Lincoln News: Lincoln Previews Black Label Line

[William Maley]

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William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

August 15, 2013

Lincoln is previewing their next step in revitalization with the introduction of the Black Label line at Pebble Beach today. Lincoln says Black Label is 'a collection of ultra-premium exterior and interior themes mated to an even higher level of personal services and experiences that mark the next step in the brand’s reinvention.'

Think of Black Label as being akin to Audi Exclusive, BMW Individual, and Mercedes-Benz designo. All offer a variety of special leathers, paint colors, wood treatments, and other stylized treatments. However in the case of Lincoln, Black Label will be offered in three different trim levels or themes as the brand calls them.

• Center Stage: Inspired by fashion and theater. Features Jet Black interior with a Foxfire Red headliner. Exterior comes in a Black Tie paint color.
  
• Indulgence: Inspired by the lure of premium chocolate to ignite a rich sensory experience. Features Truffle-colored Venetian leather and Ziricote wood trim. Comes in a Chroma Couture exterior.
  
• Modern Heritage: Features a white interior with distinctive wood trim. Exterior painted in a Confidential White tri-coat.
  

“The new Lincoln Motor Company is built on three foundational elements – design, quality and personal service; Black Label represents our highest expression of these elements,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president of Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln.

“The progressive luxury client craves to know the story behind the products and services they engage – they want to feel that personal connection. That’s at the heart of Black Label; we want to provide special experiences for every Black Label client before, during and after they choose their new Lincoln vehicle.”

Black Label will be available on all Lincoln models starting in late 2014.

Source: Lincoln

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

Press Release is on Page 2

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AUG 15, 2013 | PEBBLE BEACH, CALIF.

NEW LINCOLN BLACK LABEL COLLECTION FOR THE LUXURY CUSTOMER PREVIEWED AT PEBBLE BEACH

> Lincoln Black Label previews a new and higher level expression of Lincoln design, style, materials, craftsmanship and personal service and experience

> Ultra-premium materials and meticulous execution complement three stylish and sophisticated themes from Lincoln Design team

> Brand and dealers to collaborate on consistent, personal and integrated customer experience that respects the luxury of time

Lincoln, the luxury automobile brand, today previewed Lincoln Black Label, a collection of ultra-premium exterior and interior themes mated to an even higher level of personal services and experiences that mark the next step in the brand’s reinvention.

Showcased on an all-new MKZ and the MKC Concept, Lincoln Black Label eventually will be available on every new Lincoln vehicle. This full-range availability enables more vehicles in the model portfolio to be equipped with this higher-level expression of luxury than currently offered by any competitor.

“The new Lincoln Motor Company is built on three foundational elements – design, quality and personal service; Black Label represents our highest expression of these elements,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president of Global Marketing, Sales and Service and Lincoln.

“The progressive luxury client craves to know the story behind the products and services they engage – they want to feel that personal connection. That’s at the heart of Black Label; we want to provide special experiences for every Black Label client before, during and after they choose their new Lincoln vehicle.”

Lincoln and Black Label dealers will collaborate to create a consistent, personal and integrated client shopping and ownership experience. The entire process will provide respect for the luxury of time with a complete suite of elevated customer services to be unveiled at the time of Black Label market introduction.

Limited-edition design themes, ultra-premium materials, meticulous execution and elevated client service will be the hallmarks of Lincoln Black Label.

Black Label was conceived and designed by a select Lincoln Design team to reflect the breadth of the brand. In its earlier days, Lincoln was a favorite vehicle for unique, sophisticated and luxurious bespoke exterior and interior themes. This has inspired a new direction to provide a higher level of luxury available to all clients of the brand – not just those who purchase the most expensive, top-of-range models.

Creating a family of elegant themes that represents confidence and sophistication, each of the three interior environments presented at the preview is coordinated with exclusive exterior colors.

The materials for each interior environment have been selected to reflect the team’s desire to create a warm and sophisticated package that also tells a story.

After starting with nearly two dozen concepts, the Lincoln Black Label design team honed in on a select few themes, each inspired by trends in fashion, food and architecture as well as lifestyles and experiences.

“Each of the theme-based offerings from Black Label is designed with a specific customer profile in mind,” said Susan Lampinen, group chief designer, Color and Material Design. “Lincoln Black Label will offer a variety of choices as well as a narrative that speaks to luxury clients – we want them to feel a personal connection with the theme and see themselves in the car.”

Lincoln Black Label themes

Center Stage, inspired by fashion and theater, is designed for the most expressive clients. The Jet Black interior is highlighted by a Foxfire Red headliner, capturing the drama of being in a dark theater with the impact of a rich, deep red accent color. Alcantara suede with uniquely designed perforation adds plush texture to the doors and seats.

Indulgence is inspired by the lure of premium chocolate to ignite a rich sensory experience. Ganache- and Truffle-colored Venetian leather with a subtle antiqued finish adds richness and depth. The Ziricote wood trim features a beautiful natural grain and color inherent in the wood with no added dyes or stains. This wood - new to the automotive industry - is often used in high-end yachts.

Modern Heritage offers a fresh take on the classic black-and-white interior with subtle red accents. Designed for the client who appreciates a clean, modern aesthetic, the soft white interior is warm and inviting. Renewed and engineered wood trim - imbued with metal flake between its layers - creates a sparkling effect to stylishly highlight this modern classic design.

The selection of Lincoln MKZs with Black Label execution includes:

• Indulgence with Chroma Couture exterior and Truffle interior
  
• Center Stage with Black Tie exterior and Jet Black with Foxfire Red accents interior
  
• Modern Heritage with Confidential White tri-coat exterior with Vianca interior
  

MKC Concept features Chroma Flame exterior with its Modern Heritage theme.

Material selection, meticulous execution and craftsmanship will elevate Lincoln Black Label vehicles. Lincoln Black Label materials experts examined options from the entire sphere of luxury offerings to create the Black Label palette.

“Because Lincoln Black Label is our highest offering of the expression of personal luxury, we took our materials selections personally as well,” said Lampinen. “We believe this personal touch and involvement will help separate Lincoln from other offerings.”

Specialty leathers: Carefully selected and engineered to deliver the softest feel with a premium appearance, the seats are made from Venetian leather. Custom-made for Lincoln Black Label, less than 1 percent of hides globally meet the requirements for becoming Venetian leather.

The instrument panel, center console and doors are leather-wrapped and stitched. Subtle Diamond-L and Linking-L perforation patterns specially designed for Black Label accent the seats and door trim.

Natural woods: Sought out globally and selected for maximum richness of color and grain, these woods for the instrument panel, door appliqués and steering wheel bezel complement the themes. The Ziricote wood used with Indulgence was selected because its natural beauty resonates without stains or dyes.

Alcantara^®: A long-recognized premium material associated with high design in a variety of industries, including interior design, consumer electronics and aviation, as well as automotive, Lincoln designers specifically selected it to wrap the headliners, visors and pillars and to trim the floor mats.

Clients interested in acquiring a Lincoln Black Label-equipped vehicle will find the shopping and selection process personal and enjoyable. Whether a client’s first point of contact is through the Lincoln website or at the dealership, Black Label experts will guide them through the process. Lincoln Black Label is intended to launch near the end of 2014.

“Lincoln Black Label will offer an experience for our clients that will engage them, not overwhelm them,” said Farley. “Lincoln Black Label is another important step in our brand’s reinvention to appeal to a whole new group of progressive luxury clients.”

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[balthazar]

Saying nothing about the packages themselves, the chosen names of 'Exclusive', 'Individual', and 'designo' are really pitiful. ESPECIALLY 'designo' (is it really lower-case?)
At least 'Black Label' sounds half like something luxurious (and half like a Canadian lager).

[Drew Dowdell]

make me think of Jonny Walker

[Robert Hall]

Saying nothing about the packages themselves, the chosen names of 'Exclusive', 'Individual', and 'designo' are really pitiful. ESPECIALLY 'designo' (is it really lower-case?)

At least 'Black Label' sounds half like something luxurious (and half like a Canadian lager).

'designo' is indeed lower case...http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/benz/design/designo

'Black Label' reminds me of Johnny Walker and the AMG Black Series subbrand. Has Cadillac done anything like this yet?

[balthazar]

They still sell this in the U.S. ?

[Robert Hall]

re: Carling Black Label in the US, according to Wikipedia:

In 1979, after several years of intense pressure from the larger American Brewers Miller and Anheuser-Busch, Carling-National was bought out by the Heileman Brewing Co. of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Carling and the Black Label brand are currently owned by the Molson Coors Brewing Company. In the United States, the Black Label brand is owned by the Pabst Brewing Company. Though no longer widely distributed in the U.S., Black Label remains the official beer of Beer Frisbee.^[4]

[G. David Felt]

Caddy had a Black Label CTS-V Coupe. Now this could be custom, but Doug's Northwest Cadillac has a couple of the black edition V coupes. They are hot. I am going to their Caddy Owner party tomorrow so will look to snap some pictures.

[bobo]

Sounds cheesy. Might as well bring back the Bill Blass, Givenchy, Pucci, and Cartier editions.

[Robert Hall]

Sounds cheesy. Might as well bring back the Bill Blass, Givenchy, Pucci, and Cartier editions.

Or contemporary clothing lines like Sean John, Fubu, Rockawear or G-Unit (the Navigator was once a hip-hop icon,they could have leveraged those brands there...)

[regfootball]

crown royal black label

[G. David Felt]

I doubt a black label edition will really do much for Lincoln at this stage. They need to bring the quality and style with individuality to the auto first.

[balthazar]

I do notice the MKZ out on the road- it's got some visual distinctiveness to it.

[G. David Felt]

I do notice the MKZ out on the road- it's got some visual distinctiveness to it.

To me they seem to just be another Jelly Bean blending in with the rest of the mid level luxury auto's.

[smk4565]

I do notice the MKZ out on the road- it's got some visual distinctiveness to it.

Distinctive, but ugly. The current Lincoln designs are awful, the Fusion looks way better.

This Black Label is pointless, I guess the marketing people want another pricey option package to throw on. Some fancy leather or paint can't save this car, and I doubt the materials are all that great anyway.

[balthazar]

You think the equus is acceptably styled but the MKZ is ugly/awful? I would not agree there.

Fusion looks good but it's not a 'luxury' look.

[Drew Dowdell]

I only really notice the MKZ from the rear. From the front, it is too generic.

[balthazar]

^ The rear is definitely noticeable, but the front is less generic than most of the other luxury sedans out there IMO. Don't mistake me; I'm no sudden Lincoln fan, but they finally moved the needle off 'zero' for the first time in decades for my eye. Lincoln is still seriously messed up, of course.