2002 Lincoln Continental Concept

At the 2002 LA Auto Show Lincoln unveiled this Continental concept. The Continental concept was developed concurrently with the Mk 9 concept first seen at the 2001 New York Auto Show. Research and development of the Lincoln Continental concept began in early 2000, shortly after dedicated Lincoln design, engineering, and manufacturing organizations were established. The Lincoln design team began by exploring Lincoln's heritage. Two important goals of the Lincoln design team were to maximize interior space and optimize ingress and egress. This led to the creation of a unique proportion, in which the Continental's cabin is centered within the wheelbase. The passenger space is exceptionally large, the trunk is cavernous, and a powerful 6.0-liter V-12 engine resides under the hood.

The Continental's bodywork is finished in a color called Silver Sea Spray. Its surfaces are clean and uninterrupted, and a strong horizontal emphasis defines the front of the car. A signature Lincoln grille milled from aluminum incorporates four round headlamps that use an innovative remote light generator technology developed by Ford Motor Company in partnership with Philips Lighting. In this system, light generated by a single source is transferred to each lamp by fiber optic cable. The technology requires less power than conventional halogen bulbs but produces two and a half times more light. Glare is reduced substantially because light dispersion is well controlled and the beam can be aimed precisely.

The Continental's full-width instrument panel is built around reconfigurable displays for engine functions and vehicle systems, including concierge and telematics features, navigation and the THX-certified audio system. The chaplets that ring the speedometer and other gauges displays are fixed to the glass for a jewel-like effect. The headliner and the Eames lounge chair-inspired seats are covered in full-grain aniline leather dyed a creamy hue called Rhode Island Sand. A translucent silk panel shades the overhead fiber optic light strip. The flooring is a close-sheared midnight blue sheepskin. The instrument panel and doors are trimmed in a combination of Rhode Island Sand and Midnight Blue leather. The dark leather helps mask the transition to the window glass. Front and rear-seat roominess is designed to be exceptional. The front seats are adjustable for height and rake, and have fore and aft travel of 10 inches (250 millimeters). The rear seating area could easily serve as the model for a corporate jet. The seats adjust fore and aft across a range of eight inches (200 millimeters) and can be reconfigured into a bed by folding down the center portion of the front seatback. The rear seat cushions also incorporate a tilt function to aid ingress and egress. Built-in laptop tables stow in the console. The case holders built into the front seatbacks fold down to allow an attaché to be opened without removing it from the sleeve.

Source - Lincoln