'Quiet Luxury' model reinvigorates premium sector

Lincoln Motor Co's full-size luxury sedan, the Continental, hit the market on Monday, bringing Chinese customers what the automaker describes as "Quiet Luxury", with its personally-crafted interior, exciting, effortless drive and imaginative technology.

"The all-new Lincoln Continental is developed based on numerous customer opinions from China and around the world and brings the ultimate of Quiet Luxury, a level that only Lincoln can match and an experience that only Lincoln can offer," said Amy Marentic, president of Lincoln China.

"It is the model that will mark the century-long evolution of Lincoln and redefine what a luxury vehicle means," she said.

The flagship model is now available with five trim packages: Select priced at 418,880 yuan ($60,707), Reserve priced at 443,800 yuan, Preferred FWD priced at 483,800 yuan, Preferred AWD priced 563,800 yuan and the Presidential Series at 613,800 yuan.

Modern and elegant

The new Continental boasts a modern and elegant design. Its reworked signature one-piece grille and discreetly integrated E-latch handles contribute to the vehicle's dynamic and progressive profile.

The vehicle's doors could be opened gently via a touch button inside the E-latch, and then power-cinching technology automatically closes and secures the door for effortless and elegant entry.

Inside the vehicle, passengers can re-open the doors via push button. The car can sense the driver's approach and beams out its front and rear LED signature lighting in a fluid motion. This welcome mat effect brightens the area around the front doors while the cabin illuminates warmly to welcome the driver.

An electric-powered panoramic sunroof covers nearly the entire roof, creating a large open-air experience and an even greater feeling of spaciousness.

Perfect Position Seats, with 30-way adjustment to tailor to each driver's weight, body shape and preferences. The seats, with over 30 patents, include massage, heating and cooling functions. Support for the legs is provided by two extending thigh cushions, each independently adjustable.

This allows the driver to give support as needed to each leg independently, recognizing the different needs for each leg - one is at rest while the other engages the pedals. The support for the upper back and lumbar can also be customized separately, which will better reduce muscle fatigue and pains. Lincoln's rear amenities package is available exclusively for customers in China, which enables passengers sitting in the back to control their environment.

The rear seats have generous legroom and recline, heat, ventilate and massage, while a rear console operates ventilation and sound systems.

A chauffeur switch can adjust the position of the copilot seat in the first row. The rear windows can be equipped with an available power sunshade.

The Revel audio system, supplemented by enhanced active noise control, is customized to fit the cabin's acoustics and includes up to 19 speakers with three listening modes, traditional stereo, audience and on stage, for concert-quality sound. The Lincoln Continental has three available "Presidential" interior themes: Lincoln-exclusive Rhapsody, thrilling the senses like exhilarating music; Chalet, inspired by an apr��s-ski lodge; and Thoroughbred, celebrating excitement of horse racing. Each theme is designed with woolen carpets, specially processed supple leather, natural wood and other opulent materials.

The Lincoln-exclusive 3.0-liter V6 engine with twin turbochargers produces 378 horsepower and 570 Nm of torque, providing smooth, responsive and quiet power. For handling and stability, the all-wheel-drive system is paired with dynamic torque vectoring that transfers torque on demand to the appropriate rear wheel when driving around corners.

(China Daily 11/29/2016 page12)