Wildly futuristic concept cars like the Cadillac Innerspace and Audi Autobot won’t be realized for half a lifetime, if at all. But as Ford chief design officer Anthony Lo said in a statement accompanying the reveal of the similarly ambitious Lincoln L100, “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.”
“With the Model L100, we were able to push the boundaries in ways that evolve our Quiet Flight brand DNA and change the way we think about Lincoln designs of tomorrow.”
Debuted at the posh Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Licnoln L100 was conceived as an autonomous, fully electronic vehicle that subtly celebrates the 1922 Model L—one of the first Lincolns built Ford’s acquisition of the company—with an almost anachronistic greyhound hood ornament hidden behind a transparent hood.
The sloped-and-sliced K-tail is also a feature that’s been around for decades, as are same type of reverse-hinged doors found on classic coach cars, though the L100’s is much lower lower and sleeker that a vintage Bentley.
Many of the L100’s other features are purely forward thinking, including even the mix of metallic paint and frosted acrylic used in lieu of chrome. The interior, with a “digital floor, canopy and ambient lighting” uses AI to match riders’ moods. And being from the future, occupants are surrounded by amethyst and recycled suede.
The passenger configuration is also wild, with front row seats that can be flipped forward to face rear passengers while the car drives itself. There’s also a light-refracting interactive chessboard in the center console featuring a jewel-inspired chess piece controller. This chess board is the only interface in the entire cabin.
“We are at a special moment in our history. Over the last 100 years, Lincoln has pioneered multiple innovations and pushed the boundaries of design that have come to define our brand as we know and love it today,” added Lincoln president Joy Falotico.
“With the Model L100 Concept, we reimagine what the Lincoln sanctuary can look like for our clients of tomorrow and take a big step toward our next chapter.”
