Still front-wheel drive, a redesigned Continental 4-door sedan debuted late in 1994, featuring a new V8 engine with dual-overhead camshafts. Less-conservative, contemporary styling now resembled the Mark VIII coupe. Developing 260 horsepower, the 4.6-liter V8 drove a new electronic 4-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment included dual airbags, antilock braking, automatic climate control, and an air-filtration system to trap dust and pollen. A redesigned instrument panel displayed virtual-image graphics. The driver could adjust ride quality and steering assist from dashboard buttons.

1996 Lincoln Continental: Continental's formerly optional antitheft alarm became standard for 1996, and a Remote Emergency Satellite Cellular Unit (dubbed RESCU) became optional. It consisted of a voice-activated cellular phone, two emergency buttons mounted in the overhead console, plus a global-positioning satellite receiver in the car's trunk. One button summoned roadside assistance; the other, police or medial assistance.

1997 Lincoln Continental: Traction control (formerly optional) became standard. Lincoln abandoned the front air springs in favor of ordinary steel-coil springs.

1998 Lincoln Continental: Continental gets a minor restyling but continues with the same mechanicals. It's almost exactly the same size as the model it replaces, but new proportions give the '98 Continental a shorter nose and longer tail. The restyled cabin has bird's-eye maple trim and one inch less rear leg room.

1999 Lincoln Continental: Changes for '99 included standard front side airbags and a 15-horsepower boost, to 275, for the 4.6-liter engine. Additionally, a leather-and-wood steering wheel, 10-spoke alloy wheels, and a 2-tone leather interior were new options.

2000 Lincoln Continental: Three new safety features went into 2000 models: rear child-seat anchors; a manual emergency release inside the trunk; and Belt Minder, a chime and warning light to encourage buckling up.

2001 Lincoln Continental: All Lincoln's got free regularly scheduled maintenance for the first three years/36,000 miles starting in 2001. Discontinued was RESCU, Lincoln's satellite/cell-phone-based emergency assistance service.

2002 Lincoln Continental: Lincoln announced that 2002 was to be Continental's final model year and did not make public any plans for a direct replacement. Added midyear was a special-trim Collector's Edition option for Driver Select models.

Road Test Evaluation Helped by its new V8 engine, this Continental is a lot quicker, a bit more agile--and loaded with electronic gadgetry. In acceleration, the newly energetic Continental can match a Cadillac Seville SLS. At 16.3 mpg, gas mileage has not improved and premium fuel is recommended. Despite its multiple adjustments, Lincoln's high-tech electronic suspension/steering fails to succeed fully. High mode makes the steering stiffer, without increasing feel; Low mode leaves the steering rather light and vague. The suspension also works best in Normal, as the other two modes have little effect on absorption of bumps. Interior space is great. Occupants have plenty of leg space front and rear, while head room is adequate for 6-footers, even with the optional moonroof. Storage space is fine. The Continental's trunk is wide, deep, and long. Reflecting off a mirror above the instrument cluster, the dramatic virtual image gauges are strikingly bright at night, but hard to read in bright sunlight. Controls are plentiful, and most are handy, but climate controls and seat heaters are recessed into the dashboard and hard to reach.   Value for the Money Lincoln evidently attempted to make the Continental both a sports sedan and a traditional luxury car. It's not quite either, but worth a look anyway. Because sales have been tepid, used-car prices may be appealing.

Each vehicle report contains one rating table for a representative model. We rate in seven key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Interior Noise, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings are given taking into account the "world" of vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "5" is the highest rating.

Road Test Ratings 1996 Lincoln Continental Ratings Performance 5 Fuel Economy 2 Ride Quality 4 Quietness 4 Interior Room 4 Cargo Capacity 4 Insurance Costs 4 Total 27

Specifications Lincoln Continental 4-door sedan Wheelbase, in. 109.0 Overall Length, in. 206.3 Overall Width, in. 73.3 Overall Height, in. 55.9 Curb Weight, lbs. 3911 Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 18.1 Standard Payload, lbs. -- Fuel Capacity, gals. 18.0 Seating Capacity 6 Front Head Room, in. 39.1 Max. Front Leg Room, in. 41.8 Rear Head Room, in. 39.0 Min. Rear Leg Room, in. 39.2 Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability All Continentals had the same powertrain: a 260-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 engine with dual-overhead camshafts, driving a 4-speed automatic transmission. In 1999, engine revisions netted an addition 15 horsepower and 10 pound-feet of torque.

Engines Size liters/ cu. in. Horsepower Torque EPA city/hgwy Consumer Guide Observed dohc V8 4.6 / 281 260-275 265-275 4-speed automatic: 17/25 4-speed automatic: 16.3

Notes: Engine Key: ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; H = horizontally opposed cylinders; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Trouble Spots   Air conditioner: Air conditioner output may be low or nonexistent because of a problem with the compressor clutch. (1995) Hard starting: The engine may be hard to start or may stall after hot soak due to the idle-air control valve sticking (1995-96), or a poor connection at the crank position sensor. (1995-97) Steering noise: The steering grunts or groans after making right hand turns, requiring replacement of the steering gear. (1995-97) Suspension noise: Clunking from the front end may be due to premature wear of the sway-bar links. (1995-97)

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.

Average Replacement Cost A/C Compressor $435 Alternator $510 Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $870 Brakes $320 Constant Velocity Joints $470 Exhaust System $540 Radiator $290 Shocks and/or Struts $1,165 Timing Chain or Belt $795

Prices Good Average Poor 1995 Continental $4,000-4,800 $3,300-3,900 $1,300-1,500 1996 Continental $4,800-5,600 $4,000-4,700 $1,800-2,100 1997 Continental $6,000-6,900 $5,200-6,000 $2,500-2,900 1998 Continental $8,500-9,500 $7,700-8,600 $4,400-4,900 1999 Continental $11,000-12,000 $9,900-10,800 $5,900-6,500 2000 Continental $14,000-15,500 $12,700-14,100 $8,500-9,500 2001 Continental $17,000-18,500 $15,600-17,000 $10,900-11,800 2002 Continental $21,000-22,500 $19,300-20,700 $13,700-14,600 This chart details a range of average prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels: Good-a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair. Average-a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well. Poor-might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment-usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully-loaded vehicles may cost more. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary-especially from region to region.