What is the most stable market for Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi today? The mid-size luxury sedan is definitely one, and our choices in this class seem to be only Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4L and BMW 3 Series.
Now there is finally such a new car, not only cost-effective, but also in many ways have the possibility of challenging the C-class, A4L and 3 Series. This is the Changan Lincoln Z that debuted at the Guangzhou Auto Show and opened for pre-sale. At present, seven models are available, with a pre-sale price of 255,000 to 342,000.
SLOGAN: Z is right!
SLOGAN has a Northeastern accent Z, what kind of car is it? Is it worth including our car buying options?
Positioning of Z Exquisite and modern Lincoln
Z's past life
The name Z is really not a mess. Before World War II, the United States began to appear the trend of streamlined body, the first car to succeed in the market was the Lincoln Zephyr, which means gentle breeze, which complements the streamlined design. The car also pioneered a new positioning in Lincoln's product line: a midsize sedan that was one notch smaller than the flagship sedan, but with a more modern design.
That was already fashionable then: the Lincoln Model K
And Lincoln Zephyr looked like this
After World War II, the Zephyr car and the name were hidden in the snow. It wasn't until 2006 that Lincoln released a sedan called the Zephyr again. As with the positioning of the original Zephyr, the size is one level smaller than the flagship sedan, but it is more modern and stylish in all aspects.
The flagship at the time: the last Lincoln City, which began production in 1998
In contrast, Zephyr is much more fashionable
However, in 2007, Lincoln changed the name of its products, and the car was renamed MKZ. But this trendy spirit on the Zephyr has continued until the replacement model, which uses the same platform as the Mondeo, has a more sporty and youthful appearance than the flagship MKS and continental, and was also a relatively unpopular good car at that time.
The replacement of MKZ
I used the taillights in 13 years
Z's now
With the discontinuation of MKZ worldwide, the successor to the domestic market is the new generation of Lincoln Zephyr, also known as Lincoln Z. Also inherited is the spirit and positioning of this series of models: smaller than the flagship model, that is, positioned in the mid-size car; younger than other Lincoln models, that is, what we currently see, with a significantly more fashionable appearance.
The reason why the exterior design of Z is younger than Lincoln's existing model is mainly reflected in the smoother lines, which is different from the American heavy feeling on today's Lincoln models. More popular elements are also used, such as exaggerated front grilles and through-strip light strips.
Lincoln Z also offers two different exterior designs, namely i-cool with a focus on sophistication and i-cool with a more sporty feel. The bracketing shape of the two is slightly different, and the rim shape is also different.
In the interior, the visual core is in the huge size of the central control screen, and the overall layout is also very simple. Some Lincoln family designs have also been retained, such as push-button shifts.
Where is Lincoln Z competitive? We feel that there are several highlights as follows:
Z's highlights
Screens are not just big
At the Guangzhou Auto Show, the audience next to the Lincoln Z exhibition car, the most concerned about the configuration of this car, is the 1.1-meter-long 27-inch central control screen in the car. Combined with a 12.3-inch LCD meter, it runs through the entire instrument table. This screen also supports multi-touch, has a high-definition resolution, and can achieve split-screen operation in function.
And this screen is not only huge in size, but also the system operation logic, reaction speed and functionality of the system are reasonable and practical. The experience in both the main and co-drivers was good. Similar large screens have been applied to Ford EVOS, we have also done an in-depth experience, can be used as a reference: Ford EVOS and crown road ratio space, and new forces than the car, what will be the result?
Large size space
Body size is also a highlight, lincoln Z length, width and height are 4982mm/ 1865mm / 1485mm, this data is close to the larger level of medium and large sedans. This size gives this car a good sense of volume.
The layout of the front-facing drive, coupled with the wheelbase of up to 2930mm, also brings ample interior space to the Lincoln Z, and the rear space is very spacious from the actual shooting of the auto show.
2.0T 246 hp
Power is also a more prominent highlight of Z, the same as the Ford EVOS 246 horsepower 2.0T engine plus 8AT gearbox, the maximum torque of 376N·m. The power is basically the level of BMW 330Li and Audi 45TFSI, and compared with the BBA models at the same price, the data advantage is very obvious. Moreover, now both BMW and Audi distinguish between high and low power, and the Lincoln Z maintains the advantage of the American car: the full system one power configuration.
It is worth mentioning that lincoln Z will also launch a hybrid version in the future. At present, Lincoln has a hybrid model of the adventurer PHEV, which is a rare hybrid model on the market, which can achieve better power loss and fuel consumption than the fuel version of the model, indicating that Lincoln still has some accumulation in related technology, and the hybrid version of Lincoln Z is worth looking forward to.
Z how to buy
When to choose these cars
Take a look at Z
In terms of level, Z's positioning is a medium-sized entry-level luxury car, corresponding to BBA's 3 Series, A4L, C Class, second-tier luxury brands in THE CT5, S60, XEL, etc. In terms of price, the pre-sale price is 255,000-342,000. At present, the C-class and 3 series are bullish in price after the chip crisis, and there is already a gap with lincoln Z. However, A4L also has some advantages, and the price after the discount is closest to the Lincoln Z.
For consumers who choose to buy Audi A4L, they may wish to consider the Lincoln Z, which is a front-facing front-drive layout, at the same price, Z has a significant upgrade of power, and also has a richer configuration, regardless of the brand factor is obviously more valuable. For consumers of BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-class, the price of low-end models can already buy the top of Lincoln Z, which is a choice of chicken head or phoenix tail.
The 45TFSI offer is also 340,000-350,000
For consumers who buy second-tier luxury brands, what they buy is actually the different personality of each brand. The current selling point of Lincoln Z is large-screen intelligence, American luxury, as well as large space and good power. Let's take a look at a few second-tier luxury brand competitors, and how to choose between lincoln Z.
Cadillac CT5 is the best-selling B-class car among the second-tier luxury brands, and it also comes from the American luxury brand. Compared to the Lincoln Z, the main advantage of the CT5 is the good handling and more sporty performance of the front and rear drives. The disadvantage of CT5 is that it has more space in the back row. Therefore, in the choice of two stations, I value the space to choose Lincoln Z, and I choose CT5 by myself.
The back row of ct5 is known as reverse space magic
Several other competitors, Jaguar XEL, have a similar level of power, but the product is older, and the sense of technology is much worse than lincoln Z. The size of the Volvo S60 is really too small, and the data of the two cars together is basically a level difference. Like the British style XEL, like the Nordic style S60, from the practical point of view to recommend Lincoln Z.
The XEL interior is clearly time for a replacement
In fact, there is another situation that is very worth considering Lincoln Z. That is the consumer who plans to buy B+ class mid-size cars such as Asia Dragon and LaCrosse. The size of the Lincoln Z is also B+ grade, and the price gap between the price and these cars is not large, and the upgrade of the experience is all-round. Similar consumers, you can consider adding a little more budget and upgrading to lincoln Z.
Maybe the Asian dragon will lie on the gun?
Configure the analysis
Premium value for money
At present, Lincoln Z has released detailed model and configuration information, and Lincoln Z provides a total of 7 models. In terms of configuration gradient, there are actually four different configurations: honor, honor, honor, and honor. Under the same configuration, there is almost no difference between the two models with different appearances except for the weight and appearance of the sports kit.
Lincoln Z full series of power system unified, the most highlighted configuration of the 27-inch large screen is the standard of the whole series, most of the highlights of the configuration is also from the most entry-level version can be experienced. In addition to the top configuration, there are several other configuration differences, as shown in the following table.
To sum up, with a limited budget, the 255,000 i-Cool Premium Edition can experience all the highlights of this car, but the functional configuration is missing. 270,000 premium version, all aspects of the configuration has been very complete, 300,000 zunya version of the main final experience has been improved, the budget is sufficient to care about the sense of experience can be on the zunya. If you have a very good budget and are willing to choose the top model, it is more recommended to enjoy the premium version. Because the i Privilege Edition comes with 24-way adjustment with massaged front seats.
These price differences are based on the currently published pre-sale prices. Judging from the two new car adventurers and navigators that have recently been listed, there will be no change in the difference between several configurations. According to past experience, the final official price of Lincoln Z should be about 2,000-3,000 yuan lower than the pre-price.
Finally, let's talk about Lincoln
In our memory, Lincoln was a largely marginalized brand. And now, with Lincoln's domestic production, he has gradually returned to the camp of second-tier luxury brands. In terms of sales, Lincoln's momentum is also fierce: 62,000 vehicles were sold in 2020, up 32% from 2019. In 2021, sales in just ten months have been 75,000 units, and 9,334 units were sold in September, which is close to breaking 10,000.
In this way, Lincoln has quickly chased into Volvo, far away from Jaguar, Land Rover, Infiniti, these once-sold small partners. Behind such a brilliant market performance, lincoln really has a rapid product strength, is it worth our purchase?
The bonus period for new cars
Lincoln's domestically produced SUV has a very stable sales, the most popular adventurers are hovering around 4,000 units a month, the Navigator 2,000 up and down, the Aviator 1,000 up and down. At present, these models are still in the dividend period of new models, and every rapid growth in Lincoln sales relies on the launch of new models.
The sales curve of the three SUVs has been very flat after the launch
Pricing is smarter
In addition to the blessing of the new car buff, the reason why Lincoln's new cars have sold well is inseparable from Lincoln's wise pricing policy today. The guidance price of second-tier luxury brands in the past was not low, and there was often a large-scale decline in the period after listing, as was Lincoln many years ago.
Adventurers start at just $246,800
However, at present, Lincoln's pricing strategy is to give a very sincere price at one time, and the price after listing is basically stable, and the preferential treatment is basically not to be thought about. As far as the Beijing area is concerned, among the models on sale in Lincoln, only adventurers have a discount of about 10,000 yuan.
Strong sense of luxury
Although the price is somewhat grounded, it does not mean that Lincoln has given up the tone of the luxury brand. In fact, whether it is an adventurer, navigator or aviator, the biggest change compared to the previous model after the upgrade is that the appearance and interior have created a good sense of luxury. In particular, the interior design, the large area of leather, wood grain and chrome decoration, and the large and comfortable seats are all in line with our impression of the word luxury.
In addition to the luxury of the product, the luxury of Lincoln service is also very strong. Lincoln is very willing to invest in the storefront, and the design, experience and service quality of the 4S store are very high in the luxury brand. All of this creates a feeling for Lincoln's consumers that the money I spent is worth it, and the brand is worth it.
Reliability to be tested
Although today's Lincoln sales are all the way promising, but Lincoln is not worth our purchase, I think we need a longer line of observation. In a latest car reliability ranking released by Consumer Reports this year, the Lincoln brand ranked first from the bottom among 28 brands. For the full report, please see: "Latest Reliability Ranking: Toyota only ranks third, Tesla ranks second to last!" 》
Of course, this report reflects the situation of Lincoln models sold in the United States, and it only has a certain reference for domestic Lincoln.
Write at the end
To sum up, the Lincoln Z car is still very good, and it is worth considering for consumers with a budget of 300,000.
In essence, we don't choose luxury brands to be more personalized and not conform to the crowd, but in this market, luxury brand cars are getting less and less. Before our choice was basically C-class, 3 series, A4L, it was always good to have Lincoln Z come and try to stir up trouble, giving us a new option.
Would you consider this car? What are your views on this car, see ~in the comments section