New York Auto Show: Lincoln Navigator Concept: Comments

[William Maley]

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Lincoln surprised everyone last year when it rolled the Continental concept on the eve of the New York Auto Show. They did it again last night with the introduction of the Navigator concept.

 

The big story with this concept is the large gullwing doors and a small flight of entry stairs - an interesting way to show up in style. Before you ask, the doors and stairs will not be on the production model. Lincoln president Kumar Galhotra said the doors were to show off the spacious cabin.

 

The cabin features seating for six across three rows with each seat coming with 30-way power adjustments. Up front is a flowing dashboard finished in teak and chrome, and features a floating screen for the infotainment system. There are also screens for the rear passengers to keep them entertained. The cargo area comes with a wardrobe management system.

 

Back outside, the Navigator concept's front end matches up with the Continental. There is a large rectangular grille with a lighted Lincoln emblem, wide air intakes, and sharp looking headlights. The back features a taillight that stretches across the tailgate and slim tailpipes.

 

Power comes from a 3.5L EcoBoost V6 with more than 400 horsepower. In terms of safety, the Navigator comes with a 360-degree camera, a pre-collision assist system with pedestrian detection, and a parking assistance system.

 

Lincoln says the production Navigator will debut sometime next year.

 

Source: Lincoln

 

 

Press Release is on Page 2

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A NEW NAVIGATOR CONCEPT IS MOST SPACIOUS, LUXURIOUS LINCOLN SUV YET,
BRINGING QUIET LUXURY TO MORE CUSTOMERS

 

Lincoln today reveals the all-new Navigator Concept, introducing quiet luxury to full-size SUVs and offering a glimpse at what comes next for the brand’s best-known nameplate.

 

"The all-new Navigator Concept reinforces our commitment to give every Lincoln client what we call quiet luxury – vehicles and experiences that are elegant, effortlessly powerful and serene," said Kumar Galhotra, president of Lincoln. "This kind of quiet luxury sets Lincoln apart. Now, we're showing fans of large SUVs how we can exceed their expectations, without being the loudest statement on the road."

 

Lincoln invented the large luxury SUV in 1997, and now is reimagining Navigator for modern clients interested in better performance, more space and further refinement.

 

Lincoln's design team drew inspiration from luxury sailboats and yachts when designing the new concept. This influenced everything from the clean, modern lines and Storm Blue paint on the exterior that mimics the grays and blues of sea and sky, to the teak finishes, custom gear and wardrobe management system found inside.

 

GO-ANYWHERE PERFORMANCE
The Navigator Concept is engineered to provide drivers peace of mind. It features a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine delivering more than 400 horsepower and smart new technologies to make this SUV even more sure-footed on different road surfaces and in changing weather conditions.

 

Drivers can choose several drive modes to improve ride and handling and to find the drive experience that best suits their mood – including steering, suspension and noise levels. Each mode is accompanied by a matching digital animation in the cluster.

 

PERSONAL SANCTUARY
Navigator Concept provides the nameplate’s most spacious interior ever – a key want among buyers of large SUVs – delivered with a refinement that leapfrogs competitors

 

The leather-wrapped interior is rendered in a light blue. Six Lincoln-patented Perfect Position Seats adjust 30 ways to best support occupants’ different body types. The driver’s seat, for instance, includes independent deployable thigh supports for maximum comfort.

 

A custom wardrobe management system holds gear chosen for a day on the water, while Lincoln’s Revel audio system has been specifically tuned to create the highest level sound and visual quality.

 

All of this is accessed through power gullwing doors and deployable concertina steps. A special lighting sequence welcomes passengers for every journey – a signature Lincoln feature.

 

EASIER, MORE CONNECTED DRIVING, THANKS TO NEW TECHNOLOGY
The Navigator Concept features Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, which uses radar and camera technology to scan the road ahead. If a collision risk with a vehicle or pedestrian is detected, the system provides a warning to the driver. If the driver does not respond in time, it automatically can apply up to full braking force to help reduce the severity of, or even eliminate, some frontal collisions.

 

Pre-Collision Assist can help drivers avoid rear end collisions with other vehicles at all speeds, while Pedestrian Detection can help the driver avoid pedestrians at lower speeds. Both systems can reduce the severity of forward collisions, or even prevent certain forward collisions.

 

A 360-degree camera and enhanced park assist features take the stress out of parking, exiting a parking spot and maneuvering. The system seamlessly integrates views from four cameras – creating an overhead image that allows drivers to see all around the vehicle.

 

On the road, a lane-keeping system vibrates the steering wheel to alert drivers they are straying from their lane and provides mild steering input to encourage them to steer back toward the center of the lane.

 

In the cabin, head restraint monitors provide passengers Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing them to wirelessly share music and content from personal devices.

 

For drivers, a large panel screen clearly displays key information. The display can be customized from a digital touch screen housed in the center stack.

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[ccap41]

I think it looks pretty dang sharp. A much-needed re-do in my opinion. I'm loving the all black windows -> back window with no body color in the middle. That cleans up the profile immensely. Looks great. 

[G. David Felt]

WOW That is actually pretty sharp and I would have to say Lincoln could REALLY snag sales if they KEPT the GUll Wing Doors and fancy steps and to quote SMK, put a REAL V8 Motor in this full size Brute of an SUV.

 

Only way this would have been even cooler is if they did a pure EV version with a 300 mile battery pack.

[Suaviloquent]

Some really nasty people on them internets. at other places.

 

I think it looks fine. Show cars are show cars. The hell is wrong with that? Some people - obviously morons we don't need here.

 

I like the interior quite a bit. if those are toggle-style gear switches that might be a huge improvement. Looks like they'll have a lot of space in this vehicle.

[Cmicasa the Great]

Looks nice. But then again I think the Range Rover is a nice looking SUV too. I would be surprised if I were the only person who made that comparison. The part that gives me pause is ultimately the one thing that makes this look like a Lincoln.. the grille. Its just weird and goofy looking on this size of a vehicle

[Drew Dowdell]

I like it.... that said, yay for bringing back steering wheel design from the 1960s.

[surreal1272]

I like it.... that said, yay for bringing back steering wheel design from the 1960s.

That steering wheel thing looks huge!

Edited March 23, 2016 by surreal1272

[surreal1272]

Not putting too much stock in to this because about 60-70% of this will never see production. Interesting concept but a concept nonetheless. The Conti nose does not work on this at all and the profile of it looks like a stretched Range Rover. Just not feeling the outside of this at all.

[regfootball]

YUK.  get rid of Lincoln

[El Kabong]

Looks nice. But then again I think the Range Rover is a nice looking SUV too. I would be surprised if I were the only person who made that comparison. The part that gives me pause is ultimately the one thing that makes this look like a Lincoln.. the grille. Its just weird and goofy looking on this size of a vehicle

You're not the only one saying it, by any means.

This is just a huge déjà vu for Lincoln at the New York show. Last year they debuted the Continental concept. It had whiz-bang autoshow stuff, they were initially coy about the underpinnings, it had derivitive styling, and as it made its way to production the skeptics began getting louder.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The Land Rover Navigator that may or may not be aluminum is slated to be built in Crazytown.

Edited March 23, 2016 by El Kabong

[ccap41]

You mean El Kabong began getting louder? Not everybody hates Lincoln quite like you do. 

 

 

Looks nice. But then again I think the Range Rover is a nice looking SUV too. I would be surprised if I were the only person who made that comparison. The part that gives me pause is ultimately the one thing that makes this look like a Lincoln.. the grille. Its just weird and goofy looking on this size of a vehicle

You're not the only one saying it, by any means.

This is just a huge déjà vu for Lincoln at the New York show. Last year they debuted the Continental concept. It had whiz-bang autoshow stuff, they were initially coy about the underpinnings, it had derivitive styling, and as it made its way to production El Kabong began getting louder.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The Land Rover Navigator that may or may not be aluminum is slated to be built in Crazytown.

 

 

Fixed. 

[Cmicasa the Great]

^^^@ccap

 

But what he is saying is kinda true. The ideas they come up with are rehashes of the same idea. Ironically Lincoln kinda created the luxo SUV segment and now they are denouncing it by saying that it needs to be understated.. less brash.. less ostentatious, because of the success of their.. "Big Sister Brand, Cadillac (created first by Leland). The larger problem is that they do so by copying a very ostentatious vehicle (RR) and slapping very brash gull-wing doors on the concept to get your attention. Similar thing happened last year with the Continental.. sans the doors, but certainly the theft of many aspects of Bentley styling. Admittedly not much of that "richness" made it to the production vehicle,.. and we are left with a husk.. filled with Ford bits. 

 

I don't think El K hates Lincoln. I kno I don't. I just hate the inability of so many of their mother-ship's fans to see that they are barely relevant, and continue to fail at bringing something that is not offered by said mother-ship (Ford) to the table that gives a luxury buyer a compelling reason to buy.  

 

Seriously ask me why I bought my CTS-V.  According to U.. Cadillac is a BMW clone. To me.. a person that digs deeper into the core.. past the superior driving dynamics, Cadillac brings to the table several things that BMW doesn't. Reliability. Attention getting looks. Heritage. American. They damn sure aren't just upgraded Chevys. Well.. with exception to the 'Slade. Lincoln??? I can literally get a better car at Acura, Buick/GMC, or even Ford (Titanium) or Chevy (LTZ) 

[Drew Dowdell]

[Intrepidation]

Ford's never been shy about aping styling cues from much more expensive vehicles (Ford Fusion anyone?). Still, I'd rather have a vehicle with a passing resemblance to a $100k Ranger Rover than a $40k Tahoe.

[oldshurst442]

Unlike Casa...I dont like Range Rovers.

 

With that being said, I dont think I like this Lincoln either.

To me, not only does it look like some sort of Range Rover, it also looks like a Ford Flex. I never really disliked the Flex, but I was never enamored with it either.

 

Like the gullwings...as a concept, but if I was a megastar rapper the next Justin Bieber, Id want those gullwings to stay.

 

HATE those steps...

Like WTF is THAT all about? The designers are running out of ideas to get attention so they looked at the entrance to their homes and said...yup...THAT is what a Lincoln SUV needs...steps to climb aboard our humble abode?

 

 

Maybe next car show...the steps could be in Pavi-Uni (interlocking paving stone I think) with fake foliage on the side...

 

The front end....its easy to see that this design language will only last the requisite 5 years and it will undoubtedly be changed again.

 

Why?

1. It does not translate well to this  SUV

2. I dont know about you folk, but this is only the 3rd time I have seen it on a vehicle (Continental, MKZ and this Navigator) and Im already bored to death with it.

I LOVE it on the Continental....but I think Lincoln has over saturated it...

 

I could see why many could like this and why it may sell well....

 

But like Casa said...Lincoln created this niche of full sized luxury SUVs...The Jeep Grand Wagoneer might beg to differ, but 'twas Lincoln that really made this niche resonate with the masses and the gangstas and the rappers and the gangsta rappers...its a shame that Lincoln has degraded this SUV to what it is now and in 2017/2018 or so... (Casa's commentary above my post is how I feel also about Lincoln and why I said what I just said about the Navigator.)

[El Kabong]

People who think I hate Lincoln, or Ford, are missing the bigger picture.

I hate half-assed efforts. Hence, I slagged Buick for not building the Avista (update: a certain GM fan website is now saying it may not be dead after all. Stay tuned).

This is a half-assed effort styling-wise, perhaps engineering-wise. It follows in the wake of a previous half-assed effort which was desperately hyped even as a rival automaker called them out publicly on the styling. Now it's being called out by Automobile's emeritus staffer (a stylist himself), and folks still get mad at me for pointing it out.

Whatever gets you through the night, I guess

Edited March 23, 2016 by El Kabong

[Drew Dowdell]

Overall I like the look.  I'm not sold on the pug nose grille yet. 

[Frisky Dingo]

A blatant Land Rover ripoff with another Continental nose job. Are you even trying, Lincoln?

[smk4565]

Looks ugly.  This thing looks bad from every angle.  It looks like an over sized Explorer with an over sized Continental grille and it's a total disaster.  The 3.5 liter ecoboost is fine, 400 hp is enough for a vehicle that no doubt has poor handling and shouldn't be going fast anyway.  It is almost like Lincoln is trying to prove Mullally right that they should have been killed off.

[Intrepidation]

Overall I like the look.  I'm not sold on the pug nose grille yet. 

 

It's too, bad, they were finally starting to apply the split grill in interesting ways. I don't hate the new one, but it's not especially distinctive.

[daves87rs]

Overall I like the look.  I'm not sold on the pug nose grille yet. 

 

 

Believe it or not, I like the nose. The rear, on the other hand...

[El Kabong]

And the initial feedback begins to trickle in: "After seeing the shortfall from Continental concept to production car, I’m not willing to bet the 'real' Navigator will wow us until it proves otherwise."

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/2016-new-york-auto-show-show-hits-misses-revelations/

Edited March 24, 2016 by El Kabong

[FAPTurbo]

OH SHI- GUYS WE NEED A CONCEPT. 

 

I KNOW. PEEPS LIKE DEM BRITISH RAENG ROVER SUVEES.

 

OH YEAH! LETS RIP OFF ANOTHER BRITISH AUTOMAKER'S DESIGN. THAT WORKED LAST TIME. AND THE TIME BEFORE THAT!

 

YAH! PEEPS TRIPPED HARDER FOR THE INCONTINENTAL THAN OUR SALES FIGURES. 

[cp-the-nerd]

The front looks like a bad caricature of futuristic design. I'm already not a fan of the new Lincoln grille, but this is--IMO--the worst execution yet. And then from the A-pillar back, it looks like some sort of next gen Ford Flex mixed with a QX56, which isn't necessarily a problem but I can't get past the face.

 

Lincoln briefly had a design language that I was excited about: the split wing of the MXZ, MKC, and MKX. The brand was really establishing something with visual character and originality. Now everything coming out has this derivative, awkward feel to it. I really hope the performance and engineering is there with these new cars.

[El Kabong]

It you're of a certain age, one look at the front of the Navigator will take you back to the first time you saw the teacher in the video Pink Floyd did for "Another Brick in the Wall."

[Suaviloquent]

The Escalade has a massive grille up front yet somehow that's a lovable feature.

 

I like the Escalade.

 

And I like this Navigator.

 

One of them has a reputation, and the other doesn't. Oh well.

 

As it was with the Continental - their key will be to deliver as much styling as possible from the concept.

 

One touch I would really hope does make it is actually the headrests of the seats. They remind me of those old luxury car interiors. It might as well be like the Esclade a brick with couch like seats. 

 

And I think gear buttons have finally been implemented nicely.

[Suaviloquent]

People who think I hate Lincoln, or Ford, are missing the bigger picture.

I hate half-assed efforts. Hence, I slagged Buick for not building the Avista (update: a certain GM fan website is now saying it may not be dead after all. Stay tuned).

This is a half-assed effort styling-wise, perhaps engineering-wise. It follows in the wake of a previous half-assed effort which was desperately hyped even as a rival automaker called them out publicly on the styling. Now it's being called out by Automobile's emeritus staffer (a stylist himself), and folks still get mad at me for pointing it out.

Whatever gets you through the night, I guess

 

Except that same writer isn't consistent.

 

I've read every single one of his commentaries.

 

The VOLVO S90... also has black cladding over its front pillars and you see the gap between the carrier rail of the roof and the front pillar. Many Mercedes have it the S-Class does. So many instances of ridiculousness.

 

The guy is joke, his reports are incredibly inconsistent and I would question his objectivity every time. 

 

But hey - a failed stylist makes for a great journalist. What do I know? Half-assed styling lead to a journalist job. And you know what they say about the press...

 

But - this Navigator has many cues that are on other vehicles. But it's a concept still. And as for the Continental. That's immaterial to this vehicle. Everyone knows this is going to be on the new platform that underpins the F150. It's going have aluminum body panels - it was already announced for the Expedition and the Navigator. 

 

Unless aluminum is somehow a requirement for being a luxury vehicle. Because the Escalade is porker itself. And the highest pedigree luxury vehicles are porkers too. All this lightweight stuff doesn't apply to dinosaurs. It does to sport sedans. But not dinosaurs. 

[El Kabong]

LOL@"a failed stylist makes for a great journalist."

Them's some sour grapes, man

[El Kabong]

You know, there is a difference in using styling elements, and using styling elements EFFECTIVELY.

Automobile called the Genesis New York concept the best of show, in large part because it took the elements the Navigator botched and used them effectively. Genesis, you may recall, is one of the new brands Lincoln is going to have to deal with as it finds itself.

And that process just got a WHOLE lot harder.

Edited March 25, 2016 by El Kabong

[El Kabong]

Ok, changing direction a bit... has anyone heard what the body panels on this thing are made of?

[Robert Hall]

Ok, changing direction a bit... has anyone heard what the body panels on this thing are made of?

Probably aluminum....who knows, the concept may be made of styrofoam or toilet paper.   But the production vehicle will probably be aluminium (isn't the Ford plan for all full size trucks and truck-based SUVs (Expedition, Navigator) to be mostly aluminum)? 

Edited March 27, 2016 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[furioustee]

The Lincoln Navigator has always been one of my dream cars.

[Drew Dowdell]

Navigator is going aluminum.

[FordCosworth]

Looks nice.

[FAPTurbo]

Navigator is going aluminum.

 

An easily recycled material! Just like every Navigator design thus far!

[Drew Dowdell]

 

Navigator is going aluminum.

 

An easily recycled material! Just like every Navigator design thus far!

 

 

I wonder if switching to Aluminum will allow them to drop down to the steel-body Escalade in weight.

 

[ccap41]

Wow that's a big difference to start from. 

[FordCosworth]

 

[Drew Dowdell]

I do love those wheels though...

[Robert Hall]

It's a clean design and wears the new Lincoln face well, IMO. I assume the production model will look similar but with real doors.

[ccap41]

Sadly, I bet those wheels are gone as well...