Ford Motor Company is resurrecting the Lincoln Continental and it just launched the concept car for its classic vehicle in the New York Auto Show beginning on March 30.
Regarded as the ‘sedan of the Presidents,’ the Lincoln Continental has disappeared from the limelight more than 10 years ago when the influx of newer and modern luxury cars from Asia and Europe started flooding the American market, notes WXYZ.
The American carmaker hopes to bring back the classic on stream again after nearly 13 years since the last Lincoln Continental rolled off the assembly line.
Ford has unravelled the concept car for the new Lincoln Continental at the New York International Auto Show, expecting to resurrect by next year not just the classic brand but its record sales performance in the past.
Rich history
The Lincoln Continental is one of the vehicles that can be truly classified as an American car and it has the rich history to prove it too.
The first Continental came out of the assembly line in 1938 from the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company. Soon thereafter, it became the symbol of American luxury. Many US presidents including John F. Kennedy rode on the vehicle during his term in office which was cut short by his assassination in 1969.
King of Rock n Roll Elvis Presley also owned a Lincoln Continental during his prime as musician par excellance.
Ford continued to produce up to the ninth generation of the Lincoln Continental which covered the years from 1995 to 2002 before finally deciding to halt its production.
A look all its own
Despite sharing design underpinnings with less-expensive Ford vehicles, Lincoln Continental had usually been distinctively-styled and a highly-equipped luxury car in its long history. It always had a look all its own.
Except for some modern design tweaks, the resurrected Lincoln Continental, based on the concept car unveiled at the New York Auto Show, is pretty much consistent with the distinct appearance of the luxury vehicle.
The classic split-wing grille has been replaced by a tight rectangular mesh grille. The classic shiny chrome pattern was also replaced with the tiny versions of Lincoln’s rectangular logo, according to Ford.
The new Lincoln Continental also features smoother sides with hidden door handles. It is now being powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine but still maintains the aura and strength of the true-blue Lincoln Continental classic.
Mark Fields, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company, says that the concept car of the new Lincoln Continental still promises the quiet luxury that has been known for in the brand ever since.
He said that luxury is at its best when a car simply and quietly exceeds expectations. He also disclosed that the concept car is a prelude to Ford Motor Company’s introduction into the market next year of the new Lincoln Continental full-size luxury sedan.