Lincoln has been a name synonymous with luxury for as long as the manufacturer has existed and the 2017 Continental aims to help revitalize Lincoln’s brand. The concept was first announced in 2015, and this newest model in the full-size luxury sedan market is more upscale than its siblings, with dramatic styling, elegant interiors, and cutting edge technology.
The exterior styling is described as being a step above the Lincoln MKS. It sports a new front fascia that features Lincoln’s new grille as well as LED headlights to give the car a presence and sophistication at night.
The interior is just as impressive with heated, 10-way adjustable seats, chrome and real wood-trimmed dash, and a 10-speaker audio system. The layout of the dash is a simple one with a large touchscreen that takes the stage as a front centrepiece. Instead of the traditional analog gauges, the Continental features a TFT display with only a few buttons and knobs set up to compliment the touch-sensitive controls in the centre.
Front-wheel drive is standard in the Continental with a 3.7-litre V-6 engine producing 305 horsepower. There is also an optional 2.7-litre turbocharged engine with 335 horsepower and all-wheel drive, or a supreme power 400-hp 3.0-litre twin-turbo V-6. The latter option also has torque-vectoring available and all three engines are partnered with 6-speed automatic transmission.
Some of the available features for the Continental include a 360-Degree camera, designed to help drivers manoeuvre with a complete view of their surroundings in low-speed situations. There are four cameras placed on the front, rear, and sides, merging to provide a birds-eye view of the area surrounding the vehicle. There is also a 180-degree split-view camera situated in the front grille, which will help boost visibility for drivers in cross-traffic situations.
Another great optional safety feature in the Continental is the Pre-collision assist with Pedestrian Detection. Utilizing radar and camera technology, this feature is designed to scan the roadway ahead of the vehicle and detect the presence of another vehicle or pedestrian. If the driver does not respond, it can assist in braking to avoid a collision.
Pricing on the 2017 Lincoln Continental starts at $57,000.
