Ford presented its futuristic vision for a luxury brand that had been struggling to keep up.
On Thursday, Ford unveiled its futuristic spin on a luxury car brand. Meet the Lincoln Model L100 concept car, Ford's first concept crafted under the leadership of their new chief design officer Anthony Lo who came on board in 2021. Ford's Lincoln Model L100 concept car is set to compete in the luxury vehicle market that is rapidly being shaped by electrification and smart self-driving capabilities.
"Concept vehicles allow us to reimagine and illustrate how new experiences can come to life with the help of advanced technologies and allow our designers more creative freedom than ever before," Lo explained in a release, as per CNBC. While the Lincoln Model L100 concept car is not meant to be produced or sold to consumers, companies like Ford use such concepts to determine customer interest and give a glimpse of the brand's direction in the near future.
Lincoln's History as a Luxury Car Brand
Lincoln Motor Company was founded in 1917 by Cadillac founder Henry M. Leland. Just five years later in 1922, the company was acquired by Ford. Lincoln dominated the luxury car market in the US in the 1990's, but the decades following it showed a slowdown in sales thanks to overseas competitors and crossovers. Now, the luxury car market is dominated by Tesla's electric vehicles.
To compete with other brands that are inspired by electrification, Ford's Lincoln Model L100 concept car is powered by a solid state battery pack, Fast Company reported. Inside, Lo described a "personal sanctuary" type of cabin that offers a lot of space. It's so spacious that the entire car measures about two-thirds the length of a limousine.
A luxury car like Ford's Lincoln Model L100 won't truly be a luxury car without the dramatic doors that truly make a unique entrance. This car features a full-length hinged glass roof and reverse-hinged doors that "open up like a lily," Engadget reported. Drivers need not worry about tight parking spaces however, as sensors will determine how wide the doors will open.
Ford Shows Off Its Opulent Lincoln Concept Car
Ford's Lincoln Model L100 is a self-driving car and its front seats can rotate to face the rear passengers. It also features a digital floor, which makes the driver and passenger feel as if they are stepping into a nightclub. It's also equipped with seats that look like a lounge and a large screen as a central control.
A grill is visibly absent from its seamless front, which features Lincoln's new signature instead. It also has a flossy black front end with very thin lines that also appeared in Lincoln's Star EV concept.
Most interestingly, the Lincoln Model L100 concept car features a "jewel-inspired chess piece controller" in place of the steering wheel. Unfortunately, Ford has not confirmed when production will begin for this opulent piece of Lincoln history.
The Lincoln Model L100 concept car made its debut during the brand's 100th anniversary celebration at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California.
