The Return of the Lincoln Aviator
NEW YORK CITY – Unveiled at the New York Auto Show, the new midsize Lincoln Aviator will be positioned between the big Navigator and the Nautilus—the latter will soon replace the MKX. With its three rows of seats that will accommodate up to seven passengers, the Aviator targets millennials and their families.
The SUV presented in New York is only a “preview” of a production model that will go on sale next year, according to the brand. From a styling standpoint, it looks pretty good. Lincoln stated that the vehicle’s design was inspired by aeronautics, boasting a Flight Blue paint job as well as a front grille with dark gloss and chrome trim. On the other hand, the show vehicle’s huge 22-inch wheels might not make it on the production Aviator when it goes on sale sometime in 2019.
“In Aviator, the lines of the vehicle are streamlined,” says Lincoln Design Director David Woodhouse. “You have the stature and presence of the grille at the front, then the body and tail taper off – creating a distinct aerofoil analogy.”
The Aviator will feature a twin-turbocharged engine whose technical details haven’t yet been announced. However, a plug-in hybrid system should be offered on option, a Lincoln first and a foretaste of what we’ll find under the hood of the brand’s future products.
The Lincoln Aviator’s cockpit includes Perfect Position seats that are 30-way adjustable and integrate a massage function, just like the seats found in the Lincoln Continental sedan. We will also be able to equip the SUV with wireless cellular phone charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot and a front camera that scans the road ahead and calibrates the suspension in accordance with the surface conditions coming up. The recently introduced, semi-autonomous system called Co-Pilot360 will also be available in the Aviator. In addition, the owner will be able to unlock and even start the vehicle with an app installed on his or her portable phone.
According to Lincoln, the luxury midsize SUV market drew in more than 585,000 buyers in the United States in 2017. It thus believes that the Aviator will attract new buyers to the brand. The production version of the new SUV should be unveiled before the end of the year.