Lincoln-Mercury says its Continental is designed to provide "exemplary comfort and ride quality in a highly
maneuverable sedan with distinctive styling." Lincoln has accomplished that mission and more, with improved ride
quality, enhanced maneuverability, subtle styling changes and a sophisticated new instrument panel. All told,
there are more than 400 enhancements for 1998.
Offered in just one model this year, the Continental offers the latest in technology with electronically adjustable
suspension and steering systems and futuristic instruments. These whiz-bang electronics are not intrusive, however,
as owners can choose to use them to tailor the car to their driving style and environment or they can simply ignore
them, relax and enjoy the cruise. Regardless of your level of involvement, the Continental is a satisfying luxury car.
There are face lifts that are so obvious you don't have to look closely to know what was done, and then there are
those so subtle you don't know what was done but like the overall effect. The Continental underwent a very subtle
face lift for 1998.
The front overhang was reduced. The headlamps and turn signals are covered with a single, thinner lens. Although
the grille retains its basic design of vertical bars, it is slightly bigger top to bottom and looks more prominent;
it's also more resistant to damage.
Massive Lincoln taillamps sweep around into the rear quarter panels. Front fenders, hood and decklid are made of a
sheet molding compound (SMC) that is more resistant to dents and dings. This material will allow Lincoln to revise
the styling more often to keep the Continental in step with evolving aesthetic trends. Overall, the Continental
looks rounder than before and makes a distinctive design statement.
The trunk lid raises high enough to not be a head-bumper for all but the tallest. The trunk boasts nearly 19 cu.
ft. of cargo capacity and a low lift-over height makes loading and unloading a lot easier.
Lifting the hood reveals an attractive engine compartment filled by the 4.6-liter V8. Washer fluid, oil filler and
other necessaries are out in the open and the cooling system is maintenance free. The 32-valve double overhead-cam
engine produces a healthy 260 horsepower at 5750 rpm and 270 foot-pounds of torque at 3000 rpm. The ignition system
has a coil for each plug for reduced maintenance and a cleaner appearance. New knock sensors mean premium fuel is
no longer required, though it is still recommended for maximum performance.
The engine drives the front wheels through a four-speed automatic linked electronically and mechanically to the
engine. The two talking to each other means shifts are remarkably smooth. Traction control is standard. Four-wheel
disc brakes with ABS are also standard.
The front suspension is independent with MacPherson struts. Ford's short- and long-arm independent rear suspension
is designed to maximize control of wheel movements for better ride and handling. The rear shocks have soft, normal
and firm settings controlled by the driver. Speed-sensitive power steering offers driver-selectable settings for low,
normal and high effort.
Flat tires are less of a concern with optional "run flat" tires that can go 100 miles without air. The Michelin MX4ZP
tires are part of a system called SecuriTire that includes an overhead console lamp that lights when a tire pressure
drops below 18 psi; it starts flashing at 10 psi in case the driver didn't notice the light.
A passive anti-theft system uses an encoded radio frequency between the key and the ignition capable of generating 72
quadrillion codes, making it virtually impossible to be beaten by even the most persistent bad guy.
There is so much to see and do inside a Continental. The luxurious interior covered in leather, wood and premium
