(By Tom Lohnes) – The Lincoln Continental, America’s favorite Luxury sedan, is once again dead.
After a drastic 54 percent sales decrease in Q4 of 2019 and Ford’s decision to ditch sedans in general, it was quite obvious the Continental was struggling. With the addition of a coach-built model with the famous suicide doors in 2019 and 2020, the last continental to roll off the line is going to be a $130,000 suicide-doored fully optioned up example with the 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine. This new generation of Continental however, is not as it seems.
In the past, the Continental has always been a RWD, V8 powered boat, and the big Lincoln’s rival, the Cadillac CT6, has stuck to that, offering the Blackwing motor. The Lincoln on the other hand, is FWD based, and only offers 4-or-6-cylinder options. The sole transmission is an automatic, and the interior is very poshly equipped, with 4 massaging seats, rear seat entertainment, and even a fridge on the nicer models.
If you still want a Continental, they start at about $50,000, but can easily crest over $100,000 with the right models and options.
I think they would have sold better if they had been RWD and had a coyote motor in them. I was excited when they first aired the commercials, then I looked up the specs, who cares. I really wish Lincoln would build a car based on the mustang. Call it the Mark IX if you really want to get in the market with Cadillac and BMW build both 2 and 4 door models.
Had a mark VIII and now have a Town Car. I have been looking a Cadillac for my next car. Bring back the hotrod Lincoln!
There will never be a car like Continental. Simply the most glamorous automobile to come from the US. Ashame people don’t appreciate that kind of class anymore.
Have you heard the story of the hot rod race?
When the Fords and Lincolns was settin’ the pace?
In 1963 a Lincoln Continental sold for around 4500 to 6000, or 38000 to 45000 today. This one starts at 50k and goes to 130k. Really? Therein lies the problem. Apparently Lincoln doesn’t want to make the Continental so I guess they priced it out of the market so it would fail.
I’m also old enough to remember the 1963 Continental. The new ones look absolutely nothing like the old ones. Long, wide, and low are the cars I liked. Big American cars of the past, Ford, GM, and Chrysler, … now those were cars. But the old saying goes 3 things you can count on in life ; death, taxes, and change. Fuel mileage requirements, environmental changes, etc., have driven auto makers to make the cars we have today, and globally, ALL of the cars look alike. I find none of them particularly attractive anymore. +