The Review Garage

by Frank A. Aukofer

Los Angeles, CA — Sparks are flying at Ford. Hot on the tailgate of the company’s all-new electric Mustang Mach-E, the company’s  Lincoln division brought its compact luxury sparkler: the 2021 Corsair Grand Touring crossover sport utility vehicle.

It was introduced here following the debut of the Mustang Mach-E, both in connection with the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The Grand Touring is not as avant garde as its Mustang cousin but qualifies as a somewhat electric, a plug-in hybrid that can run up to 25 miles on purely battery power. Of course, for hybrid running it has a gasoline engine as well.

It was a rapid addition to the lineup of the existing Corsair, itself introduced only seven months ago at the New York Auto Show, and furthers the company’s electrification ambitions. Lincoln now has a full lineup of SUVs and crossovers, including hybrid versions of the three-row Aviator.

The new Corsair Grand Touring doesn’t turn heads initially. Except for a unique “Spirit Blue” grille, 20-inch wheels and some trim items, it looks like the existing Corsair models, which are the replacement for Lincoln’s previous MKC crossover.

Like the other Lincolns, the emphasis is on serenity and sanctuary. In addition to designing a quiet, stress-free driving ambiance,  including noise canceling technology and additional insulation, the designers also are focused on what role music can play to enhance the experience.

Though there was no opportunity to drive the Grand Touring at its grand opening here, it doubtless will be similar to that of the other models, only with a smaller impact on the environment. Though no fuel economy numbers were available, a guesstimate here is that the miles per gallon equivalent could work out to 70 MPGe in electric driving and more than 30 miles to the gallon in hybrid mode.

A 14.4-kilowatt lithium-ion battery pack, mounted under the passenger compartment, provides the electric power. Recharging from a level II, 240-volt charger takes three to four hours, Lincoln says. It takes 10-11 hours from a standard 110-volt household outlet.

The gasoline-engine Corsair has selectable driving modes for different conditions that adjust multiple functions, including shift points, and steering and suspension systems. They are labeled Normal, Conserve, Excite, Slippery and Deep Conditions.

The Grand Touring hybrid adds two modes: Preserve EV helps recharge the battery up to 75 percent while continuing to use both the engine and motor to deliver full performance. Pure EV puts the Corsair in full electric mode. When the battery runs down, the gasoline engine automatically switches on for hybrid driving.

All-wheel drive is standard on the Grand Touring, with an electric motor to drive the rear wheels and a second electric motor integrated into the continuously-variable automatic transmission. In hybrid mode, they work seamlessly with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine to make 266 hp.

As with other Corsair models, the Grand Touring comes with Lincoln’s “phone as a key” technology, which operates from a smart phone app to lock and unlock doors, open the lift gate and operate interior functions.

Also, Lincoln Co-Pilot 360, a driver assist system that includes pre-collision emergency braking, roadside speed sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centering, emergency evasive steering assist, reverse braking assist, and active parking assist to park the Corsair automatically in perpendicular or parallel spaces.

Estimated to start at more than $50,000, the Corsair Grand Touring will go on sale in the summer of 2020. It will be built at the company’s Louisville (KY) Assembly Plant.

Disclaimer: This test drive was conducted at a manufacturer-sponsored press event. The manufacturer provided travel, accommodations, vehicles, meals and fuel.

Photos (c) Lincoln