Monday, July 18, 2016

Lincoln steps up with the pick-up




Everyone has to take their car in for service from time to time. Lincoln, to distinguish themselves from other luxury brands, is making that process now easier.  By picking up your car and giving you a loaner vehicle.

Starting with their 2017 line of vehicles, Lincoln with come to you with a vehicle of equal or greater value, take yours in for service and then return it when its finished. This will be available on all the Lincoln models, from the MKC Crossover to the Navigator and everywhere in between, including next year’s brand new Lincoln Continental.

All New 2017 Lincoln Continental

Lincoln’s service puts it in “uncharted territory,” which is a good step for a brand that fell off the radar of many luxury-car buyers. Yet it remains in eighth place among luxury marques, behind European and Japanese rivals as well as General Motors’ Cadillac. In a time when there are too many brands and everyone is copying each other, this Lincoln’s way of thinking outside of the box and standing out when it come to their customer service.

2017 Lincoln MKZ

“It’s the single most important item we’ve done in some time.For customers today, one of the things that they value the most is their time. This is a process by which the Lincoln dealers and the Lincoln Motor Co. can eliminate people’s needs to come to the dealer for almost anything.”
-Ed Witt, owner of Witt Lincoln in San Diego.

Lincoln has been testing the service at a few dealers over the past year. It surveyed customers who used it and found that 98 percent said they would be more likely to receive service from that dealer in the future and would recommend Lincoln to a friend because of it. In addition, 93 percent said they likely would purchase another Lincoln as a result. Lincoln Service Valet will be part of the vehicle’s four-year, 50,000-mile warranty coverage and available throughout the U.S.


Interested in owning a New Lincoln? Check out what is available at Gurley Leep South Side Ford-Lincoln or contact us to get your today!

Thursday, June 30, 2016

"It's like that"


 Lincoln has launched three new commercials in the ad campaign with the ever famous Lincoln-man himself, Matthew McConaughey, for the new 2017 Lincoln MKZ. They are filmed in a tone and style that convey exhilaration and the visceral feeling of driving. The ads bring back attention to the midsize, premium sedan that has been Lincoln's best-selling vehicle since it arrived in showrooms three years ago. Check out the new commercial featuring Matthew McConaughey below.


  Shave: Matthew McConaughey sits relaxed in a barber’s chair receiving a professional, straight razor shave. As the barber ends the shave with a steaming hot towel, we see the new, 2017 Lincoln MKZ cutting through the fog on a winding road, conveying the “It’s like that” moment of exhilaration and precision. 




  Midnight: At night, Matthew McConaughey arrives at an impressive Modernist home, dressed in a fine, tailored suit and walks out to a beautiful infinity pool. He stands at the pool’s edge fully dressed, and looks out. He recalls driving the MKZ, the two worlds mesh and he lets himself fall backwards into the water, fully dressed. The moment he hits the water, we see the new 2017 Lincoln MKZ accelerating out of a dark tunnel and into a night time rain, expressing the same “It’s like that” exhilaration of diving into a pool. 


  Ensemble (feat. Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings): We see a group of Musicians playing in a beautiful indoor setting. As the camera pulls back, the music builds, and Singer Sharon Jones begins singing a cover of “Midnight Rider.” As they continue to play, the camera recedes further back and we now see the performance through the grille of the new 2017 Lincoln MKZ. Inside the vehicle, we see Matthew McConaughey as that "midnight rider" enjoying his drive. The song conveys the “It’s like that” visceral feeling and performance of the available 400-horsepower engine. 



Monday, June 20, 2016

Lincoln Builds SUV That Is "Yacht Inspired"




Dubbed the anti-Cadillac, the Navigator concept that Lincoln just unleashed on the public is seeking a new look that is a "quiet luxury" over "scaring people". Sure, an Escalade is an awesome SUV to own, but many feel it is too loud and in your face. This Navigator concept achieves a more subtle approach to luxury. Though a concept, there is a strong inclination that Lincoln will begin production of the new Navigator in 2018.

The most prominent feature is its single, upward opening door stretching almost from wheel to wheel on each side. Out comes steps that unwind easily enough the second the door opens. Unfortunately though for those who are fan of the door, it does not appear that it will make the final cut. David Woodhouse, Lincoln's chief designer, said that "the doors won't make it. We're being quite clear about that. We did it to really show off the interior." Definitely disappointing, but maybe we will get lucky as consumers and have a trim with this incredible feature.

Three rows of captain chairs that complement the boat feel of the boat only make it feel even more luxurious. The instrument panel is horizontally long and is free of clutter that plagues many of the modern vehicles today. Audio and climate controls are located on floating consoles between the first two rows of seats in addition to the driver dash. The shifter buttons that are currently stacked vertically in Lincolns are arranged like large piano keys under the central touch screen system.

It is certainly not short of power. With over 400 horse power and a twin-turbo, V-6 engine, the Lincoln packs a punch unlike many of the other luxury SUVs.

We are definitely excited for this concept becoming a reality. It is very reminiscent of the old Land Rovers, but has a much classier rather than rugged feel to it.

For your Lincoln Navigator, or any Lincoln needs, be sure to shop with us or chat with one of our sales representatives at Gurley Leep Southside Lincoln. 

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Lincoln Domination of the Racing Scene

Okay, not anymore. Believe it or not, though, Lincoln used to dominate the racing scene in Mexico in from 1950 to 1954. The Carrera Panamericana tore across Mexico for only five years, but the legend continues. Competing with an exclusive lineup of cars-- Ferraris, Mercedes-Benz Gullwings, Lancias, Hudsons, Porsches, and Packards-- the Lincoln line of vehicles dominated the field for those five years.


Legends Bill France and Juan Manuel Fangio showed off their racing capabilities in the Carrera Panamericana all over the Mexican heartland driving their Lincolns. They made the Gullwings, previously thought to be unbeatable, look like amateur cars. The performance and durability of those vehicles that continues to this day by Ford Lincoln Motor Company is what separated them from the rest of the Carrera Panamericana field.

Unfortunately, the Carrera Panamericana was just too dangerous to carry on. Based off the number of races run and the mount of participants and spectators killed, it was one of the most deadly cars of all time. While this ceased its racing for some time, it was not forgotten. A rebirth of the Carrera as a rally in the same vein as the Mille Miglia was created in 1988, and runs to this day.Old school Lincolns can still be seen in this race, and  it is certain that Ford Lincoln Motor Company has had a lasting effect on this race and has some other variations of their vehicles in this Mexican marathon. Over a week long currently, racers can be seen on public roads driving at top speeds, mostly through mountains of central Mexico and being observed by over 2 million spectators in all. Lining up in southern Mexico and racing nearly 1800 miles north, it passes through the city of Oaxaca, Puebla, Mexico City, Queretaro, Morelia, Zacatecas, and ends in Durango.


For more information about the original race, here is an original article from the 70s detailing the race.

For your next Lincoln, be sure to visit us or chat with one of our sales representatives.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

The All New Lincoln Approach Detection Featured in 2017 Continental

Calling it a memorable, meaningful, and personable welcome, Lincoln released the details for the 2017 Continental today.


“The Lincoln Approach Detection does more than just turn on lights,” said Sheryl Connelly, Ford Motor Company global consumer trends and futuring manager. “It allows Continental to welcome you as if arriving at a friend’s house for dinner, or checking into a resort. It makes you feel at home where you have everything you need and you are in a serene and familiar space.”

What is this Lincoln Approach Detection? It is actually one of the coolest things that a car company has ever done. As the driver approaches the car, the Continental comes to life, creating illuminated exterior welcome mats and a soft exterior and interior glow as if you were returning to your home. The door handles will begin to glow that will compliment the color of the vehicle. It also has some interior LED lights that turn on when approached that give it a unique ambiance.

Solomon Song, Lincoln Exterior Design Manager, calls it "the Continental greeting you with a warm smile."



In addition to all these incredible exterior revolutions, Lincoln has added auto-folding side view mirrors that will adjust to your preferred position once you push to start.

Needless to say, we are excited for this vehicle. It combines the traditional feel of Continental with an entirely revolutionary luxury system that makes you feel just at home.

To shop for your next Lincoln, make sure you visit us at Gurley Leep South Side Lincoln and chat with one of our sales representatives.

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

2018 Lincoln Navigator Concept

 
 
  The 2018 Navigator concept packs a 3.5 liter EcoBoost engine worth 400 hp. The next Navigator will also come on a shiny new chassis, and apparently the overall design—fortunately sans gull-wing doors—is said to be a strong preview of what Lincoln plans for its Navigator, which is basically a Continental SUV.

  The concept also previews Ford’s emerging semi-autonomous tech, featuring lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, pre-collision assist, automatic braking wired to radar and camera sensors, and a 360 degree camera—all of which are likely to appear on the production model.



You can shop our current Navigator inventory at www.gurleyleeplincoln.net or visit our showroom located at 320 E. Ireland Rd. South Bend, IN. 46614 where you can speak with a member of our Lincoln Certified Sales Staff. We look forward to hearing from you.

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Preparing your car for Spring/Summer

 
  With winter FINALLY behind us, it's time to start thinking about summer roads trips. But first, you need to make sure your car is ready for summer road trips. Check out these tips below to make sure you won't get stranded on your first of many road trips.

1. Get rid of salt on the undercarriage.  Road salt can damage the undercarriage of your vehicle by eating away at it, so use a garden hose with as much water as you can to loosen grime and salt.

2. Check the tires.  Tire pressure changes about 1 pound per square inch for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit change in outside temperature, so it's important to check tire pressure after weather changes. You should never exceed the recommended tire pressure for your car.

3. Check the wiper blades.  Your wipers are worked hard all winter removing dirt and debris, including salt and spray from your windshield. Six months to a year is the usually life expectancy of wipers. Also, make sure you refill your wiper fluid.

4. Rotate the tires.  This is something that is relatively simple, but really important. Rotating your tires can extend the tread life and should be done roughly every 5,000-10,000 miles, but check your manual for the exact intervals. A good rule of thumb is to rotate your tires at every oil change.

5. Change the oil and oil filter.  Some manufacturers recommend using a heavyweight oil to help the engine perform more efficiently in hotter weather. However, you should always consult your owners manual for the best recommendation for your car. Make sure you also change the oil filter, since a dirty filter won't keep new oil clean.

6. Change the air filter. The air filter prevents dust and other debris from getting into the combustion chambers of the cylinders, resulting in wasted gas and weaker engine performance. A good rule of thumb is to change the air filters every six months.

7. Flush and fill your cooling system.  This is cheap insurance against engine failure. It's recommended that you flush your systems every two years or 24,000 miles. Again, consult your owners manual. Simply draining your radiator is not enough, it doesn't get rid of the grease, rust and sediments built up in there.

8. Check the radiator and gas caps.  Radiator caps don't last forever, so replace yours whenever you flush the cooling system. Pressure recommendations vary, so get the right cap for your vehicle model. Nearly 20 percent of vehicles have gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing altogether, wasting some 147 million gallons of gas every year. 

9. Check the battery and spark plugs.  Make sure all battery posts and connections are secure and free of corrosion. Dirty spark plugs cause misfiring, which wastes fuel. If you're planning a long trip, consider replacing the battery a spark plugs if they are more than two years old.

10. Clean the cabin.  It may seem like common sense, but appearances are important no matter the season. Get rid of all the debris that's been hanging out in your car all winter and then grab the vacuum! Remove all the mats to vacuum and wash outside. Don't forget about the trunk. Take out the spare tire and vacuum in there as well, but before you put it back check the pressure on the spare. Any grime, road dust or fingerprints have no appeal anytime of the year, so grab some vinyl cleaner and make sure you wipe down the dashboard, steering wheel and door panels.

  Whew! Now you're ready to wash and wax. Ordinary dish washing liquid and a clean, soft sponge will do nicely Make sure you use a different sponge though for the body and the wheels, you don't want to scratch your car. Or, there are plenty of reputable car washes around that will make your car sparkle and shine without you lifting a finger. Now, hit the road, you've earned it!