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Lincoln Continental Concept Debuts


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Glad to see the Continental name is back! I think it's a good sign for Lincoln's future, and they already have the beloved MKZ as a stablemate. Looking forward to seeing how much of the concept design flows to the production version.

 

The concept is the production version :)

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I don't like the design at all it looks to much like the Bentley Mulsanne. The headlights remind me of the new Acura lights. I think they should have used the same design language from the mkz. Love that the continental name is back.

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After a few days since I first saw it, I've decided I just don't like the grille. It's just too busy.

 

I wonder why they would so drastically make a departure after finally getting all Lincolns fitted with the new family front end look?

 

I really think Lincoln should stay with a design that can be immediately identified as the Lincoln brand. You can identify a Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Acura etc. immediately by it's front end.

 

Just saying.........

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I really believe that the wheels will be different when the production version comes out, so that may help the overall appearance. The car reminds me of an Audi. I too prefer the Lincoln family grill design, one of the many factors which drew me towards buying an MKZ.

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  • 3 months later...

I really believe that the wheels will be different when the production version comes out, so that may help the overall appearance. The car reminds me of an Audi. I too prefer the Lincoln family grill design, one of the many factors which drew me towards buying an MKZ.

 

I really think that Lincoln is throwing a few designs into the air here.  I think the MKZ looks great as does the new MKX.  The Continental is a real departure and I think it's really tailored for China for than any place else.  A gamble?

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I agree. I think it's a big gamble... I hate to say it, reminds me of the Thunderbird.

I don't think the TBird was a gamble, but a deliberate limited niche car to inject some life in the traditional Ford offerings of the time. I remember how much people drooled over the car, but still went ahead and got the family Ford car. But the Retro was indeed a signature car to lure people into the showroom.

 

I know I am biased since I own...and adore... a RetroBird, but I am sure Ford never planned to produce the car for more than 4 years.

 

For the Continental, it appears to be a calculated move for Lincoln to rival Buick for a chunk of the Asian market and beyond. it's a good move,and I am so pleased the Continental brand is back. Long live Lincoln!

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I have to politely disagree with you (I know I liked your comment and then say I disagree, but I think you made some good points). The Thunderbird was expected to sell fairly well and after a nice initial launch sales declined each year with under 22,000 sold in the last two years of production, a number which is below what they expected per year. I agree it may never have been meant for a mass revival, but for the production cost (initial design, r&d, tooling up a plant, etc) it's rare to see a large production company put out a car that is niche unless they can charge a premium while only making a limited number. That worked for one year. Some of your low production companies, think higher end, can afford to do this. I love when Ford produces the GT and other neat vehicles, but the amount of money put into their production is not typically offset through limited production runs.

 

I'm not trying to rain on the parade for the continental, it's interesting and I hope it does well. Something about it just doesn't seem like it will hit the market they currently sit in. I hope I'm wrong though!

Edited by BlackPano
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Well, first of all, it's a good thing we have differing opinions on some topics - when it is respectful, as is the case here..... Otherwise the world would be rather bland if we just all agreed. Mind you, we all seem to love the MKZ! Thank goodness...

 

But briefly back to the Retrobird...... Ford knew what it was doing, especially in the pricing strategy... Markups were indeed crazy in 2002, but invoice prices stayed high through its last year in 2005... Though I bought my Retro from the original owner, the 2002 sticker price (Canadian) was over $59k! And it actually sold in the 60's back then....I compare the life of the retro to the Plymouth Prowler.... Extremely retro with no realistic way to redesign the model for future years - it is what it is, and both the Prowler and Retrobird ran their course with their intended design. The Retrobird is not like the Mustang where that car evolves over its illustrious continuing life. A back seat and raw power per buck has something to do with it.

 

Now with the Continental. I think it is focusing on a "world" design - safe, and should appeal to various markets, as long as those concept wheels stay with the concept design only. And I am glad the Continental looks different than the MKZ - i just hope the MKZ keeps its base look in future designs.

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I agree, they need to keep some identity. Although they cannot really win. Be different and everyone cries the car changes too much... Be like Mercedes and BMW with a generic same basic look across models for decades and everyone cries they are boring.

 

I think if they can keep a basic grille design and mold it over the years that will appease more people and give them the identity they lack.

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I agree, they need to keep some identity. Although they cannot really win. Be different and everyone cries the car changes too much... Be like Mercedes and BMW with a generic same basic look across models for decades and everyone cries they are boring.

 

I think if they can keep a basic grille design and mold it over the years that will appease more people and give them the identity they lack.

That was very well put.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I guess I am in the minority but I love the new grille I think it looks great.  I can't wait to see it on the MKZ, there were a few shots of the 2017 or 16 MKZ wearing camo where you could see the new Conti grill sticking out.  The rest of the Z looked the same.  I think the rear end of the Z is it's best styling feature and with the a conti front it will look even better but just my opinion.

 

I was never really a big fan of the split wing grille.  The only 2 I like it on are the C and the new X.  It's just OK on the Z.

Edited by Andrew L
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