Lincoln today took the wraps off the Model L100 Concept, an all-electric, completely autonomous concept car that looks into the future, while honoring the brand’s history. Unveiled as part of the Monterey Car Week, it will take part in the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance later this week, which is celebrating the brand’s 100th birthday. Indeed, the automaker says that the concept was inspired by the 1922 Lincoln Model L, which was, at the time, a highly regarded engineering showpiece for the brand.
Lincoln conceives its future as an elegant
time, and this design has been imagined to convey that. A crystal greyhound
acts as a hood ornament, though it’s contained within the glass hood, as a nod
to its 100-year-old forebear. The coupe body style, meanwhile, cuts through the
air with its “K-tail” and its long, low proportions. The body is nearly
seamless, too, because everything from the A-pillars back opens. With the doors
spreading like a ladybug’s shell, and the roof popping up as well, the Model
L100 Concept it supposed to give a “true sense of ceremony” when you walk up to
it. And that sense of pomp goes beyond the extravagant doors.
Lincoln uses lighting cues to welcome the
occupants in with an “orchestrated symphony of lights” both inside and out. The
lighting can also follow humans around the vehicle to curate an experience
specifically to them. It’s also useful, containing information about the
battery’s state of charge. Once inside, occupants are greeted by a vegan
interior that is made up of warm, soft white seating materials, accented by
amethyst recycled suede. The exterior color was achieved using metallic paint
and a ceramic tri-coat with frosted acrylic accents in lieu of chrome.
Spatially, the interior has been designed
to take advantage of the concept’s autonomous and electric technology. The
vehicle is operated with a jewel-inspired “chess piece controller” instead of
steering wheel or pedals The seating, meanwhile, can be configured to have all
seats facing forward or each other, for a more social atmosphere. A simple
folding front seat enables that transformation, while the flat, illuminated
floor takes advantage of the lack of powertrain components cluttering the
passenger cabin.
Lincoln doesn’t go into detail about the
powertrain, but says that the Model L100 uses next-generation battery cell and
pack technologies that will deliver “game changing energy density.” It is
treating the whole vehicle as a system, it says, by integrating the batteries
into the structure of the vehicle, thereby enabling greater efficiency.
A followup to the brand’s Star Concept
SUV, the Model L100 Concept is the latest indication as to Lincoln’s design
intentions for its electric era. Promising several EVs on the road by 2025, the
brand is working to take its next step into the future.