2000 Lincoln Continental Time Capsule One Owner 57k Mile Desert Car Always Gara on 2040-cars

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The Lincoln Continental is back [w/videos]

Lincoln is making a huge splash in New York this week, rolling out the Continental Concept you see here. Not only does this bring back an iconic bit of Lincoln nomenclature (just as some competitors are making things more complicated), it previews the new Continental fullsize sedan that will come to market next year. This is "a concept which for us signals the future of what we call quiet luxury," Ford Motor Company president and CEO, Mark Fields, said during an event Sunday. "The Concept is a very strong hint – I'll underline very strong hint – as to what you'll see in the production vehicle." There's no other way to say it: the Continental looks stunning. It's a long, low-slung sedan, with a shape that's reminiscent of the Ford Interceptor Concept from 2007. But this thing is all Lincoln, and shows a host of new design cues that will no doubt work their way across the brand's range. Most notably, the split-wing grille is gone, with this new chrome centerpiece showing a "new face for Lincoln" (where have we heard that before?). The Continental also incorporates LED matrix headlamps, with laser-assist high-beams and tiny Lincoln logos embedded inside. For the doors, Lincoln uses "E-Latch" handles that tuck discretely into the Continental's beltine. The concept rolls on polished aluminum, 21-inch wheels with painted pockets. Up above, the Continental has a SPD SmartGlass tinting sunroof that can keep the interior up to 18 degrees cooler. Around back, the Continental has a wide, planted stance, with taillamps that stretch from side to side. These lamps have "light-through-chrome" technology, which means they have a chrome look when not illuminated. Rounding out the whole design are slim, wide exhaust outlets that look fantastic. The main focus of the Continental is luxury, and Lincoln says this car uses "the brand's most sensual materials ever." That includes Venetian leather seats and door panels, Alcantara on the seat inserts and armrests, a satin headliner and wool carpet. Lighting is also a key feature, with an ambient glow that radiates throughout the cabin and "soft-gold" LED lights in the center console. As for comfort, the Continental's 30-way seats are said to mold to passengers' sizes and shapes. Rear seat passengers have it best, though, with a two-seat layout, tray tables, a champagne storage compartment, and detachable, handmade Venetian leather travel cases.

Lincoln announces its first EV will be built on Rivian platform

Confirming months of reports, Lincoln announced that its first fully electric vehicle will be based on the Rivian electric platform. That platform will underpin the Rivian R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV. Lincoln didn't specify whether this EV will be a car, truck or SUV, but all signs point to an SUV. The company highlighted its revamp of crossover and SUV models and how they've helped increase the brand's sales. Rivian's CEO R.J. Scaringe also said previously that it would build an SUV for Lincoln. In that same report, Scaringe noted that the Lincoln electric SUV would launch sometime in 2022, and it would be built at the factory in Illinois where it will also build the R1T and R1S. The R1T and R1S are expected to go into production at the end of 2020. Based on what we know about the Rivians, it could have a range from 230 to 400 miles and output as high as 800 horsepower from a quartet of motors. The production of the Lincoln electric SUV on the Rivian platform in the Rivian factory may also be a factor in Rivian lowering the prices of its vehicles. The base R1T was initially priced around $70,000 and the base R1S at around $72,000. But with the addition of the third Lincoln variant, now has more vehicles to recoup development costs. Related Video:    

Lincoln scales back free maintenance

Complimentary scheduled maintenance programs have been great tools for luxury automakers to draw in new customers, but some are starting to scale their programs back considerably. According to Automotive News, Lincoln is joining Jaguar and Volvo on the list of automakers reducing the length of time it will be providing free maintenance to its customers.
Lincoln's four-year/50,000-mile maintenance program first kicked off as an incentive in 2010 and became permanent later that year, but starting with the 2014 model year, this will be cut to just two years and 24,000 miles. This could make short-term leases even more appealing for some consumers, but according to Automotive News, some Lincoln dealers are unhappy with the scaling back. The move admittedly comes at an odd time for Lincoln, with parent Ford seemingly working hard to increase consideration among luxury buyers as it looks to reverse the marque's long decline.