The Comeback Lincoln Needs: A True 2028 Continental Sedan
Let’s just imagine what a new Lincoln Continental could look like. A retro-looking giant 4-door sedan for the 21st Century. And why not, a 2 door coupe as well…
Not a new version of the 2017 model, which, no matter how good it was, just didn’t have the presence of a true Continental. With sales numbers all the way down to 1,460, it didn’t fool anyone either. It was probably a fine luxury sedan, but never quite managed to feel like a flagship. It lacked that sense of occasion you expect when you walk up to a car wearing the Continental name.
A true Lincoln Continental should be a big car. Just like the new Dodge Charger Daytona, it should be at least as large as a Mercedes-Benz S-Class. For less. Ford currently doesn’t have a car platform they could use for such a vehicle, but its CEO Jim Farley actually mentioned the possibility of using the new Universal EV Platform they are working on for a new Lincoln model. That could mean a large EV sedan with impressive range and a very quiet ride, two things that would suit a Continental perfectly.
“I don’t think we want to make an affordable hybrid as a Lincoln, but an affordable EV Lincoln, with over-the-top color choice and over-the-top interior customization would make sense.” That could open the door to something truly unique in the segment, especially if Lincoln leans into bold materials and unexpected color palettes.
“Affordable” and “over the top customization” don’t sound like two things that go together, but what do I know… At least, it seems Mr. Farley is actually thinking about Lincoln. And that alone is good news, since the brand has been drifting a bit in recent years, mostly relying on SUVs for survival.
In more recent generations, the Continental had become Lincoln’s smaller sedan, sold alongside the more traditional Town Car. Many were V6 FWD and based on the same platform as the Ford Taurus. In my opinion, the great Jack Telnack-designed 8th generation looked very upscale and in line with a proper Lincoln. The next generation tried hard to look more modern and almost like a 4-door Mark VIII. By that time, the Continental was losing steam as the Town Car had become much more popular, especially with limousine fleets and traditional buyers.
A return of a proper American luxury sedan would be something to celebrate. Something that isn’t afraid of chrome and wood. Something that embraces comfort over sportiness, silence over performance numbers, and elegance over trends. It could even stand apart from European rivals by offering a more relaxed, lounge-like experience instead of chasing lap times or aggressive styling cues. It could also look very special in China. Standing out from all these sleek look-alike new sedans.
I say why not.