LINCOLN NAUTILUS IS BUILT TO SERVE AND SOOTHE
Lincoln Motor Company spent several years redefining what it feels like to drive a new Lincoln. From a philosophical standpoint, it’s all about making the driver and passengers feel well, all five senses engaged. Every new product introduction reflects this consideration of the driver’s experience, from product planning, to engineering, to design. A Lincoln is quiet. A Lincoln glides. A Lincoln is a respite.
What it feels like to drive a contemporary Lincoln has less to do with performance bragging rights, but more about comfort inside the cabin. When it comes to modern day luxe cruising, this approach feels in sync with the times and the right evolution for a storied century-old American luxury brand.
Lincoln’s newest vehicle introduction is the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, a midsize SUV that makes its second-generation debut this spring. We accepted Lincoln’s invitation to test drive the Nautilus in March at the vehicle’s global launch in Palm Springs, California, a town where design is part and parcel of the landscape. On our leg of the trip, we experienced all the twists and turns of desert weather – sun, snow, and smog, which is closer to what a customer experiences in the real world and as result was an apt test case for the brand promise. Nautilus delivers on both tactile and sensory based experiences behind the wheel.
Let’s start with sight. We climbed into cabin and discovered an experience oriented toward a substantial 48-inch screen, which is cinematic in nature. It wraps around the consul and is a hub for a suite of driver experiences. In some vehicles, an in-car screens appears as if a laptop has been dropped on the dashboard, but not the case here. The way the screen integrates with the folds and crevices creates a sense harmony between the screen and the rest of the cabin. It’s placed well below the driver’s sightline, so it doesn’t distract from the road, an issue that occurs in so many cars. Instead, the steering wheel is designed in oval shape for maximum visibility. Logical. Our screen broadcasted the day’s topsy turvy weather, but eventually in its place, over-the-air updates will make space for apps, such as Google Chrome and Youtube, when parked. It’s designed to make a way Lincoln Digital experience which is essentially a carryover of all the driver’s favorite subscriber settings. Some notable driving-oriented features include the safety driving program Blue Cruise, which is designed for eyes on the road, but hands-off-the-wheel.
Onto sound. A quiet cabin has become a pillar for Lincoln. In Nautilus, active noise cancellation, sound-erasure in the wheels, and acoustic glass make this a reality for a calm, serene space. When sound is desired, the capable Revel Ultima sound system pipes in music from 28 speakers. Voice aids include both options for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, a continuation of the personalized profile approach.
“A quiet cabin has become a pillar for Lincoln. ”
For all the feels, the materials in the Lincoln cabin has luster with wood and leathers used. The cabin is livable and large to the tune of almost 44 inches of legroom in the front, and 43 plus inches in the back. Roomy back seats and lots of space for suitcases. Feel of the ride is smooth, produced one of two engine offerings. The Nautilus has presence on the roads, capable steering, and coasts over bumpy patches.
The gas version is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine matched with a 100-kilowatt electric motor and creates 310 horsepower. We spent most of our time in the hybrid model, which seems like the right choice for only $1500 more and perfectly acceptable handling — every bit of fuel savings counts. The hybrid earns 30 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined. Meanwhile, the gas version earns 24 miles per gallon combined. Both versions are all-wheel drive only.
And last, but not least, onto scent. Scent layering can change the way a space feels and is correlated to responses in our nervous systems. Lincoln is diving deep into fragrances offering a broad selection on in-car digital scents from the patchouli-woodsy Mystic Forest to the floral tones of Violet Cashmere, to Ozonic Azure, a blend of patchouli and violet. The result is an experience that has intentionality and makes the ride and environment that is one step better than the new car smell, but one that leaves the driver refreshed and ready at the next destination.