I just don't think its that crazy- honestly the subtleties in proportion make all the difference to me.

 

I agree, the whole idea is to push the brand and not the individual model. All the luxury brands are now doing this. I think the front end of the new Lincoln cars is a home run. The interior of the Conti is solid. But the MKZ could use some work inside.

 

I think that what they are trying to do is to breathe some life into the MKZ's low sales. When the 2G MKZ debuted in 2013 (the original 1G version had used both the MKZ and Zephyr nameplates), it had one of those rather awkward Lincoln wing-grilles, somewhat awkward-to-use finger-slide-sensor controlled for volume and climate-control, and (IMO, when I test-drove it) rather unimpressive road manners for a luxury-grade sedan. In fact, its own less-expensive brother Ford Fusion, done on the same platform, had better road manners for less money. Plus, the MKZ was sold out of the very same bread-and-butter Ford dealerships, not luxury-grade dealerships like arch-rival Cadillac. Lincoln attempted to address several of those problems last year, in a 2017 re-fresh, by junking the finger-slide controls and retiring to ***** and levers, revising the interior trim slightly, softening the suspension slightly for a more Lincoln-like ride, and, of course, tossing the wing-grille and putting on a somewhat smaller version of the Continental grille. Yes, it makes the MKZ and Continental difficult to tell apart from the front, but, IMO, does a heck of a lot for the MKZ.....and IMO, should help to stimulate some badly-needed sales. I fact, should I decide to get a new car in the next year or so (I'm very well-pleased with my Verano, but usually get a new car about every 5-6 years or so), with new Veranos discontinued being after this year, the MKZ is on my top-consideration list for sedans, along with the Lexus ES350, Kia Cadenza, Buick LaCrosse, Buick Regal, and Chevy Impala.

 

I saw the new Navigator yesterday at the D.C. auto show, and, yes, it has a somewhat taller version of the Continental/MKZ front end.

 

The MKC did get some work inside, for the 2017 refresh, along with the new Continental grille. Interior and dash trim was slightly revised (and upgraded in material quality), the awkward finger-slide sensors were tossed out where they belonged (replaced with easy-to-use round ***** and levers), and the suspension and sound insulation were (supposedly) improved, though I can't verify that part of it without a test-drive. I haven't driven the latest 2017 refresh yet, but I may (?) do so next week with the Ford/Lincoln test-drive offer from the D.C. Auto Show....a real test-drive, not just the Mickey-Mouse course on the city streets around the Convention center.

And......how can we all forget one of the biggest 2017 MKZ additions of all...the 3.0TT 400 HP V6 engine, with its 400 ft-lbs. of torque? That's the same as the Continental's (and Cadillac CT6's) top power-plant...though it adds over $4000 extra to the MKZ's list price.

The MKZ, however, pays second-fiddle to the Buick Lacrosse in one area.....the LaCrosse comes with a standard N/A V6, where the MKZ makes do (like the CT6) with a standard 2.0T four. But, conversely, the MKZ's simple transmission buttons beat the pants off of the LaCrosse's awkward E-shifter.

 

OK, I understand your feelings about the Continental's Taurus-based, transverse-engine, FWD/AWD platform.....and I respect your opinion on that, even though I don't think it makes much difference from a RWD platform in typical American driving conditions, at American speeds. But, as I see it, for the price (45K to start) it's hard to argue that they could have done much more inside. With the possible exception of the Mercedes Maybach, It is probably the plushest-looking interior this side of a 300K Rolls or Bentley.

 

He's talking about what's going to appear on the unreleased production Navigator.

 

It should have been the basis of a new premium platform for Lincoln...instead of a retreaded Taurus platform. I'm not a huge FWD guy, but it can be done right,,,look at the Volvo S90. This is typical retreaded Ford...just like my Dad's Continental was 27 years ago which is a shame when this was supposed to put Lincoln back on the map.

To say the Continental has the nicest interior south of a Rolls or a Bentley is hilarious LOL. It's pretty nice, let's not,get crazy though. Many nicer interiors on the road south of a Rolls or Bentley. Sorry but that's really absurd.

 

I was in the back of a continental livery vehicle. I was pretty impress with the looks of the car and interior was nice. But not Bentley or Mercedes or Lexus nice.

 

If you think it was hilarious, I think you misunderstood what I was getting at. Of course it does not use the same materials inside (acres of hand-rubbed woods, leather from cows specially-raised to avoid scratches and scars in their skins, solid fleece/lamb's-wool floor mats,etc...)...as a Bentley or Rolls. I was not implying that. What I was saying, however, and IMO is correct (you, of course, might disagree), is that its bling level is one of the highest that you will find among anything that is not priced in that six-figure class. True, the "bling" is done with cheaper materials than a Rolls......but IMO is a feast for the eyes, either way. And notice, on the outside, that the Continental uses real polished chrome-metal door-handles, not just painted or chromed plastic.....when's the last time you saw that on a mass-production American car?

 

Yes, what they had at the D.C. show appeared to be the Navigator concept...the same one as on Lincoln's web-site. I don't think we're going to see the gull-wing doors on the production version, but there's no reason to believe that we won't see that front end......as pointed out earlier, that is going to be pretty much the new face of Lincoln.

http://www.lincoln.com/navigator-concept/

 

I don't really agree. First the "bling" depends on the trim. Lower end Continentals are actually kind of plain inside, its not until you get up to the upper trims and black label cars that they have a lot of chrome and "panache". Lots of cars have that look today, Volvos are a great example. Lots of leather, swaths of real wood, metal drilled speaker vents, lots of ambient lighting. There are many interiors below $100k that have as much "bling" as a Continental.

And, IMHO "bling" isn't really a good thing. IMHO the interior of a really loaded Continental borders on garish. Everything doesn't have to be gloss chromed plastic, I'd much rather see real matte metal than shiny glossed chrome plastic like you see everywhere in the Continental. IMHO the Continental is very American, and not in a 100% good way. Very superficially grand, but below the surface very ordinary.

Its very nice for a Lincoln. Without the caveat on the back end, I wouldn't make the compliment on the front end.

 

At the end of the day this Continental will not be putting Lincoln back on top or even make much impact with potential luxury buyers.

Personally I would get the G80 or G90 which are better cars, or if had to stay American the CT6 would be my choice.

The other negative is that all the limo companies have made it the new Towncar.

 

I disagree, I think the Continental will do well for what Lincoln is going after. They have specifically stated that this new Continental was not designed to take on the Germans. It sure as hell was not designed to take on Genesis. This car slots in the top priced ES350 type segment and gets close to the GS type of price point. It was designed for that quiet luxury consumer who does not want crazy excess flashiness. I don't get why their seems to be an obsession on this forum that this car was designed wrong and is going to fail or the Lexus someone has so much better. It was never intended to compared to a GS/LS or a E class etc etc. It was intended to compare to a Cadillac XTS, or a Lexus ES350...this is large FWD, premium, domestic car.

 

I agree 100%.

As for the car competing with the ES, only on the very low end. This car is solidly in the 60s nicely equipped, way out of ES league and even more than the GS. It only competes with the ES in a stripper version.