After waiting for over a decade, Lincoln fans finally have a legitimate successor to the famed Continental sedan. This flagship concept is crucial to Lincoln’s survival and was quietly revealed yesterday at the New York Auto Show.

With the usual fanfare and breathless marketing biz-blab like, “effortlessly powerful” with “quiet luxury,” here is the much needed replacement for the Panther based Town Car last seen in 2011 and the FWD Continental of 2002. For Ford performance fans, the idea of a new RWD platform is fantastic news as well.

Sadly, without knowing this was a Lincoln, it is absolutely indistinguishable from any other luxury car currently on the road today. The simple addition of an updated 1975 Mark IV radiator grille would have been the icing on the cake for this car and would say “Lincoln” from 100 yards. An easy, out of the ballpark touch that would have pro-ball players, oil sheiks, and plain old Americans chomping at the bit. Ford Execs admit that this car was designed primarily for the Chinese market and maybe they didn’t want to lay some undiluted Motown bling on ’em.

Obviously Lincoln’s new management, gleaned from Ford’s global HR department, know little of Lincoln’s heritage or this front end styling would not have missed the “Mark” (pun intended) so badly. Why we need to bring in an Aussie or a Brit to tell Americans what a Lincoln is, is puzzling to say the least. A classic example of execs with MBAs in business but little “gasoline in the veins.” Where are the Chip Fooses or Steve Sanfords when we need them?

Don’t get us wrong we’re thrilled about the return of a full size Connie. The 3.0 EcoBoost V-6 in the concept is no Hot Rod Lincoln, but that can be fixed easily enough by pilfering the Mustang parts bin. The good news is that the styling could be shored up and maybe this platform could spawn a LTD/Galaxy model for mere mortals. Ford says something like this concept will see production in 2016 and will top $100K. We can just see it now: the ultimate sleeper sneaking up on unsuspecting victims at the 1320 – and you never saw it coming.