2017 Lincoln Continental revealed at NAIAS

The production-ready 2017 Lincoln Continental has been revealed at the Detroit motor show. It is hoped that the new flagship of Ford's premium arm will help to relaunch the brand. 

A broad new signature grille at the front of the car is flanked by distinctive intricate headlights, while three air intakes are incorporated into the front bumper and house LED accent lighting. A panoramic sunroof stretches across most of the roof area. 

In profile, the Continental maintains Lincoln's signature three-box shape, with modern flourishes such as the high-mounted, button-operated door handles sitting on the window line.

The simple back-end design features a light bar spanning the width of the rear of the car, sited below a small ducktail spoiler and above two trapezoidal exhaust outlets.

Particular attention has been paid to the interior of the Continental, with the front seats inspired by those in private jets and offering an electric 30-way adjustment range at the front, while massage, heating and cooling functions feature on both the front and rear seats. Rear passengers have controls for audio and climate control settings, as well as the ability to recline their seats, along with, according to Lincoln's claims, generous rear leg room.

The console and instrument panel are leather-wrapped, while a choice of wood or aluminium interior panels is available.  

Under the bonnet, a Lincoln-specific 3.0-litre petrol V6 is expected to provide both 400bhp and 400lb ft, and according to Lincoln, is designed with smoothness in mind. Adaptive steering and suspension will feature on the Continental, with drivers able to choose between Comfort, Normal and Sport settings. 

Autonomy is a huge talking point at this year's Detroit motor show, and the Continental follows suit, featuring several driver assistance technologies, including the option of automatic braking and acceleration in heavy traffic, as well as pre-collision technology with pedstrian avoidance and autonomous emergency braking. Parking aids, such as a 360deg camera system, are also available.

No word has been released on pricing, but the Continental will go on sale in the autumn of this year in the US and China only. The model will be built at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan.