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The New Lincoln Continental Looks Even Better In Person

The New Lincoln Continental Looks Even Better In Person

Earlier today we brought you the first glimpse of Lincoln's new Continental concept, set to be revealed in public at the New York auto show later this week. In general, the vast amount of commenters in the article liked Lincoln's attempt at a modern interpretation of the iconic Continental, but the news gets better still.

I've just come out of another private screening for the car here in New York, and compared to the pictures (which I liked but didn't love), it looks even better. It's the attention to detail that gets lost in the imagery, like the wing-shaped door handles that are embedded into the chrome trim below the windows. It makes the car's side silhouette that much cleaner (and longer). From every angle, the Continental just looks stunning.

And when you open the doors, that attention to detail stems further still  from the reclining rear seat that looks straight off of Trump's private jet to the split bolsters that can be customized individually for both the left and right side of the seat. We could talk all day about the bits that pictures (or words) don't do justice, but the fact here is this  Lincoln nailed it, stealing some of Cadillac's thunder in the process. (Caddy is unveiling the CT6 here in New York, its new flagship sedan.)

But this design didn't come easy. Developing a modern-day version of a classic is a daunting task, but Lincoln says that once the Continental name was whispered around the office, the motivation and passion that it evoked made the process far more seamless; Ford CEO Mark Fields admits that pre-Continental nomenclature, his team just weren't connecting with the project.

A look at the Continental's heritage
A look at the Continental's heritage

Rumors suggest the Lincoln-specific 3.0-liter V-6 may power all four wheels (or at least arrive with an available AWD system) but don't expect mega power figures or a growling exhaust note. That, according to Lincoln, is not the objective with this car. Its targeted customers in the luxury full-size sedan segment are those with an eye for elegance rather than aggression. And I think that's smart. Why take on the Germans at their own game when you won't win? Lincoln's coming at the segment from an alternate angle  one that, crucially, will also work well in Asia.

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Yes, this car is just a concept. But it's one that will be built, with a production Continental arriving next year.  The big question? How watered-down will the production car be? Fields told me that it will inevitably be tamed, but not by much. If it arrives with 80-percent of the concept's details still intact, Lincoln's onto a winner.

Don't believe me? Wait until you see it in person.