The Continental makes a distinctive design statement. Massive Lincoln tail lamps sweep around into the rear quarter panels. Front fenders, hood and decklid are made of a sheet-molding compound that is more resistant to dents and dings. This material allows Lincoln to revise the styling more often to keep the Continental in step with evolving aesthetic trends. A minor redesign in 1998 reduced the amount of front overhang - the distance between the front bumper and the front wheels. Headlamps and turn signals were redesigned also with a single, thinner lens and the grille was enlarged. Overall, the Continental looks rounder than before.The door handles are a dated design, however, and can pinch your pinky if you're not careful. The Continental also comes with Ford's keypad for unlocking the car without a key; many longtime Ford buyers like these things, but they detract from the appearance of the car. The trunk boasts nearly 19 cubic feet of cargo capacity. The trunk lid raises high and out of the way, while a low lift-over height makes loading and unloading a lot easier. Raising the hood reveals an attractive engine compartment filled by a 4.6-liter V8. Washer fluid, oil filler and other necessaries are out in the open and the cooling system is maintenance free.
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