In a rather understated fashion, the Ford’s luxury arm has launched the 2017 Lincoln Continental full-size sedan in the Middle East – reviving a long-established nameplate that served several dignitaries over the many decades in North America. No launch events, no fancy lunches, no track dates…true story!
But the sophisticated 2017 Lincoln Continental doesn’t need any of that, they hope that it speaks for itself. The other day I saw one sitting among regulars in the showroom and it blew my mind. The form stuck with me for hours. Sure, it bears a conventional 3-box saloon silhouette, but is distinguished by several exquisite details – some marked by chrome.
The new face of Lincoln gets adaptive LED headlamps – a beautiful arrangement – complemented by the all-new one-piece Lincoln signature grille in chrome. More chrome around the glazed areas hints at the upmarket feel while, the typical full-width tail lamps with LED strips and body-infused tail pipes complete the modern interpretation of the classic sedan.
Fuel in the 2017 Lincoln Experience is fed to an available Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-litre Twin Turbo V6 engine. When paired with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system, the twin-turbocharged engine produces GSO-rated 378 PS at 6,000 rpm and 575 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm which sounds more than sufficient to power your way down highways and drag strips. Other engine alternatives include a 2.7-litre Twin Turbo delivering 344 PS at 4,750 rpm with and 542 Nm of torque at 3,000 rpm; and a 3.7-litre V6, developing 313 PS at 6,500 rpm and 379 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Both options come with all-wheel drive. Estimated fuel economy for all 3 variants are 11.0l/100km, 11.2l/100km and 10.4l/100km, respectively.
The cabin is entered by using the unique and exclusive E-latch entry. By simply pressing a button on the door handles, it activates a new microprocessor-controlled E-latch electronic lock and release making it truly luxurious. While the available auto-cinch feature secures the door latch when gently closed.
The cabin architecture is very classically styled – almost an evolved 80’s cabin. Lavish space front and back populated by dual tone scheme, with technological and convenience highlights that elevate the look.
Available are Perfect Position front seats inspired by a private aircraft that can be adjusted up to 30 ways…yes, 30-ways! The seats also have available heating, cooling and massaging functionality. It also gets Active Noise Control that cancels out unwanted noises and for those who enjoy some good quality buzz in their ears is a concert-quality Revel audio system. Supposedly, more than 200 speaker grille designs were considered before settling on these gorgeous perforated aluminium grilles that is remind one if B&O and Burmester speakers.
A welcome lighting sets the tone as you approach the Lincoln Continental thanks to exterior welcome mats illuminate and soft exterior and interior lights glow to provide feeling of a warm welcome. While ambient interior lights on the door panels, instrument panel and cupholders have also been programmed to softly illuminate the interior.
The new 2017 Lincoln Continental features a variety of technologies designed to help keep the driver in control, like the optional adaptive cruise control, which can automatically slow the vehicle in slowing or stop-and-go traffic – resuming speed when traffic clears. To make easy parallel and perpendicular parking, Lincoln’s Active Park Assist will steer your vehicle into a parking space, while a new available 360-degree camera system allows the driver to see around the car when in reverse. And available Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection uses radar and camera technology to scan the roadahead and, if a collision risk is detected, it provides a warning to the driver.
You also have an available expansive twin-panel moonroof to revel at the skyscrapers of Dubai.
At this point in time it looks like a promising buy, but only a proper test drive can second that. Watch this space for more updates on the 2017 Lincoln Continental. Retail prices are set around the AED 300,000 mark in Dubai, UAE.
