Lincoln Star Concept: Rejuvenation, Anyone?

Tim Healey
by Tim Healey

Lincoln is promising three new fully-electric vehicles by 2025. Ford’s luxury arm took the wraps off of a concept previewing one of them last night.

Lincoln claims a fourth EV will debut by 2026.

The concept hints at the design the brand will employ for its EVs — that’s one news nugget we were able to glean from a buzzword-heavy press release that prompted eye rolls from this editor.

We do know the doors will be backlit and the star in the Lincoln logo will light up when drivers approach the vehicle. We also know that the planned platform will be able to accommodate rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive setups.

Lincoln also promises that its EVs will be able to wirelessly “talk” to other vehicles and infrastructure and that there will be new advanced driver-aid systems, such as what Lincoln calls “Help Me See” and “Park for Me.” Both seem self-explanatory.

The concept’s cabin has wraparound seating, a “lounge posture”, leg rests, device storage, and a glass cooler for beverages.

The A- and D-pillars are transparent with metal latticework that is visible from the inside, and there’s a full skylight with a digital shade. There are infotainment screens for both seating rows, and Lincoln offers three “rejuvenation” modes that are meant to help occupants relax. They’re tied to the time of day, and Lincoln makes vague promises about how software updates could lead to more customization in the future.

There’s a front trunk with glass that can shift from transparent to opaque, one-pedal driving, a floating instrument panel, a hidden compartment for secure storage of expensive electronic devices like laptops that also has wireless charging, and a cargo-area outdoor chair.

The Star is a concept, so it’s hard to say what, if any, features are slated for production any time soon. Our take is that it brings back the old-fashioned, uh, concept of having concept cars — something auto shows have been sorely lacking. It could’ve been the star of the New York Auto Show last week (pun fully intended).

Oh well. No matter when the wraps came off, it looks pretty good, and some of the features sound useful, while others seem silly (rejuvenation modes? Really?). We’ll be keeping an eye on Lincoln to see what actually makes production.

[Images: Lincoln]

Tim Healey
Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

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  • Proud2BUnion I typically recommend that no matter what make or model you purchase used, just assure that is HAS a prior salvage/rebuilt title. Best "Bang for your buck"!
  • Redapple2 jeffbut they dont want to ... their pick up is 4th behind ford/ram, Toyota. GM has the Best engineers in the world. More truck profit than the other 3. Silverado + Sierra+ Tahoe + Yukon sales = 2x ford total @ $15,000 profit per. Tons o $ to invest in the BEST truck. No. They make crap. Garbage. Evil gm Vampire
  • Rishabh Ive actually seen the one unit you mentioned, driving around in gurugram once. And thats why i got curious to know more about how many they sold. Seems like i saw the only one!
  • Amy I owned this exact car from 16 until 19 (1990 to 1993) I miss this car immensely and am on the search to own it again, although it looks like my search may be in vane. It was affectionatly dubbed, " The Dragon Wagon," and hauled many a teenager around the city of Charlotte, NC. For me, it was dependable and trustworthy. I was able to do much of the maintenance myself until I was struck by lightning and a month later the battery exploded. My parents did have the entire electrical system redone and he was back to new. I hope to find one in the near future and make it my every day driver. I'm a dreamer.
  • Jeff Overall I prefer the 59 GM cars to the 58s because of less chrome but I have a new appreciation of the 58 Cadillac Eldorados after reading this series. I use to not like the 58 Eldorados but I now don't mind them. Overall I prefer the 55-57s GMs over most of the 58-60s GMs. For the most part I like the 61 GMs. Chryslers I like the 57 and 58s. Fords I liked the 55 thru 57s but the 58s and 59s not as much with the exception of Mercury which I for the most part like all those. As the 60s progressed the tail fins started to go away and the amount of chrome was reduced. More understated.
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