RIDE-CT – Classic Cars Celebrating Classic Cars in Connecticut
EAST HADDAM, CT – The sticker on the inner door frame of the Lincoln Nautilus reads “MFD. BY FORD MOTOR CO.” but there’s more to the pilgrimage from factory-to-consumer than that. This star-spangled luxury crossover is actually assembled in Hangzhou, China, just like the similarly Chinese-born Buick Envision.
Its place of origin is why Nautilus pricing starts at $50,415. That’s the good news. The bad news is that the well-optioned Reserve Hybrid edition that I drove is stickered at $71,155, while a highline Black Label cream of the crop edition will take you to $80,000.
Nonetheless, it’s hit the sweet sport within the Lincoln model hierarchy because the two-row Nautilus is now the brand’s number one seller – up 42 percent year-to-date.
For most of us, the name Nautilus conjures up the image of the world’s first nuclear submarine. But, in fact, the term “is a symbol of nature’s grace in growth, expansion and renewal,” according to psychologist Dr. Becky Beaton. It’s derived from a family of ancient marine mollusks.
But back to terra firma and the midsize utility, like a lot of Lincolns of late, there’s a good bit of Range Rover appeal in the new Nautilus’ profile. That’s not a bad thing.
And as is typical of today’s times, the grille is bold and aggressive, and trimmed with delicate LED headlights. It’s followed by a slim, signature LED taillight bar out back. Big, beefy door handles with electronic actuation ensure easy ingress. Altogether, it’s a quite attractive and alluring package that stands tall with confidence and pride.
Being a full hybrid electric vehicle pays dividends at the pump. The lithe Lincoln delivers an impressive 30 miles per gallon City and 31 Highway. The electronic architecture supplements a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged engine with a combined total of 310 hp. It not only goes, but goes well.
Normally, we would talk about “more show than go” when it comes to a car’s under hood credentials. But in the case of the Nautilus, the critical observation pertains to the interior instead. Beautifully crafted, the leather-lined cabin is a unique oasis of cutting-edge aesthetics and modern technology combined with some old-world design cues.
The rectangular steering wheel harkens back to the days of futuristic Virgil Exner-designed Chrysler style and it allows for an unobstructed view of the whopping 4-foot wraparound, panoramic display screen that is well ahead of both driver and front seat passenger.
There’s a second tablet style, 11.1-inch touchscreen for operational control, which is a convenient arm’s length away. The company refers to the all-new amalgam of screens and controls as the immersive Lincoln Digital Experience.
While certainly striking and effectively informative, it was a bit challenging to actually operate, particularly with such simple tasks as activating the resettable trip odometer and adjusting the clock. And, often times, the radio had a mind of its own. Presetting stations proved to be a waste of time because they disappeared every time the Lincoln was turned off.
To get the map to come up required a three-step input process every time the Lincoln was turned back on. Perhaps it’s because mine was an early test example, and all the bugs hadn’t been worked out? I hope…
Otherwise, the “experience” behind the wheel was pure pleasure. The Nautilus is “a sanctuary for the senses,” as Lincoln puts it, because the quiet interior includes acoustic laminated glass, extensive sound deadening and Active Noise Control. Though the available 22-inch tires do transmit a little rumble as the rubber meets the road.
There’s also a digital scent system to ensure that the cabin remains fresh with a choice of seven different curated fragrances and colorful ambient light accents to help set the mood. A 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D sound system further adds to the bespoke experience.
Of course, the mid-size luxury Lincoln is likewise loaded with safety, connectivity and infotainment features. Co-Pilot 360 offers 20 state-of-the-art driver subsystems. There’s also a Jet Appearance Package with sophisticated, gloss black highlights and unique wheels which contribute to its upscale aura. All-wheel Drive is standard.
In the end, there’s no real reason for Ford to lay low and hold its Lincoln country of origin cards so close to the vest. The China-built Nautilus demonstrated a world-class level of quality from a fit, finish and overall functionality point of view. It could have just as easily been assembled in Germany, Japan … or America. Too bad the design and development of a few of the baffling Digital Experience controls wasn’t quite as compelling.
(Photos courtesy of Lincoln unless otherwise noted.)
