#NYIAS: The GREAT Debate — Is The Lincoln Navigator The NEW Continental?

In a word...No.

It is not a case of the Continental's time as an iconic nameplate having passed. That statement is beyond idiotic.

What is true is that Navigator is an iconic nameplate--sort of--in and of itself and the buyers have shifted the volume toward crossovers and away from sedans. Thus, among Lincoln's iconic nameplates, the Navigator is likely to have more volume.

Is the Jaguar XJ less iconic of a nameplate because the F-Pace will out sell it? Is the Porsche 911 less iconic because of the Cayenne?

The Navigator--if brought to market relatively faithfully--would most likely outsell the Continental. The stupid gull wing doors need to go, but the rest is doable in production.

Aside from the 60+ crowd, who actually thinks the Lincoln Continental is an icon?

If you ask anyone in their 30s or 40s they probably laugh as the Continentals from Lincoln were complete crap in their day.

So then Agent00R why are people 35+ putting deposits down to be in line to get a Continental?

Has ZIPPO to do with the name.

The company FINALLY put out a good product.

If ANY other company delivered a good product there will be interest — this is not rocket science, Matt.

MD: I agree with you 99% >>> but >>>> the gull wing doors need to stay >>> gansta's need their bling!!!

Sorry - but ANYONE who actually went to the NY Auto show and saw those humongous gull wings KNEW they had NO CHANCE at all of making it to production. THeir sheer size left a gap in the side of the vehicle so wide that it would be impossible to create a reasonable rigid structure that would not rattle and shake the way much smaller Mini-van sliders eventually do.

Now - as far as the "Flagship" status. First - the actual sales of the vehicle are not an indicator of that - so the idea that an SUV would sell better than a Sedan is meaningless. The flagship is generally a very expensive - high priced - all inclusive vehicle with the most and most current bells and whistles - that sells in small - and exclusive numbers. Neither the Continental nor the Navigator would qualify for that - they are intended to be regular production vehicles with steady sales. Now - a SPECIAL version of one or the other MIGHT qualify - but even then the Continental is front wheel drive - hardly a good start for a flagship to begin with. I think that too much has been made of having a flagship vehicle - especially for Cadillac and Lincoln. What they really need are cars and SUVs that actually are "desired" by people who buy in their segments. While the CTS is clearly the drivers car in the "E" class area - people simply do not like its lack of interior space and lack of a "Luxurious" ride option. That is the ONE thing I am concerned with - for the CT6 I ordered for my mom - the car is quiet - and rides wonderfully on nicely paved parkways - but as soon as you get to less well paved rural area roads - the comfort level drops off dramatically. While MY mom only drives locally - and is unlikely to see this much - I still wonder where the LUXURY car ride went. A Mercedes S class maintains its ride quality over virtually all but the worst pot holed roads.

@TomM @ricks0me was being facetious.

The Escalade is Cadillac's flagship and clearly Lincoln is gunning to follow suit.

The target mature buyer is not about to climb up 3 steps to enter the way too tall Navigator. What was Lincoln thinking???

You do realize this is a concept, right?

TomM, you indicate you have been driving a CT6 and are unhappy with the ride, yet they are not on sale yet. So, how is this possible.