2022 marks the centenary of the Lincoln model changing into a part of the Ford household and securing its future beginning with the Mannequin L. Because the honored marque on the Pebble Seaside Concours d’Magnificence this yr, Lincoln is celebrating by exhibiting off a brand new idea that appears to the place the model is likely to be going sooner or later, the L100.
In a break from latest years when ideas have develop into much less frequent at Ford and Lincoln, that is really the second idea up to now a number of months from the model. Again in April we noticed the Star idea which is a preview of the brand new design language that will probably be showing on the household of battery electrical Lincoln autos starting in 2024. The looks of the Star is probably going very near what we’ll see on an electrical Aviator-type SUV at the moment though it’s unknown if it’ll carry the Aviator badge.
One of many extra distinctive options of the Star is the lightbar that sweeps throughout the downward curving entrance finish of the car and curves up and over the tops of the fenders. Mixed with different backlit components of the fascia that may be electronically animated to greet the motive force as they method, Lincoln designers have crafted a brand new face for the model for an period the place the present grille design turns into superfluous.
Whereas the present Lincoln lineup consists totally of SUVs and crossovers, the L100 goes off in a completely completely different course however picks up on the themes from the Star. The L100 will be considered a reinterpretation of the luxurious touring coupe type of the Continental Mark II and different basic Lincolns, however on the similar time, it’s nothing like them. That is tourer for the age when people might now not must drive.
It’s a lengthy, flowing coupe with ample quantities of glass together with the “hood.” The unique L100 featured a greyhound hood decoration specified by Edsel Ford, however conventional hood ornaments are actually a rarity for each security and aerodynamic causes. The clear hood curves down deeply between the big entrance fenders and supplies visibility to a crystal model of the greyhound mounted beneath, out of the airstream.
As seen in latest manufacturing Lincolns just like the Aviator and Corsair, there’s a downward sweep to the roofline on the rear, a part of an general tapering seen in each plan and profile views. It’s each aerodynamic and stylish. The surfaces circulation constantly from entrance to again in a really natural method that just about feels prefer it might need been formed by water flowing over it for tons of or hundreds of years.
The practically seamless flanks of the L100 embody wheel covers that stay stationary however incorporate lighted spokes that may be animated in quite a lot of methods to evoke movement, battery charging or in any other case talk to these exterior the car.
The 2 huge doorways swing out from hinges on the very rear of the automotive and stretch all the way in which ahead to only behind the entrance wheels. Since they’re so giant, all the things is motorized as is the roof panel that tilts up from the rear for simpler ingress and egress. The best way all the things opens up because the occupants method is sort of a buddy coming in for a hug, becoming in with the Lincoln Embrace theme.
The again seat is definitely the first seat on this idea which is supposed to drive the passengers moderately than being pushed. The entrance bench seat backs will be in a traditional place for entrance occupants, folded again, turning the seat into an ottoman or folded ahead, reworking it right into a rear going through bench.
There are not any typical driving controls, however the heart console which stretches again to inside attain of the rear occupants is dubbed the chessboard. A jewel formed controller often called the chess piece can be utilized to regulate the car as wanted.
The whole digital ground of the L100 options animated imagery to create completely different themes based mostly on the occupant’s preferences corresponding to flying over clouds. On the 2021 Los Angeles Auto Present the Subaru stand featured one thing related with a ground that gave the impression to be continuously in movement and it was fairly disorienting when standing nonetheless on it. Nevertheless, inside design chief Ryan Niemiec stated they’ve really considered that.
“A few of these video issues at Disney, like the place it is simply the video, it messes with my head fully so I perceive,” stated Niemiec. “So we mentally stated that needs to be a slower shifting situation. We are able to have that embrace and that type of drama, however when you’re inside it is about creating an environment and never throwing in dysfunction and we do not need to put you that frame of mind.”
It’s unlikely that we’ll see something fairly just like the L100 on the highway this decade, however the idea does give a have a look at the place the Lincoln design staff is considering heading within the model’s second century.