Lincoln’s best-selling vehicle gets significant upgrades for 2023, including hands-free passing for Lincoln’s ActiveGlide hands-free highway driving assistant.
The compact Corsair SUV also adds a big new touch screen and the latest version of Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system, which includes the ability to receive repairs and new features through over-the-air software updates.
Lincoln’s claims for the system include improved lane positioning, a feature with room for improvement when I tested the system extensively in the big Lincoln Navigator SUV earlier this year.
The Corsair is the least-expensive Lincoln to offer ActiveGlide so far. Prices are expected to start at $39,885, including destination charge, when it goes on sale in early 2023. ActiveGlide will probably be offered only on top-of-the-line Corsairs costing more than $50,000, though.
Expect ActiveGlide to be added to Lincoln’s remaining vehicles — the Nautilus and Aviator SUVs — when they get upgrades that include OTA update capability.
Ford’s version of the system is called BlueCruise. It’s currently available on the F-150, F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E.
Adding features to hands-free driving
ActiveGlide and BlueCruise handle steering and speed on more than 130,000 miles of limited access highways in the United States and Canada. It’s functional at up to 80 mph. The systems compete with GM’s SuperCruise feature, which operates at higher speeds and has more features, including passing with no intervention at all by the driver.
More: Lincoln is selling more vehicles in China that the US. Here’s why.
Details on ActiveGlide features debuting on the Corsair:
- Lane change assist: The driver taps the turn stalk, but the system will suggest passing if it’s behind a slower vehicle.
- Predictive speed assist: Automatically slows the vehicle when a sharp curve is ahead.
- In-lane repositioning: Keeps the vehicle centered, but subtly shifts it away from vehicles in the next lane to make occupants comfortable.
The Corsair also has sensors to detect and intervene in likely collisions when turning at intersections. Its blind-spot alert system adds the ability to jiggle the steering wheel to warn the driver of potential accidents.
Big screen, new colors
Other changes to the Corsair include a 13.2-inch touch screen for navigation and audio and two new interior color and material themes.
Amazon’s Alexa digital assistant will also be available.
Visual changes include a new grille and daytime running lights. New exterior colors include Crystal Red and Whisper Blue.
The new interior packages feature either:
- Smoked truffle, a neutral palette intended to evoke a secure and familiar environment.
- Eternal red, a “deep, rich” color available with aluminum accents.
Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.