Spotted: Lincoln Nautilus on Dutch plates!
Lincoln Nautilus
The Lincoln Nautilus is a midsize luxury SUV produced by Lincoln, the luxury division of American automaker Ford Motor Company. The second generation of the Nautilus was officially unveiled in early 2023 and went on sale for the 2024 model year. Unlike its predecessor, which was produced in Canada, this all-new model will be assembled in China as part of the Changan Ford joint venture. The car features a modern new design, advanced interior technology and a simplified engine offering with hybrid options. The vehicle rests on a significantly revised version of Ford’s C2 platform, which it shares with the Ford Focus, Ford Escape (with us, the Kuga) and the Chinese Ford Mondeo, among others.
Quiet Flight 2.0 design language
On the outside, the Nautilus follows Lincoln’s new Quiet Flight 2.0 design language. The exterior design is sleeker and more aerodynamic, featuring recessed door handles integrated into the window frame and a “floating” black painted roof. The car is instantly recognizable by a distinctive full-width front light signature, including an illuminated Lincoln logo in the grille. At the rear are continuous LED taillights with animated greeting lights.
Technology and propulsion
With the introduction of the 2024 model, Lincoln said goodbye to the six-cylinder (V6) engine. The car is available exclusively with four-cylinder engines and offers two powertrains:
- A 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 186 kW (250 hp) and 380 Nm of torque. It is mated to a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission.
- A new hybrid variant that combines the same 2.0-liter turbo engine with a 100 kW (134 hp) electric motor. The combined system output is 228 kW (310 hp). The hybrid powertrain uses a continuously variable transmission (eCVT).
All-wheel drive (AWD) is standard for both motorizations. The suspension features adaptive shock absorbers (Continuous Control Damping).
Interior and equipment
The interior of the Nautilus contains the most radical changes. The traditional dashboard has given way to a striking 48-inch panoramic display that extends across the entire width of the cabin under the windshield. This huge panel acts as an instrument cluster and information display and is operated in part via a secondary, centrally located 11.1-inch touchscreen.
Lincoln introduced a partially flattened steering wheel so drivers can look over the steering wheel at the 48-inch display. A much-discussed new feature is Lincoln Rejuvenate, a wellness system that combines mood lighting, soothing images on the screens, massage functions in the (up to 24-way adjustable) seats and an integrated fragrance diffuser for in-cabin relaxation.
In addition, the Nautilus is equipped with BlueCruise, Ford’s driver assistance system that allows drivers to drive hands-free and automatically change lanes on certain pre-mapped highways.
Production and sales
Because the Oakville Assembly plant in Ontario, Canada (where the first generation was built) was converted by Ford for electric vehicle production, production of the Nautilus has been moved. The car is now produced at the Changan Ford plant in Hangzhou, China. This made the Nautilus the first Lincoln model to be exported to North America from China. In Europe, Lincoln has long since ceased operations, so it is quite special that we came across this Nautilus here.
