A New Nassau
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Pirates of yore loved their drink, loved their ship and loved plundering booty. Thanks to some early appreciators like Sir-Mix-A-Lot, the only major difference is the switch from nautical sojourns to asphalt-based adventures. We tend not to get scurvy either. But whether through the consequences of modern capitalism, a callipygian enthusiasm, or you just happen to be a naughty little swashbuckler downloading media illicitly, many of us have had our own little brush with piracy. So is a vehicle named after our distant soulmates the right fit for today's privateer?
Corsair is a great name. Lincoln is, in our opinion, killing it with their naming conventions. Continental (RIP), Navigator, Corsair, Aviator, Nautilus. This is good stuff. There’s more charm and personality oozing from these names than a pirate with dysentery. But if we were to judge a book by its cover, it doesn’t really look quite as intrepid as its name suggests. The Corsair looks decent enough, but in a sea of regular traffic, it’s no man-o-war. But hey – sometimes being covert is key. But that said, the optional ceramic pearl paint on our tester, with blacked out A, B, C and D pillars is a pretty sleek styling choice – along with the blue accents on the badges.
The conservative exterior may not be as invigorating, but you’ll find no bilge-rats in this elegant interior. We love the modernized takes on old-school design in here. Our tester’s two-tone black and grey interior is as slick as a tailored suit – further driven home by the pinstripes adorning the top of the dashboard. Other interior colour schemes swap the aluminum accent for a wooden accent – classy enough in its own right – but the modernity of this particular Corsair really flows nicely with this particular finish. The gear selector is even intended to be reminiscent of the keys of a piano! As well – buttons! Tactile ways to enable or disable common functions are always a welcome sight – and though they won’t look as sleek as hiding them in a touchscreen – Lincoln has made them look quite presentable in the Corsair.
Nothing is ever perfect mind you. While you won’t feel like you’re in a cheap cabin, it takes only a few close looks to see where costs were managed. From piano black trim to some cheap feeling plastic appliques, there are some areas where the premium styling is less apparent. But we found ourselves far too comfortable to let this detract from what is really quite a lovely place to be – especially with our tester’s 24-way adjustable ‘Perfect Position’ seats. It may take a moment to get everything just so – but it's time well spent. The leathery embrace of these seats makes lengthy road trips, stop and go traffic and pothole-laden city streets a far more relaxing affair – especially when you turn on the massage option. The Perfect Position seats are a modestly priced option at $1,500 – and when it’s the place you’ll spend the most time, ticking this box is a no-brainer to us.
Many vehicles try to toe the lines of multiple driving styles. You see it far too often. Luxury and economy cars with sport modes, 500hp+ beasts with a comfort setting, crossovers with off-road modes, and so forth. The Corsair is no exception, with a ‘sportier’ driving mode dubbed Excite, and a few focused on inclement weather. But we recommend eschewing Excite and enjoying what this car does best – comfort. The only driving modes we need to highlight are the party piece of this particular unit – the Preserve EV and Pure EV modes. Oh yeah, did we mention, this is a Plug-in-Hybrid. Even the terrors of the sea can be environmentally conscious.
The Corsair drives smoothly enough – but with enough charge – you can enjoy that smoothness with the sci-fi hum of an electric motor too. It’s really quite a pleasant experience. Our tester is rated for an idealized 45km of all-electric range. Depending on how you drive, and the amount of creature comforts you choose to enjoy, that number can quickly dwindle. But it’s absolutely perfect for short city jaunts, stop and go traffic, or even short commutes.
Canada is trying very hard to push more drivers to go hybrid or EV – and while it’s as 'noble' a goal as Nassau, our vast landscape lacks the infrastructure to make this practically feasible for some prospective buyers. But despite this being a Plug-In, you can swap over to the Preserve EV mode to regain some charge. Alternatively, if you’ve got some ample juice and want to save it for a better occasion, this mode will prioritize fossil juice. Like any good wine and its fine cheese compatriot, these comfy and plush driving modes can be had with a slew of safety features to keep you as intact as you are untroubled. From adaptive cruise, to park assist, a 360-degree camera and steering support, you’ve got quite the high-tech velvet-lined safety net.
The Corsair is the cheapest option in Lincoln’s lineup – and though some interior panels reflect that – it’s really quite a premium feeling vehicle. However, its ‘frugal’ relegation is quickly eliminated in this Grand Touring PHEV trim. Our tester clocked in at just over $70,000, plus another $2,195 for delivery. Like many other EV’s and hybrids, the Corsair PHEV is a fantastic driver with a price that may just be a little too out of reach. Lincoln has committed to an electrified lineup by the end of the decade – and the powers that be in Canada and around the world are continuing to urge buyers to go ‘green.’ But for many of us to even realistically consider making the switch – something’s got to give. Although some government incentives still exist, it’s still looking like stormy seas ahead for the time being. But at least the Corsair can help you navigate it all in style and comfort. If you can afford passage, that is.
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