Recently, Chinese media reported that Ford’s luxurious brand will launch Corsair’s midlife facelift in the first half of 2023. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant would follow in the year’s second half, and all ongoing Lincoln models released in China will have a PHEV version.
Lincoln currently produces four models in China – a sedan called Z (previously Zephyr) and three SUVs – Aviator, Corsair, and Nautilus.
Made in China (MIT) Lincoln Corsair midlife facelift – rear. Credit: MIIT
In late 2022 a few images of the made-in-China Corsair 2023 were revealed by the Chinese regulator at the Ministry of Information (MIIT). MIIT must approve all cars released on the Chinese market, and the regulator publishes the list of cars ready for approval each month. Automakers don’t like it as it reveals their secrets before public debut, but we don’t mind.
The MIIT revealed that Lincoln prepared some updates for the upcoming year Corsair. The new car has a more prominent front grille with a unique dot-matrix design and LED daytime running lights stretching across the front. The headlights are connected on both sides, giving the car a more angular appearance, and the openings on either side of the vehicle give it a sportier look. Additionally, the car has hidden A, B, C, and D pillars that create an illusion of a floating roof, giving the China-made Corsair a sleek look from the side.
According to a report by Sohu, the facelifted model will be launched on the Chinese car market in the first half of the year.
Source – courtesy of caranddriver.com
Left – MIT Lincoln Corsair, Right – US-made Corsair 2023
The size is 4612/1887/1630mm (length, width, height), and the wheelbase is 2711mm. In inches, it is 181.57″/74.29″/64.17″ respectively and the wheelbase is 106.73″. The car is powered by a 2.0T turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a maximum power of 261 HP and a top speed of 220 km/h.
Lincoln made its first foray into China’s auto market in 2014, well behind its luxury rivals. Despite being a latecomer to the world’s largest vehicle market, Lincoln has made China a vital component of its growth strategy. In 2021 they sold more vehicles in China than in the U.S. for the first time.
Source – courtesy of caranddriver.com
Left: MIT Lincoln Corsair, Right: US-made Corsair 2023
In 2021 Lincoln sold over 91,000 vehicles in China, which marks a 48% increase from the previous year. In contrast, Lincoln’s U.S. sales fell 18% in 2021, reaching 86,929, the lowest annual sales figure since 2013.
In the US in 2021, Lincoln sold around 27,000 units of Corsair. However, they sold over 45,000 Corsairs in China in 2021, which might explain why the Chinese version has undergone more extensive revisions.
In 2022 Lincoln sold 74,879 cars in China. Half of the sales were made by Corsair, which sold 37,085 units, and Nautilus was second with 17,169 units, and the third was the Lincoln Z sedan with 11,369 units.
Interestingly, almost all sold cars were ICE, as PHEV. The Corsaie PHEV sold only 1250 units, which is unusual for the Chinese market, where PHEV and EV penetration is about 25%.
The luxury brand under Ford Motor plans to open 30 experiences stores in China this year.
Editor’s comment
Will we see the midlife facelift of Corsair in the US also, or will it stay in China only? It will likely be the latter, but we will find out the answer at Shanghai Auto Show in April.
Keyword: Lincoln Corsair midlife facelift to be launched in the first half of 2023 in China