The Lincoln Continental is FWD So What?

"JR1" (type35bugatti) 10/09/2015 at 20:27 • Filed to: Lincoln Continental

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You may have recently learned the new Lincoln Continental will be based off of a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Which at first glance sounds incredibly disappointing. But I am here to tell you why it isn’t and why Lincoln will do just fine.

Take a look at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . See anything familiar? Yes friends that is a German luxury sedan that is FWD. Yes I know you are surprised, maybe even shocked. How in the world can Audi survive when the prestigious Audi A6 is offered as a front wheel drive model? Hell, how can any Audi survive when almost all their models are based off front wheel drive platforms? Two reasons. One Audi builds a wonderful product regardless of drivetrain. And two they have excellent marketing. Iron Man drives an Audi, that cool guy in a commercial drives an Audi, and your boss drives an Audi. Yet Audi makes cars with front wheel drive platforms.

The idea that the Lincoln Continental has to be rear wheel drive is nothing more than pure marketing elitism. Front wheel drive luxury cars have been around since at least the Cord L-29 in 1929. And they will continue to be around for decades to come.

Lincoln will survive because Lincoln will build a superior product. If the interior is half as wonderful as the Continental concept with it’s !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Lincoln will be setting a standard that few luxury cars will be able to compete with.

Besides the interior though Lincoln has created a car that tugs at the heart strings of automotive buyers. The name Continental is synonymous with wealth, luxury, and prestige. Even if it FWD or AWD. A luxury car isn’t always about drifting around the corners. In fact I doubt even more than ten percent of any luxury car buyer ever turns off the traction control.

Imagine for only a moment that Ford is crazy enough to put the new Ford GT Ecoboost engine in the Lincoln Continental. Even detuned that would make the Continental an American powerhouse that few cars would ever be able to match. I promise you there is nothing to worry about with the new Continental. Like Audi, Lincoln will make front wheel drive work. The Continental will not disappoint.

Photo Credits ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! )

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JR1 10/09/2015 at 20:33

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Lincoln will survive because Lincoln will build a superior product.

Lincoln * would * survive *if* Lincoln *would start building* a superior product.

(For the record, I don’t hate Lincoln. I think their cars are lovely, just not very competitive. And I hate to see so much water potential).

911e46z06 > JR1 10/09/2015 at 20:34

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So what? So it won’t be as fun to drive. Sure, most people won’t care, but I can say fairly confidently that 95% of well-heeled car enthusiasts will tell you that they would rather drive RWD than FWD any day. AWD is acceptable to us because you get added capability.

Your boy, BJR > JR1 10/09/2015 at 20:35

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Besides, the conti as been fwd and Taurus based for over 30 years!

dogisbadob > JR1 10/09/2015 at 20:35

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Yeah, I like how it’s OK for Audi/VW to use FWD/AWD on a luxury car but nobody else is allowed to (the Continental, XTS, RL/RLX, etc)

TheHondaBro > JR1 10/09/2015 at 20:36

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You can no longer hate the Acura RLX.

I’m watching you.

FromCanadaWithLove > JR1 10/09/2015 at 20:36

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Also F/AWD

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Your boy, BJR 10/09/2015 at 20:39

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*almost* 30 years. Still total bullshit, obviously.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > dogisbadob 10/09/2015 at 20:42

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It’s like Porsche with rear-engines. If you just do it because, then it’s annoying. But if you make a point of being really, really good at it, like the 911 or the Quattro system, it becomes a “calling card” rather than just sort of something that exists. Real or imagined, that’s part of it.

DoYouEvenShift > JR1 10/09/2015 at 20:43

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Im sure itll be a fine car. Afterall, its been FWD for several generations now. I just think they had a great opportunity to knock one out of the park, and they fouled it.

Noah - Now with more boost. > JR1 10/09/2015 at 20:44

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Agreed, FWD makes sense for most buyers. I wonder if there will be one engine option (ecoboost v6) with a slightly higher output for a “sport” trim level with AWD

Delta Five Nine > JR1 10/09/2015 at 20:46

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The real issue to me isn’t just that it’s FWD, it’s that they’re still stuck on trying to cram as much into the same chassis they already make (albeit with modifications [aka they added some length]) instead of making a design and making a chassis to fit it.

AMC/Renauledge > JR1 10/09/2015 at 20:46

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And the reason Audi gets away with it on their bigger cars is because their engines are longitudinal. This makes it much easier to have a pleasing dash-to-axle ratio that the L-29 Cord and ‘67 Eldorado both had. So the A8 winds up with the proportions of a rear-drive luxury car.

A transverse FWD package today almost always means a mile of front overhang and front wheels tucked close to the A-pillar. It results in economy car-type proportions. Especially now that hood lines have to be so high for pedestrian protection.

One guess as to which set of proportions the production Conti will have.

Also, the last time “Lincoln Continental” had any real widespread prestige, Jimmy Carter was in office and Robert Mugabe wasn’t.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > TheHondaBro 10/09/2015 at 20:46

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Acura is Japan’s Lincoln, only instead of the awesome Navigator they have the very good but very dull MDX.

TheHondaBro > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 10/09/2015 at 20:48

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THANK YOU.

Honda has been steadily perfecting the FWD drivetrain for years, like Porsche has with the RR layout. Now we get cars like the Integra Type-R and especially the new Civic Type-R that lapped the Ring faster than a Ferrari 430 and people still call FWD shit.

JR1 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 10/09/2015 at 20:49

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If that interior goes into the production car (not being biased here) I can’t think of anything else that I would want to sit in. That chrome is just beautiful.

JR1 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 10/09/2015 at 20:49

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Audi just has done an exceptional job of marketing the hell out of Quattro

JR1 > Your boy, BJR 10/09/2015 at 20:50

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Finally time for them to break the model and make the car unique

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > TheHondaBro 10/09/2015 at 20:50

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Yup. Anyone who’s driven a CRX, Integra, or Civic R will tell you: FWD that’s been honed to perfection is not bad. FWD just because you’re being cheap and lazy is.

JR1 > 911e46z06 10/09/2015 at 20:51

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I agree with you. But I also believe that any enthusiast would buy a AWD Continental with an engine out of a Ford GT.

JR1 > TheHondaBro 10/09/2015 at 20:51

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Yeah but Lincoln’s lights have the little Lincoln logo in them. Therefore cooler.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JR1 10/09/2015 at 20:51

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I am praying to God it will, and thinking it probably won’t. Fingers crossed though, because yeah, I’d ride in that even if it were 1 wheel drive. As long as it looked EXACTLY like that.

JR1 > DoYouEvenShift 10/09/2015 at 20:52

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They haven’t fouled it yet. Just look at Audi

JR1 > Noah - Now with more boost. 10/09/2015 at 20:53

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I think it would outstanding if they offered the GT engine in the Continental. It makes a lot of sense

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JR1 10/09/2015 at 20:53

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Right. They spend billions of dollars developing it, and then billions more marketing it. It’s not just AWD because there needs to be options, it’s AWD because that’s what people have actively come to want and expect from Audi.

JR1 > Delta Five Nine 10/09/2015 at 20:54

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Other car companies do the same thing. See Audi, Cadillac, etc.

911e46z06 > JR1 10/09/2015 at 20:56

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Maybe. Don’t hold your breath waiting for that engine option though.

When I was shopping Sedans last year, I nixed the Taurus SHO after one drive because it simply wasn’t as good to drive as the RWD stuff. The power was there, but it didn’t handle it the way people like us like it to. It doesn’t snow here, so there was no need to sacrifice.

JR1 > AMC/Renauledge 10/09/2015 at 20:57

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Transverse engines are the real culprit. Something tells me by looking at the profile the Continental will be longitudinal.

JR1 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 10/09/2015 at 20:58

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Look at the rear seats. The back of the seats are too magnetically attached briefcases with the Lincoln logo on them. I think that is awesome.

 > JR1 10/09/2015 at 20:59

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Hey guise, remember me? I was FWD too and had 4 wheel air suspension and an awesome 3.8 liter V6. I was the best Continenta...ooohhh wait.

JR1 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 10/09/2015 at 20:59

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The AWD is marketed as part of Audi’s racing heritage and who wouldn’t want a piece of that?

JR1 > 911e46z06 10/09/2015 at 21:00

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Well then I want to live where you live. And the Taurus is quite a different animal than this Lincoln will be.

Noah - Now with more boost. > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:01

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IDK, that would be cool but I don’t think it would happen. Reliability/Marketing issues. I bet it will have under 400 horsepower, maybe even a naturally aspirated mustang v6 lol. But hey if it’s an ecoboost V6 you could tune it up to ford GT levels of powahhhh

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:02

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True. Also...

your boss drives an Audi

No he doesn’t. I am the boss.

Now excuse me, I have to go beg my mommy for gas money.

DoYouEvenShift > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:02

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If thats what theyre going for. Then by all means. I look forward to the comparisons.

JR1 >  10/09/2015 at 21:02

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Uninspiring looks, not the flagship model, from an era that is loathed, anemic engine. Almost a polar opposite of the new car. What is your point?

 > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:03

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I know, this one, right? DOHC V8, FWD, 4 wheel self levelling air suspension. Bestest Continenta..ooohhh wait.

JR1 > Noah - Now with more boost. 10/09/2015 at 21:03

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I would be surprised if Lincoln offered a Mustang V6. I would not be surprised if they put the Ford GT ecoboost in there. I am sure it will be quite reliable.

JR1 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 10/09/2015 at 21:04

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Gotta stretch the legs in the ol’ A8!

JR1 > DoYouEvenShift 10/09/2015 at 21:04

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You and me both

911e46z06 > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:05

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It’s nice here. I was just using the SHO as an example to illustrate that all else equal, your average enthusiast will go RWD over FWD or (weather permitting) AWD the vast majority of the time. And the enthusiast reaction is more important than people tend to recognize.

JR1 >  10/09/2015 at 21:05

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Same thing could be said about this one as is said about the one above. You are comparing apples to oranges here.

JR1 > 911e46z06 10/09/2015 at 21:07

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I am not sure an enthusiast reaction matters much at all. See all crossovers, all midsize sedans, and V6 pony cars.

 > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:09

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Funny how Lincoln Mark 8 which was rear wheel drive and built along side Continental with a same engine is considered an awesome car yet the Continental is a disgrace.

DoYouEvenShift > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:10

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Have they announced a price range?

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:13

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Audi A4, A5, A6, A7, and A8, as well as the Q line of CUVs, are not FWD.

They are longitudinal AWD, just like Subaru. Only A3 and TT are transverse FWD-haldex based products.

AWD may make Lincoln Continental passable, and chances are, the customer base won’t care, and will welcome the decreased interior intrusion, without the transmission between the front seats, but rather in front of the firewall. Cadillac XTS is also similarly FWD or AWD.

Basically, it will be a big Lincoln version of the Taurus, bigger and fancier than MKS.

Rear drive is however more than elitism, and it has to do with weight transfer. Newtonian physics is real, and a mass being accelerated resists it, and weight transfers rearward, loading the rear tires, and un-loading the front tires.

Decelerating that mass conversely loads the front tires, and un-loads the rear tires. Yet bigger FRONT brakes than rear brakes, and distinct front brake force bias is NOT merely elitism, it is complimentary to the forces at work.

Over-working the front tires with accelerative torque when the weight transfer unloads them, steering at any time, and braking over-stresses tires that must be limited width to accommodate steering geometry, especially around a wide transverse-layout front drivetrain.

AWD helps, but most transverse rear-drive-assist systems are heavily front-biased, unlike rear or mid-engined layouts, or rear-biased longitudinal AWD systems.

911e46z06 > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:18

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True enough, but all the reviews, all the rankings, all the awards, and all the accolades are handed out by enthusiasts. If you’re shopping for $80k sedans, you’re going to read some expert opinion first. This is doubly true for Lincoln. They’ll have to rely on winning the MT and R&T comparo pieces since they don’t have much in the way of brand loyalty to fall back on.

JR1 >  10/09/2015 at 21:22

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One had a far more modern layout with bucket seats and the other harkened back to an era that had long since been forgotten.

JR1 > DoYouEvenShift 10/09/2015 at 21:23

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Not that I am aware of.

 > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:24

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Continental also had buckets.

If anything Continental had a more modern dash with digital gauges and newer steering wheel that had radio and climate controls.

JR1 > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 10/09/2015 at 21:29

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No the Audi A4 and up offer front wheel drive models. Yes the engines are longitudinal but the car platform starts as fwd.

I would suspect the Lincoln Continental will be the same as Audi. Just look at the proportions. So it won’t be based of a Taurus because the Taurus has a transverse engine.

As the for the RWD elitism I was referring to the media constantly criticizing companies like Acura for offering FWD luxury cars when Audi is guilty of a similar problem.

JR1 > 911e46z06 10/09/2015 at 21:31

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Do enthusiast look at enthusiast magazines or does the public? I imagine the public is more worried about JD Power and Consumer Reports than Motortrend.

JR1 >  10/09/2015 at 21:34

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Still doesn’t excuse the fact that it was ponderous, had fake wood, and various other issues. These two cars are distinctly different in their design and philosophy. I personally like the last generation Continental but it did;t have a similar attention to detail as a Mercedes, Audi, etc and that is why it ultimately failed and will not be remembered. Not because it was FWD

911e46z06 > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:37

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People buying cars do. But the guys at JD and CR, if they’re not out-and-out enthusiasts, they at least drive lots of cars. I’m sure they can appreciate the drawbacks of FWD.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:45

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Subaru deleted the rear drivetrain on their bargain cars in the 1990s, too, but that is a DE-content action, and the cars are designed purposefully for longitudinal AWD, as are longitudinal Audis. AWD is removed to cut costs on the bargain model, it is not “added” to almost all of Audi’s models above the base A4.

Audi A3 and TT are adapted from VW transverse (MQB or something like that...) and are feature-added to get AWD.

FWD/AWD almost CERTAINLY means transverse, not longitudinal, and is likely platform shared with Taurus, MKS, Explorer, MKT, Flex, and all of Ford’s big cars and CUVs.

Ford does not have a longitudinal platform anymore, after Panther, and they aren’t going to design one for it to be FWD/AWD.

If it were going to be longitudinal, the option would be RWD/AWD like Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, Infiniti Q-whatever, Mercedes Benz, BMW, and others.

The whole point of FWD/AWD is manufacturing assemblage, assembly uniformity, platform sharing, and interior volume packaging without the transmission under the cabin floor. Even a transverse Haldex system only has a driveshaft and exhaust under the floor, where the transaxle is in the engine bay.

Noah - Now with more boost. > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:46

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I guess we’ll find out! The mustang v6 was a stretch but I’d bet real $$$ that they wouldn’t use the exact same engine as the GT. Too much power for the front wheels. And that motor is undeniably less likely to make it to 100k miles in one piece than a 380 horsepower version of the truck ecoboost. Luxury cars are not supercars; they get driven. The engineers wouldn’t put something that highly strung in a luxury sedan. The power/weight ratio will likely mirror the competition, no more, no less

JR1 > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 10/09/2015 at 21:49

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Lincoln was given 2.5 Billon dollars if they wanted to they had the money to adapt the car to longitudinal. Did they? Only time will tell. I get your point though it would make more sense to follow other platforms.

JR1 > Noah - Now with more boost. 10/09/2015 at 21:51

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It would likely be a detuned version of the GT engine if they use it at all. I could see the truck engine placed in there as well. And if Audi cars can handle over 500 horsepower with their RS6 etc. I am sure Lincoln could make a car that handles at least 500hp

M54B30 > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:53

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This is just the first disappointment.

Just wait there’ll be more. Can’t wait to see Ford Focus switchgear and repainted Taurus wheels.

Well, it may not be that bad but realistically Lincoln needs to build a car that will rank #1 in every comparison and everyone knows there’s no way that’ll happen

Noah - Now with more boost. > JR1 10/09/2015 at 21:54

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Hopefully the AWD version will be 400+ horsepower! That would make it a true halo car. Regardless I will flip out if I ever see one, and probably ask to sit in it. Shamelessly.

JR1 > Noah - Now with more boost. 10/09/2015 at 21:55

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I am really hoping for a GT derived engine under the hood!

samssun > JR1 10/09/2015 at 22:05

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FWD Audis are nice VWs. The cars most of us would think of as “real” Audis are RWD based, as their engines are facing the right way.

JR1 > samssun 10/09/2015 at 22:09

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The Audi A4, A6 are FWD. I would say there are real Audis

samssun > JR1 10/09/2015 at 22:27

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Nope they’re sad bastard children. Engines are lined up and ready for fun, but they forgot the driveshaft so you’re left with a fancy Jetta/Passat cousin.

A better argument for FWD-based luxury platforms would be the RS3, which I admit is awesome, but even that is despite its FWD-origin rather than because of it. Drop down to the S3 and you're driving a Golf R.

AMC/Renauledge > JR1 10/09/2015 at 23:05

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Here’s my question... in order to do a longitudinal layout, they’ll need a new platform (like VW AG needs MQB and MLB). But why build an all-new platform for a luxury car that's FWD-biased?

Delta Five Nine > JR1 10/09/2015 at 23:30

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Other car companies don’t make the cars still look damn near the same as the cars they’re based on, though. Lincolns always seem like they are designed trying to deviate from Ford as little as possible while adding luxury, which isn’t the greatest strategy. The new Conti is the only example of them trying to make something significantly different, and it isn’t different enough for a true flagship imo.

This does at least provide something recognizable as a Lincoln, which they haven’t had since the Town Car. It’s something, if not to the degree I think it should be.

for Michigan > JR1 10/10/2015 at 05:29

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Absolutely agreed. Ballaban’s article is just awful.

He handily ignores all of the other FWD luxury cars of the past and present just so he can say that a FWD Conti isn’t a real luxury car.

He also falls back on the tired “Lincolns are just rebadged Fords” cliche, which only applies to the Navigator anymore. Every other Lincoln is as much a Ford as an Audi is a VW.

I will give him the point that there should be a hybrid Conti, though.

JR1 > AMC/Renauledge 10/10/2015 at 08:07

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I'm not sure. But I can't believe the engine will be transverse maybe I'm wrong but that would be just such a disappointment

JR1 > Delta Five Nine 10/10/2015 at 08:09

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The current generation crossovers and MKZ are far and enough removed from Ford styling that I think they at least have a distinctive look. If you asked me 10 years ago though I'd agree they look pretty similar to other cars in Fords lineup.

JR1 > for Michigan 10/10/2015 at 08:11

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I am surprised the Continental won't offer a hybrid power train. But thanks for agreeing Ballaban simply wrote the article as a lazy attempt at gaining some views for the FP.

and she stepped on the ball > JR1 10/10/2015 at 13:07

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It’s a pet peeve of mine when people say that an Audi is “based off of a FWD platform.” What does that even mean? The platform was designed to be FWD or AWD. Audi only sells FWD for their very entry level models and diesels but the vast majority are sold with Quattro. So, if anything, their FWD cars are based off of an AWD platform. As Lincoln rebuilds their neglected brand, they need to think whether they have the same reputation as Audi, and if they really should offer FWD at all. I don’t think Lincoln should. While Audi can get away with offering some FWD cars, Audi also sells some of the best cars in the world. Lincoln’t shouldn’t because, after four decades of building crap, they have to show the world that they finally mean business. A large FWD flagship just looks like they don’t “get” it.

JR1 > and she stepped on the ball 10/10/2015 at 19:29

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Audi did not have that reputation 15 or 20 years ago. Yet they still offer their cars is front-wheel-drive models. Who is to say Lincoln can’t do the same thing. They might not build their platforms off racing heritage like Audi did. But they are beginning to once again offer distinctive while performing products with luck luxury interiors. If Audi can do it so can Lincoln.

Axial > JR1 10/12/2015 at 00:27

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“Prestigious” and “A6” should not be in the same sentence without a negative modifier preceding the former. It’s a completely underwhelming and anonymous car barely above the bottom-feeding A3 and A4.

Just like a 5-series from BMW.

Chariotoflove > JR1 10/12/2015 at 15:25

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This a fabulous post. Thank you.

JR1 > Chariotoflove 10/12/2015 at 15:30

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Thank you for reading it good sir!

and she stepped on the ball > JR1 10/16/2015 at 09:22

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Audi gained their reputation from rallying in the 80s and was the only luxury brand to offer AWD on every car they sell. They were a niche brand until the mid 90s when the 1st gen A4 was launched. Since then they’ve been the only real competitor to MB and BMW, and completely wipe the floor with them by offering cars like the RS7 and R8. Audi’s has developed their brand properly, and offering FWD is an appropriate way to gain lower-end market share. If Lincoln can do this, then more power to them. But they really need to think about this carefully.