunroof. Within these packages are lane assist, adaptive cruise control, heads-up display, automated emergency braking, self-parking, automatic headlights and dimming mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and heated seats throughout. All available models feature 4G LTE data connection with hotspot capability. As well as additional colors with some absurd names have been added: Iced Mocha, Ivory Pearl, Blue Diamond, and Rhapsody Blue.
The engine base is a 2.7-litre twin-turbocharged V6. Capable of producing 355 horsepower, and 380 lb.-ft. Of torque. This comes with a fuel economy of 12.0L/100km combined highway and city driving. There’s also an optional 3.0L twin-turbo V6 for the top level trims exclusively. Pushing the horsepower and torque to an even 400 each respectively. The tested Continental was, in fact, the top level option, and the power was sufficient for its price-point, however as many have criticized; I would have liked to see a fuel-efficient option available.
Smooth and seamless is what you would describe the overall drivability. Comfort mode seemed to be the more favorable option while driving. Typically in a luxury sedan, the suspension feels loose to begin with and then with the additional comfort mode, most vehicles feel too loose. This wasn’t what I experienced in the Lincoln Continental under comfort mode. Moreover, the sport mode felt redundant. The increase in noise from the exhaust, high revolutions, and stiffness isn’t the purpose of this vehicle.
Now I touched on the appearance drawing comparisons to Bentley’s styling; which when it made its debut in 2015, Bentley stated it was in fact a copy.
“Finally a ‘Bentley for the masses’ though…”
-Bentley designer Luc Donckerwolke
To me, I wouldn’t say it’s a copy more so an ode. There are only so many design options, some are bound to be similar. Lincoln went with what they felt best represented true luxury. In order to obtain one of the more roomy cabin spaces, the length of the Continentals dimensions exceeds its competitors. Measuring at 201.4 inches in length and 78 inches wide, the Continental is at least 6 inches longer and 4 inches wider than its Audi, BMW, and Genesis counterparts. Their are just the right amount of chrome around the vehicle and the door handles are located distinguishably integrated the window sills is an amazing idea. They seemingly unlock under minimal pressure and almost just pop open. While closing features a soft close to the door as the mechanism clinched the latch closed automatically. This sounds like an unnecessary feature, but it’s unbelievably satisfying and extravagant. Almost reminiscent of a doorman at an exclusive hotel. The rear-end has one of the very few horizontal-style tail lights I find appealing. This may be due to the fact it’s slimmer than most and parallels an elegant chrome Lincoln embroidery.
When it comes to the interior of the Continental, rear-seated passengers were part of the focus, not a side piece. While all in all, the entire cabin was extremely spacious and comfortable thanks to the excessive size throughout. It seemed, however, that design elements were an afterthought. With a mixture of wood grain, aluminum, chrome, and some plastic; Lincoln loses some of its sophistication here. With the Climate package, passengers get to enjoy heated seats entirely, rear audio control, and even massage and recline capability. Luxury treatment is also available for the front seats in the form of an all-new 30-way-adjustable Perfect Position. The transmission shifter remains a button system, also seen in the Ford Fusion. I hate this. There’s something unpleasantly unnatural about pushing a button for reverse. Ironically making me feel uncomfortable driving an otherwise extremely comfortable vehicle.
