2016 Lincoln Continental Concept

Lincoln has a new Continental, but it calls it a concept car for now. Previewed ahead of its official debut at the New York Auto Show, the Lincoln Continental Concept is an anticipation of the all-new full-size sedan coming next year.

The sedan features an all-new one-piece centered grille, classic proportions and sophisticated details including LED matrix headlamps with laser-assist high beams, full-width tail lamps with light-through-chrome technology and E-Latch door handles, tucked discretely in the vehicle beltline. Lincoln says these handles make opening and closing doors easier and quieter. 

The raised Lincoln badge is surrounded by a span of repeating polished aluminum Lincoln Star emblems, while the Rhapsody Blue metallic paint reminds of the classic Lincoln Continental’s signature color. The car rides on polished-aluminum, painted-pocket 21-inch wheels.

The interior features the brand’s “most sensual materials ever,” including Venetian leather seat and door panels, Alcantara seat inserts and armrests, satin headliner and shearling wool carpet. Details include Rose Gold trim around the instrument cluster, bright chrome trim on the instrument panel and ambient lighting. 

The 30-way adjustable seats use a new-to-market design that is said to conform to passengers’ sizes and shapes. The passenger-side rear seat can fully recline by moving the front passenger seat forward with the touch of a button.

Rear passengers also can control climate settings and the Revel Ultima audio system from a panel mounted on the through-center console. There’s also an SPD SmartGlass tinting sunroof, which allows passengers to control heat from direct sunlight. At the touch of a button, the glass can cool the vehicle interior by as much as 18 degrees Fahrenheit (7.7 degrees Celsius) , while blocking 99 percent of UV rays.

Under the skin, the Lincoln Continental Concept features a Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter V6 EcoBoost engine, but the company didn’t offer details about its specifications yet. The car also features Lincoln Drive Control ride-enhancing technologies and Adaptive Steering. 

Driver assist technologies include Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Enhanced Park Assist and a 360-degree camera that displays on the MyLincoln Touch screen.

“The Continental Concept showcases the promise of quiet luxury from Lincoln going forward. It also is a strong indication of what’s to come next year as we introduce our new Lincoln Continental full-size luxury sedan,” said Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company president and CEO.

We’ll learn more about the study on Wednesday, when it debuts officially at the New York Auto Show.

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2013 Lincoln MKZ Sedan

The production model doesn't seem to have changed much from the concept MKZ we saw at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show in January, as the only visible differences we spotted in these pictures are the bigger headlamps, the door handles, the larger exterior mirrors and of course, the smaller alloy wheels.

We don’t get any photos of the rear end, but we assume that the 2013 MKZ will keep the concept vehicle's full-width tail lamps.

The same appears to hold true for the interior with only modest changes here are and there such as the less extravagant but probably more practical and useful air vent designs.

We already know that the 2013 MKZ shares its running gear and platform architecture with the new Ford Fusion (Mondeo in Europe). This means it will certainly get the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost petrol unit with 240-horses as well as a hybrid version powered by a 2.0-liter four pot, but we're not sure yet what other engines will be on offer.

A couple of days ago, Lincoln also confirmed the availability of an optional glass roof measuring 15.2 square feet or 1.41 square meters.

Photo Credits: Lincoln via Autoforum

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Lincoln MKZ Concept

What's important about the MKZ study is its styling language along with the ambience and the various gadgets and features of the interior, which looks more production ready than the exterior.

On the outside, most surfaces and details are new with the exception of the front end that looks like a slightly more modern version with a split-wing grille and relatively small headlamps pushed towards the corners.

Inside, the concept has seating for four with champagne-colored leather seats, while the passenger enjoying the view from the panoramic glass roof that spans from the windshield to the top of the backlight.

Among other features, the MKZ's cabin sports push-button transmission gear selection, an open, tiered center console and liquid crystal instrumentation.


The Blue Oval did not release any information on the MKZ's hardware, but we know that it rides on the same platform as the new 2013 Ford Fusion sharing the same 112.2-in (2,850mm) wheelbase.

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