New York, NY – Remember the Lincoln Aviator? Probably not. Only offered for a few years between 2003 to 2005, it was the shortest production run vehicle in the company’s history.
But that was ages ago and now it’s back for 2019 with a bold yet elegant look, new technology, and a Lincoln first offering a plug-in hybrid with a twin-turbo engine.
We got a chance to get up close and personal with this pre-production/accurate prototype model ahead of its official world debut at the 2018 New York International Auto Show.
Good-bye MKT. Hello Aviator
Lincoln plans to release two new SUVs by 2020 with this new Aviator leading the charge. Considering the mid-size SUV makes up a quarter sales in the segment (and the outgoing, not-so-beautiful MKT mid-sizer just didn’t cut it with new buyers) it’s about time the luxury brand introduced a well-designed, contemporary three-row SUV to the mix.
pic: Amee Reehal
Nestled between the full-size Navigator and smaller MKX (transitioning to the Nautilus next year) and stylish little MKC, the 2019 Aviator will fill the gap with what we suspect will be a top-seller for the company.
What’s driving Lincoln’s utility vehicle growth are the Milleninals, according to the company’s new President, Joy Falotico. These buyers (and we’re not just talking iPhone wielding hipsters here but young families) will make up the majority of the new Navigator’s sales, hence, will naturally will gravitate towards the new three-row Aviator, stating, “the Lincoln Navigator continues to turn heads and bring new clients to the brand. We believe Aviator’s elegant design, state-of-the-art technology and refined plug-in hybrid option will draw even more clients to the Lincoln showroom, including families who are looking for three-row capability.”
…pairing a hybrid with the twin-turbo is designed to offer shoppers options with a combination of power and electrified capability helping the Aviator deliver Lincoln’s quietest, smoothest, most powerful drive yet, according to the company.
2019 Aviator Release Date
We pushed for an official release date but there’s no confirmed date just yet. But it’s safe to say it’ll be sometime mid to late next year we’ll see a 2019 model hit showroom floors.
(Once official pricing and release date are set, we’ll have it up).
And while this Aviator we got up close to isn’t a full-fledged production model, it’s not a glossy concept either. So what you see here is likely what you’ll get. Maybe some interior tweaks and adjustments, according to the Lincoln designers, but expect the exterior design to look as is.
New Lincoln SUV’s Main Features
Power: Plug-in hybrid powertrain paired to a twin-turbo engine
Aside from being a Lincoln-first, pairing a hybrid with the twin-turbo is designed to offer shoppers options with a combination of power and electrified capability helping the Aviator deliver Lincoln’s quietest, smoothest, most powerful drive yet, according to the company.
Built on a rear-wheel drive platform (and likely an all-wheel drive only platform in Canada, Lincoln tells us), the Aviator will offer Drive Modes similar to the new Navigator. We suspect the 10-speed transmission currently in the Navigator will be in the mix.
New tech: use your smartphone as a key fob
Appropriately called Phone as a Key technology, that’s right, you’ll be able to use your smartphone as a proper key fob when the new feature rolls out in the new Aviators next year.
Activated through the Lincoln Way app, it allows owners to lock and unlock, open the trunk and, most importantly, start and drive the vehicle. And if your phone battery dies? A backup passcode can be entered on the standard exterior keypad to gain access, then use the centre touch screen to get the Aviator up and running to hit the road.
Other new technologies include SYNC with the latest features, Lincoln Co-Pilot360 with an advanced suite of standard driver-assist technologies (blind spot monitoring, lane keeping system, etc.), and a 12-inch standard cluster display driver front and centre.
Viewed from the side, it appears to be literally leaning back with that sloping roofline. And Lincoln Designers didn’t add a bunch of gaudy chrome chunks.
Exterior Design: Clean Lines with Bold Look
The new Aviator’s leaned back profile and falling fast roofline is what will set it apart in the sea of SUVs – up close, this is a good looking machine.
Viewed from the side, it appears to be literally leaning back with that sloping roofline. And Lincoln designers didn’t add a bunch of gaudy chrome chunks. Overall, it just looks clean, elegant, yet bold. The simple, streamlined rear design with the long, horizontal taillights help drive this point home.
Following the company’s new design language with the Continental sedan and Navigator, the new Aviator is next up.
As David Woodhouse, Lincoln Design Director, puts it, “the lines of the vehicle are streamlined…you have the stature and presence of the grille at the front, then the body and tail taper off – creating a distinct aerofoil analogy.”
Again, this Aviator is a prototype but expect the real deal to look virtually the same when it arrives next year.
Ford is issuing a recall that impacts approximately 88,000 of their vehicles in North America. These vehicles include the Flex, Taurus, the Police Interceptor sedans, and also Lincoln’s MKS and MKT all produced between 2013-2015. The issue has been identified as a faulty fuel pump control module which could result in the vehicle not starting, or worse, stalling during operation.
At this point, no accidents have been linked to the recall. If you do own one of these vehicles, contact your local dealership for more information about the recall. The dealership will inspect the vehicle and replace the fuel pump control module at no cost to vehicle owners.
Ford has issued a recall on their 2016 Explorer (build date between October 20, 2014 to January 28, 2016) and their 2015-2016 Lincoln MKC (build date between November 25, 2013, and January 25, 2016). The recall currently impacts 5,536 vehicles of which 3,993 are in Canada.
Ford has identified the problem which results from a specific engine block and block heater design. When the heater is plugged in, they overheat and may possibly cause a fire. So far two under hood fires have been linked to this recall.
Owners will be notified around May 16. However, it is encouraged that owners contact their local dealers for additional information.
Spy photographers snooping around the Ford Motor Co.’s test facilities in Dearborn, Mich, feasted their eyes on the new 2017 Lincoln Continental wearing its camo gear. Judging by it’s proportions, much of the vehicle’s design will keep to the concept version that was showcased at the New York Auto Show.
It seems Ford isn’t holding back on dressing this sedan up with an abundance of luxury items either. Similar to the concept car, the headlights will feature 5 chrome rings which are illuminated by LEDs. The tail lights will get a similar LED treatment as well. Generally, there isn’t going to be a lack of chrome detailing on the exterior of this car as well.
Power will be sent to all four wheels by Ford’s 3.0L twin-turbo motor which is based on the F-150’s 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6. By the time the Lincoln is in production, Ford most likely will have completed development on their nine and ten speed automatic transmissions which we wouldn’t be surprised if it made its way into the production Lincoln.
The Lincoln Motor Company has revealed a new concept vehicle that brings back the Continental name to its lineup. I’ve been a big fan of all the recent vehicles from Lincoln (yeah, even if they’re just restyled and rebranded Ford models) and this Continental Concept is no exception. I’m glad it has an actual name though as I am starting to lose track of all the MKx models. It appears that the new flagship of the Lincoln Motor Company will not just be borrowed from the Ford lineup as this is an all-new design built from the ground up. It will even get an exclusive 3.0L EcoBoost engine. As with all concepts vehicles, it is laden with stuff that will more than likely be ditched when the production version rolls out. The good news is that we won’t have to wait too long as Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company president and CEO announced we’ll see the production version next year.
The Continental Concept sports some really clean sleek lines, especially for a concept. Out front is a chrome grille sporting the four point Lincoln logo flanked by a grid of repeating mini Lincoln emblems. The headlights are reminiscent of the LED matrix “jewel-eye” headlights from Acura but also feature a laser powered high beam option, but it’s not clear if they’ll make it to the production version. Going down the side, the Continental Concept keeps it pretty simple with just a simple fender emblem emblazoned with the Continental name. The concept features hidden electronic door handles that are flush with the top of the door until the key is detected in proximity. A simple touch of the underside of the handle and the doors pop open effortlessly. At night, the vehicle lights up both the exterior and interior to guide the way inviting you inside. Around back the signature full-width LED taillights look especially slick, shining through the chrome taillight surrounds. Lincoln calls it the “light-through-chrome” technology, fitting I guess.
“Luxury at its best is about simplifying and quietly exceeding expectations, rather than being the loudest statement on the road,” said Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company president and CEO. “The Concept showcases the promise of quiet luxury from Lincoln going forward. It also is a strong indication of what’s to come next year as we introduce our new Lincoln Continental full-size luxury sedan.”
Moving inside the Continental Concept doesn’t disappoint if you’re looking for luxury features. Patented 30-way seats adorn the interior and the front passenger seat even features a lie flat position at the touch of a button. The seats are wrapped in Venetian leather, as are the door panels. The headliner is wrapped in satin, and the carpets are made of shearling wool. Soft-gold LED lights glow from the center console and from the halo light overhead. One really cool feature is the sunroof that can be tinted with a touch of a button, allowing the interior to cool by as much as 18F in direct sunlight.
We’ve added even more pictures in our gallery, so check it out!
This is the second model that the reborn Lincoln Motor Company has launched incorporating the automaker’s latest design language. While the split grill was borderline ugly on the sedan it looks great on the MKC crossover concept seen here. The MKC concept rides on the same platform as the Ford Escape and features a striking panoramic roof bathing the interior with light. A pair of aluminum trim pieces accent the large glass roof.
While the MKC is labelled a concept it does look pretty much production ready say for a few missing things like door handles, properly sized mirrors and I also don’t remember seeing a gas cap. On the interior, it almost feels like a roofless crossover with so much glass up above. The only thing that reminds you there is a roof is the odd pair of aluminum rails that ran along the center of the panoramic roof which housed a few interior led lights.
I could see this model being a hot seller for Lincoln, which they could really use. They were one of the few automakers that saw declining sales volumes for 2012 which is quite serious as it was one of the most successful years for pretty much every automaker. If the launch of the MKC Concept Crossover was any indication, its clear that the Lincoln Motor Company is investing heavily into its future and is ready to put on a strong effort to climb its way back up. Their booth was beautiful and the unveiling was fantastically executed. Bravo!
Tucked away in a relatively small area behind Ford was a large white catwalk, flanked by rows of white chairs, with soft purple lighting overhead. It felt like a small, posh winter wonderland and it belonged to Lincoln. From the flawless live band to the guys in their socks wiping down the catwalk, the attention to detail was fantastic. The area wasn’t large and intimidating like Jeep, it was more intimate and inviting. It was the perfect setting for Lincoln to unveil the latest member of its modern lineup. Coming off the critical success of the new MKZ, Lincoln wants to ride that wave into the expanding small SUV segment and revealed the MKC Concept today at the NAIAS in Detroit.
Despite the two models on point, all eyes were on the MKC as it crawled along the catwalk. The only word I can use to describe it is gorgeous. I was genuinely speechless at how beautiful the MKC is, though I quickly became depressed knowing that what I was looking at was a concept and likely different from what the production model would look like.
