Lincoln Keeps Sedans Alive With Zephyr Reflection Concept In China

Lincoln was skimpy with the first official photos of their latest concept model, the Zephyr Reflection, so we’ve added live photos from the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show below. (Updated 4/20/2021)

Lincon is previewing the latest expression of its “quiet flight” design language with the Zephyr Reflection, which it’s calling a teaser in the shape of a concept car.

The sedan made its debut at Auto Shanghai 2021 today, where Lincoln says that demand for luxury sedans is still strong. With this modern take on American luxury, the brand hopes to take advantage of that demand.

“We gathered Lincoln’s global wisdom and Chinese design talent to create the Zephyr Reflection specifically for a more youthful, Chinese customer segment,” said Mao Jingbo, president of Lincoln China. “With a dynamic and futuristic exterior design, and a lightweight interior, the Zephyr Reflection embodies the current digital era with advanced, intuitive technology that redefines American luxury.”

Read Also: Final Lincoln Continental Rolled Off The Production Line On October 30 As Brand Kills Sedan Range

Still recognizably Lincoln, the new design updates the grille substantially and takes much inspiration from the night sky. Inspired by the star in the Lincoln badge, the company refers to the pattern of the grille as “starburst” and it cascades down the front fascia.

A line of light flows from that badge, cutting across the grille, becoming a design line that follows all the way around the car. Narrow headlights suggest advanced lighting tech and also flow from the grille.

It also features a sloping roofline that gives this sedan some coupe attitude. The tear-drop shape reminds us of the art deco style of the original Lincoln-Zephyr from the ’30s.

Inside, meanwhile, the starry theme is continued. In the “coast-to-coast” digital infotainment system that stretches across the entirety of the dashboard, the company uses its Constellation UI. Inspired by the night sky, it has three themes: Normal, Sport, and Zen.

The stars of the constellation on the screen react to more than just your driving mode, though. Even something as simple as adjusting the air conditioning generates a reaction from the stars in the infotainment screen.

The screen, meanwhile, provides information and entertainment to both the driver and the passenger and helps Lincoln keep up with the latest giant infotainment systems from the likes of Mercedes and Cadillac.

“Our global design team leveraged deep insights from our talented team in China, and carefully considered the discerning expectations of our young and affluent Chinese clientele,” said Kemal Curic, design director, Lincoln. “The result is an evolution of our Quiet Flight product DNA. Quiet Flight has already proven to be a key differentiator for Lincoln globally, and now, showcases our drive for innovation, while addressing the evolving needs and wants of China’s new generation.”

Unfortunately, driveline details are not available yet since this is just a concept. The good news, though, is that Lincoln says that the Zephyr Reflection will lead to a production vehicle soon. It will be exclusive to China, sadly.

Along with the Zephyr Reflection, the brand also introduced Lincoln ID, a new e-commerce app. Based on the pre-existing Lincoln Way app, the brand hopes that ID will allow users access to a number of digital services. Through it, users will be able to access pre-sales, travel, entertainment, and more.

For all the latest stories from the Shanghai Auto Show, head to our dedicated hub here.