Lincoln Zephyr Reflection Revealed: Zephyr Name Relaunched For Shanghai Auto Show Concept

Lincoln China relaunched the Zephyr nameplate by unveiling the new Zephyr Reflection concept car at the Shanghai Motor Show 2021, intended only for the Chinese market.

It’s said to precede a possible production four-door sedan slated to debut later in 2021, and is designed to preview Lincoln’s future styling strategy and technology showcase.

Details of the size, engine and platform were not shared with the media when the car was unveiled, so it’s unclear exactly how to place its size and segment.

Instead, Lincoln has emphasized futuristic technology by including a dashboard filled with infotainment screens, a new welcome feature that activates a series of function-specific lights and buttons or key icons. are displayed on the console as needed.

Lincoln describes the widescreen “coast to coast” as being made up of three individual units and will feature a new human-machine interface called “Constellation”. It reconfigures the screens into three themes – Normal, Sport, and Zen – which are based on variations in the night sky, according to Lincoln.

Ironically, Lincoln says the display bank will include “intuitive technologies and effortless experiences designed to reduce the digital stress consumers face every day.”

The design of the Zephyr Reflection concept takes on the attributes of high-profile family members such as the Aviator and Corsair SUVs, but also resembles emerging EVs including the Sony Vision-S sedan and Lucid Air.

Like the last two cars, the production version is expected to be powered by an electric powertrain – as is becoming increasingly common in the Chinese market.

The body of the Zephyr Reflection incorporates flush door handles and large air intakes along the radiator grille. A full-width light bar connects the headlights to each other, while an illuminated Lincoln star emblem is also present.

Interest in US touring sedans wanes, forcing the US-based Lincoln arm to pivot towards an all-SUV lineup. However, Lincoln China cites the continued strong consumer interest in luxury four-door sedans, which led to the Zephyr Reflection concept, a car unique to China.

The name Lincoln Zephyr was originally used for a range of luxury cars produced from 1936. The name Zephyr was lent to a series of mid-size luxury cars in four-door sedans, four-door convertible sedan, sedan two-door, two-door coupe and two-door convertible body styles. Each was powered by an 82 kW 4.4-liter V12 engine.

Production ended in 1942 due to the United States’ involvement in World War II.

Further details await the full launch of a car to production specs later this year.