Lincoln replaced the steering wheel with a ‘chess piece controller’ in its Model L100 concept

Monterey Automotive Week has been a hotbed of EV debuts this 12 months with unveilings from Dodge, Acura, DeLorean and a bunch of different automakers. On Thursday, Lincoln revealed the Mannequin L100, its futuristic foray into electrified mobility, which pulls inspiration from the corporate’s very first luxurious sedan, the 1922 Mannequin L.

Like its pre-Despair predecessor, the Mannequin L100 reveals a stunning diploma of opulence. “Subsequent era battery cell and pack applied sciences,” learn the Thursday launch, will ship “recreation altering vitality density,” whereas the steering wheel can be changed with a “jewel-inspired chess piece controller that captures mild and depth by redefining the car controls contained in the cabin.” That fancy yoke gained’t be a lot use for precise steering due to the car’s theoretical autonomous driving capabilities taking good care of the navigating.

“Idea autos permit us to reimagine and illustrate how new experiences can come to life with the assist of superior applied sciences and permit our designers extra inventive freedom than ever earlier than,” Anthony Lo, Ford’s chief design officer, in a press release. “With the Mannequin L100, we had been in a position to push the boundaries in ways in which evolve our Quiet Flight model DNA and alter the way in which we take into consideration Lincoln designs of tomorrow.”

Different fantastical design particulars embrace animal-free interiors with entrance row seats that may flip to face the rear passengers (good factor the automobile’s driving itself), a digital flooring and cover that may venture lifelike animated scenes onto the ground and ceiling, a full-length hinged glass roof and reverse-hinged doorways that open up like a lily. 

There is not any phrase but on when the manufacturing car spawned from this idea will arrive. Sadly lots of the concepts introduced right here will inevitably be minimize, going the way in which of Mercedes’ superior, Avatar-inspired trunk hatch wigglers.