Lincoln Continental, (Tenth generation (2017–present).

After a fifteen-year absence/hiatus from the Lincoln model line, a new tenth generation Continental went on sale in the fall of 2016.Previewed by a namesake concept car at the 2015 New York Auto Show, the 2017 Lincoln Continental is the successor of the Lincoln MKS. Alongside the Ford Mustang, the Continental is manufactured in Flat Rock, Michigan.

Chassis

The tenth-generation Lincoln Continental is based upon the Ford CD4 platform. Shared with the Ford Fusion (Mondeo) and Lincoln MKZ, the Continental shares an extended-wheelbase CD4 chassis with the seventh-generation Ford Taurus. At 117.9 inches (5.7 inches longer than the Fusion/MKZ), the Continental is the longest-wheelbase Lincoln sedan produced since 1979. While front-wheel drive is standard, this generation marks the first use of all-wheel drive on a Lincoln Continental; depending on trim, all-wheel drive is either optional or standard equipment.

While sharing its fundamental chassis underpinnings with the Lincoln MKZ, the Continental is powered exclusively by V6 engines. As a standard engine, a 305hp 3.7L Ti-VCT V6, shared with the MKZ and MKS. As an option, a 335hp 2.7L twin-turbocharged V6 is available, shared with the Lincoln MKX. At the top of the engine lineup, the Continental is fitted with a 400hp 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6; exclusive to the Continental and MKZ, the 3.0L engine is the highest-horsepower engine ever fitted to a production Lincoln vehicle.

All three engines are paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. When fitted with the 3.0L engine, all-wheel drive (with torque vectoring) is standard equipment.

Body

Deriving much of its exterior from the 2015 Lincoln Continental concept car, the tenth-generation Lincoln Continental introduced a new design theme for the Lincoln division. In a shift away from the previous split grille, the Continental switched to a rectangular design, with a slightly recessed grille. To reduce confusion with Bentley, the Lincoln star emblem was centered within the grille along with wraparound horizontal headlamp units; elements of the design were integrated into the 2017 facelift of the MKZ and 2018 redesign of the Lincoln Navigator.

Carried into production from the concept car, the Lincoln Continental is equipped with electronically-latched doors; named "E-Latch" by Lincoln, the feature pulls the door shut if a door is not completely closed before driving. In place of conventional door handles, the interior door panels use a button near the door pull handle to unlatch the door[73]; on the outside, the exterior is distinguished by the door pulls, which are integrated into the beltline window trim.

In place of a console or column-mounted transmission shifter, control of the transmission was changed to "PRNDS" buttons mounted to the left of the infotainment/navigation touch screen. "S" represents "Sport mode", where the suspension, power steering, and transmission shifting are programmed for more spirited driving. While largely done in an effort to increase center console space, the layout is a similar approach to Chrysler and Packard designs of the 1950s (though the Continental is also fitted with paddle shifters as standard equipment). As an option, the Continental is available with either 13 or 19-speaker audio systems from the "Revel" division of Harman, distinguished by aluminum speaker grilles in the door panels.

As with the Lincoln MKS, the Continental is fitted with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping technology, as an option, the Continental offers a 360-degree camera system to produce a "virtual overhead view" of the vehicle.

Trim

In line with current Lincoln product offerings, the Lincoln Continental is offered in three standard trims, Premiere, Select, and Reserve. In continuing with Lincoln tradition, Bridge of Weir "Deepsoft" leather is used for upper-level trim (Select and Reserve).

Revisiting the tradition of the 1970s Designer Editions, as a flagship trim level, Lincoln is producing the "Black Label" Continental. As with the previous Designer Editions, the Black Label vehicles have specially coordinated exterior and interior appearance packages, including Rhapsody (unique to the Continental), Chalet, and Thoroughbred.