Debunking the Continental Design

"JR1" (type35bugatti) 03/31/2015 at 15:42 • Filed to: Lincoln Continental

15

39

It's tail lights are not from an Audi concept. They first appeared in 2008 on the MKR concept.

The grill was not meant to copy other designs. Look closely it is a brilliant example of integrating the Lincoln star into a mesh grill.

The headlights are another brilliant example of the designers integrating the star emblem into the design. They are not copied from an Acura.

So maybe the wheels look a tad like the Accords. Wheel designs look the same across the automotive world. Get over it.

If you want to criticize the rear end looking too Bentley look at this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! of a comment made by Abe Froman. Almost every notable luxury brand has a similar styling on one of their models. This includes Rolls Royce were Bentley likely got their design.

If you are worried about the grill indent on the Bentley and the Continental "copying it" please see Jaguar, K900, early 00's Astons, Quattroporte, etc. It is called a common styling feature .

Side profile looks familiar? Again common styling feature for the roof line. In fact a similar roof line can be found on the 61 Continental. Think the belt line is copied from the Bentley Flying Spur? Yeah that was on the Lincoln Mark III almost 50 years ago:

My point is the Lincoln, like almost every car in the industry shares styling features with other cars. In the modern day and age when there are regulations on passenger protection and everyone is concerned about aerodynamics for efficiency that is bound to happen.

The Bentley boys were being a dicks and likely annoyed that the Continental is a better design than the hideous Fly Spur.

Hope this alleviated some of your concern about the design. Well done Lincoln. The Continental design team should be proud.

djmt1 > JR1 03/31/2015 at 15:48

0

Honestly I couldn't care less about whatever Lincoln claim they will putting out but what I did find interesting was that the Flying Spur is still a thing, I thought the Mulsanne took the torch but nah it is still around for some reason.

Alex B > JR1 03/31/2015 at 15:48

4

Thank you! I think it's a beautiful car, good job Lincoln.

Also, how the Continental probably feels:

JR1 > djmt1 03/31/2015 at 15:49

2

I think the Flying Spur is the equivalent of the Ghost. It is for the buyer who can't afford the signature dish.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > JR1 03/31/2015 at 15:49

3

Nice work, well done, and very well said.

also side profiles of the A8, and upper level alphanumeric soup Mercedes Benz and BMW's have the same side profiles.

It's what people expect from a 4 door high end luxury cruiser.

That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms > JR1 03/31/2015 at 15:53

1

You're Abe Froman? The Sausage King of Chicago?

desertdog5051 > JR1 03/31/2015 at 15:57

0

I really like how LED lighting has transformed the basic light into a styling element.

Forgetful > JR1 03/31/2015 at 16:01

0

Bucktooth!

JR1 > desertdog5051 03/31/2015 at 16:04

1

I love that, it might be one of my favorite styling features of the 10's. Also I love how companies are experimenting with clear lights on the back. Bad angle but you can see the rear light treatment.

JR1 > Forgetful 03/31/2015 at 16:06

0

It would look good flipped the other way like a Maserati Quattroporte

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > JR1 03/31/2015 at 16:14

0

You can make the argument that its copying or inspiration derivations either way. My point is the fact that you can point to so many other cars with similar design elements, in and of itself means that it is not a bold break through design. It is an also-ran that fits in anonymously with all the other luxury vehicles on the market. Lincoln, and Cadillac as well, will not be able to break the brand snobbery mold until they build a vehicle that is cutting edge and setting the styling cues for other vehicles.

Cadillac has created some breathtaking concepts that it never executed on. Lincoln has also had some concepts that were a breath of fresh air, the problem is they never executed on them.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > That Bastard Kurtis - An Attempt to Standardize My Username Across Platforms 03/31/2015 at 16:20

1

Beat me to it!

Hooker > JR1 03/31/2015 at 16:21

1

If this hasn't been shared to the front page (and every other publication) can it please be shared? Thanks. Well said.

Sn210 > JR1 03/31/2015 at 16:22

0

the "more spokes, the better" alloy wheels are all the rage right now. It's a design trend

JerseyJoey > JR1 03/31/2015 at 16:33

0

Nice car. Agree with everything except the headlights, they are stolen from Acura.

Your boy, BJR > JR1 03/31/2015 at 16:40

0

No, it's a super derivative "safe" design because Lincoln doesn't have the balls to put their waterfall grille on it and make it their own. Sure the Lincoln fans notice the hidden mickeys, but to a random pedestrian on the street it just looks like "luxury sedan #2"

SlickMcRick > JR1 03/31/2015 at 16:52

1

They also had that beltline on the sedan model.

I love this new Conti and hope they keep the blue interior as an option.

JR1 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 03/31/2015 at 17:22

1

I tired to respond to you know three times (Stupid kinja)

Yes I agree a radical design would almost be bad for the Continental. Lincoln blended signature design with conservative styling very well. I struggle to even call it conservative the chrome is very flashy (in the best kind of way.)

JR1 > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 03/31/2015 at 17:26

0

When was the last time any executive car was a bold break through with styling?

I don't think that Lincoln or Cadillac for that matter have been doing a bad job with their design languages. Mercedes, BMW, and Audi did not crush the luxury car marques in America with break through design. In fact I would argue in some instances the American design was better. What brought the Germans to the top was a combination of performance, prestige, and marketing. All of which the American marques are doing it will just take time to reach the same level they once enjoyed.

Besides I would call any car with chrome wrapping around the design quite flashy and attractive the new Continental offers that.

JR1 > Hooker 03/31/2015 at 17:27

2

Thank you for the suggestion. We shall see if the Jalop overlords take your request into consideration.

JR1 > Sn210 03/31/2015 at 17:27

1

Exactly the point I was trying to make. Thank you!

JR1 > JerseyJoey 03/31/2015 at 17:29

1

You don't have to agree with everything but I am glad I made my point on some things.

JR1 > Your boy, BJR 03/31/2015 at 17:33

1

They kind of have moved away from the waterfall grill anyway to the butterfly grill so I won't condemn Lincoln for that but the waterfall would look wonderful on this and harken back to the first Continental.

However harkening back isn't the point. The new Lincoln Continental is about presenting a new design language which they clearly did with this car.

If you want safe see the new CT6 which looks barely any different than any other Cadillac on the market. Big missed opportunity. The brand deserved the Ciel or Elmiraj

JR1 > SlickMcRick 03/31/2015 at 17:34

1

I can't believe I forgot about the 61/69 Continental beltline. Good call.

I hope they keep everything about that interior it is perfect.

Your boy, BJR > JR1 03/31/2015 at 17:37

0

I don't understand why you think looking like every other car on the market is just fine, but having and sticking to a clear design language is unimaginative.

SlickMcRick > JR1 03/31/2015 at 17:38

1

As long as it's either RWD or AWD I'm all for it. Ford MoCo has been knocking cars and reveals out the ball park this year. Ford GT, GT 350, Raptor, Focus RS and now the Continental. They've outdone themselves.

Your boy, BJR > JR1 03/31/2015 at 17:47

0

besides, Cadillac has always made their cars look like other Cadillacs. That's not different trims of one car, that's their entire 1959 lineup

JR1 > Your boy, BJR 03/31/2015 at 18:54

0

I did not know the Fleetwood had the 60 style fin that is interesting.

I just think everyone who has seen the potential Cadillac can have is a little disappointed they failed to deliver with the CT6. Brand identity is fine. But they are going on 4 or 5 years of a similar looking design it is time to evolve a little more.

JR1 > Your boy, BJR 03/31/2015 at 18:55

0

And for the record I do not think Lincoln looks like every other car in the market. Have you seen the chrome? So much wonderful chrome.

Manic Otti > JR1 03/31/2015 at 18:56

0

I really like the side profile. You're right in that while it looks similar to alot of other cars, on the whole, it is rather unique. I don't love the headlights. While up close they are different, they still scream "Acura". I would have liked to see something like the MKZ headlight, maybe in a dual setup. But then bentley really would have complained.

Manic Otti > Your boy, BJR 03/31/2015 at 19:00

0

Yeah, but look at this 1970 Ford lineup. Not every damn thing in your lineup has to look the same. I blame Dodge. They started this when they slapped the Viper grille all over everything.

Manic Otti > JR1 03/31/2015 at 19:01

0

I hope they keep it unique, but I know they're gonna just slap that grille on everything now.

Manic Otti > Forgetful 03/31/2015 at 19:07

0

Yeah, I'm not sure what that's for. Maybe a smaller narrow indentation above and below the Lincoln emblem might have looked better and less Kia-ish.

Hooker > JR1 03/31/2015 at 19:12

0

I feel like they are reasonable folks. However, I think this article is important.

1) to stop people from immediately reverting to the "it looks like a(n) "insert model here"

2) to make people understand that design is hard and it's not always as cut and dry as we see it. It's art and the Lincoln folks did an amazing job tying the past to the present while still making a beautiful, functional piece that sparks both conversation and debate.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > JR1 03/31/2015 at 22:17

0

I agree with you that the American brands can build credibility with the formula they are employing, it will just take decades and untold sums on money which I'm not sure they will be able to sustain when times get tough. I believe bold designs could shorten this time frame.

Good question about bold break through styling. The first thing that came to mind were the Bangle BMWs.

JR1 > Manic Otti 03/31/2015 at 22:21

0

It is a trend. I hope it goes away.

JR1 > Hooker 03/31/2015 at 22:24

0

Thank you for your opinion. By now though it looks like it won't be shared.

That was the goal to make people understand there is more to the design than meets the eye and to make the people think. Furthermore I think, at least for the people who read the article, it may prevent them from in the future saying X looks like Y.

JR1 > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 03/31/2015 at 22:26

0

I hope the designers and the companies have the ability to weather the long storm.

I am not familiar with the Bangle BMW's.

JerseyJoey > JR1 04/03/2015 at 10:33

0

You did a nice write up.

JR1 > JerseyJoey 04/03/2015 at 10:42

0

Thank you I am glad you enjoyed it!