LOS ANGELES – A press release full of flying puns heralded the new 2020 Lincoln Aviator.
Tech is the key with this SUV – literally. One available feature is the ability to use your smartphone to unlock the doors and start the engine. Yes, that’s a very 2018 type of thing for an OEM to do.
Another 2018 thing to do is to offer a hybrid trim as a performance variant – and Lincoln is doing that with the Aviator Grand Touring trim, which pairs an electric motor with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6.
Lincoln doesn’t mince words – it says the midsize luxury SUV is the highest volume segment in the U.S. and the third-highest volume in China. Naturally, the brand needs a three-row SUV in this class.
All-wheel drive is available, and that twin-turbo V6 also finds a home in non-hybrid models, promising an output of 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The plug-in hybrid is expected to make 450 hp and 600 lb-ft.
You’ll get a 10-speed automatic transmission with this gas engine, plus five drive modes. The hybrid offers two additional drive modes to allow drivers to best manage their electrical assist, though Lincoln doesn’t say what kind of all-electric driving range one might expect in “Pure EV” mode.
Inside, the instrument cluster has a LCD screen that spans 12.3 inches.
The smartphone as key tech has a keypad backup (inside and out) in case of dead batteries, and the app can be deleted if your phone falls into the wrong hands. We’re skeptical about this tech, but who knows – it could be the wave of the future.
Lincoln has taught the Aviator some suspension tricks. It lowers itself to let you into the vehicle, and available Adaptive Suspension with Road Preview uses a camera to scan the road for potholes and crappy surfaces and adjust damping accordingly.
Other on-board tech includes driver-assist features such as a traffic-jam assist system and a system that helps you steer around a collision. Additional available features include wireless cell phone charging and in-car Wi-Fi hotspot.
The second-row seats recline and that phone app can also activate the power liftgate. A premium audio system is available. Black Label features and materials are available, with several versions to choose from, including Flight, Destination, and Chalet.
[Images © 2018 Tim Healey/TTAC, Lincoln]
Is this car actually being shown at L.A., or is Ford just handing out pictures?
I’ve read it will be unveiled today in LA, so hopefully real pics later today
Being revealed/shown here, but I wasn’t at the event to snap pics.
Well, someone will have pics
“Lincoln will unveil the Aviator at the Los Angeles auto show Wednesday.”
-Detroit Free Press
https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/mark-phelan/2018/11/28/lincoln-aviator-2020-price-release-date/2122920002/
American Range Rover, I like it (except for that huge console). Lincoln’s been on a roll with interiors as of late it seems. It doesn’t have the RR’s offroad bragging rights, I suppose that doesn’t really matter practically speaking. Although the heritage/image factor of wheeling around a muddy field to go fox hunting is perhaps non trivial to some shoppers in this space.
“American Range Rover”
That’s a good way to describe it and the main reason I like the way it looks
This is a great looking vehicle inside and out. Nicely differentiated from the 2020 Explorer seen in photos earlier. FoMoCo is going to sell a lot of these – good for the Lincoln brand.
Precisely!
I just sent a text to my father telling him that I found his next vehicle.
Looks good, not too different from the “concept”. I’m genuinely surprised the base motor is a 3.0TT with 400 HP. I would’ve just assumed they would have stuck a small turbo 4 in for a base like everyone else. With the success of the new Navigator, I think this will do well for Lincoln.
True, but it would have been nice to have the 5.0 V8 as an option in this vehicle. Our household has both an ecoboost and a coyote. The Coyote would have gone a long way to put this SUV at the top of its class. Ford is being penny wise and pound foolish.
I agree that the option of a V8 would be nice however the days of a V8 in a midsize are long gone, heck they don’t even put it in the Navigator who’s chassis and engine compartment are desgined for it since it is shared with the F150. I’d like to see a smaller V8 say around 4L and maybe they could go ahead and throw a couple of turbos at it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the 5.0 becomes unavailable in the F-150 as well. Customers have voted with their wallets, and the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 has a far higher take rate, especially since it’s a modest price increase from the 5.0.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the 5.0 becomes unavailable in the F-150 as well.”
I would. Owning both, the 5.0 is the more durable engine. Fewer warranty claims on the 5.0 as well.
I can’t see it going away anytime soon, at least in the fleet grade models. I know all the gov’t F150s around here have the 5.0.
Those of us who buy our cars and keep them would disagree. I’m guessing a turbo isn’t a big deal if you are focused on the monthly payment and swap it every 36 months. If you buy it and keep it for 250k miles, the twin turbo is the last d@mn thing you want. It’s a good looking ride, it needs a naturally aspirated option.
“I’d like to see a smaller V8 say around 4L and maybe they could go ahead and throw a couple of turbos at it.”
Displacement is not equivalent to packaging size. The 4.6 liter Ford looks like a monster compared to the 5.7 SBC despite being 1.1 liters less in displacement. A twin turbo 4.0 V8 will take up more space than a naturally aspirated Coyote.
This decision is all about beancounters squeezing every last dime out of the damned ecoboost.
400hp from the base motor does seem like overkill. The 2.7TT with 325hp would have been enough to start with.
IN the F150, the 2.7 is a much, much less dull engine than the 3.5.
Gotta love how technology Jeep had years and years ago is now being touted as something unique by the near luxury Lincoln.
Really unlocking your vehicle from a cellphone? That’s nothing new at all.
I mean I know you have secretly liked the Aviator since the concept despite your whole anti-FoMoCo shtick, but the mere fact that the only thing you are picking at is language in a company press release of all things just confirms it.
Huh?
It’s not anti Ford to talk about things other manufacturers have been doing for many years. Like lowering the suspension when parked. Again Jeep the fancy Fords to that years ago.
I don’t mind the Lincoln Explorer. The side profile is generic but inoffensive. The front end though is terrible much like the Explorer.
It’s just not this big game changer that it’s being made out to be. They did nothing to innovate or make it stand out. It’s yet another SUV in a sea of SUVs
I can confirm whynot; I do have a memory of you being unable to hide your love for the Aviator in the article it was announced.
EBFlex, when most you say are anti-Ford, people react.
In this case, I’ll say that although I’m not a Chrylser fan, I like to give them credit where it’s due. They’ve often been ahead of the curve with tech. They had wifi in their cars, before most people had it in their homes. They had cylinder deactivation in 60’s. The list goes on.
This needs to be on dealer lots like yesterday.
Is this the one with the longitudinal powertrain that they promised, or is this built on the existing Explorer architecture?
This is on the new RWD platform that the upcoming Explorer (I’m guessing Detroit reveal in January) will be on as well.
This is the new RWD unibody platform with the engine and transmission arranged as god intended.
Preach it, Brother Scoutdude!
You can’t call this dino-burner a “high tech” vehicle as long as Tesla is still making cars.
You need to go compare the technological sophistication of a modern ICE driverain, compared to a simple electric motor hooked up to a battery…..
GORGEOUS! I’ve never owned a Ford in my life, but this could convert me. What kind of tow capacity is it likely to have? If it is at least 3500 lbs I can’t think of anything else to complain about. So nice….
It better keep up with at least a 4Runner. Really a Tacoma.
I think this thing is gorgeous, I’d buy this over anything else in it’s class…if I had the funds to shop this class.
Color me impressed. I feel like FoMoCo pulled out all the stops here. This is the vehicle they needed to be making. It’s got ample design presence, power, technology, and space. Kudos for making a new RWD-based platform, too. I’d buy it.
I will, however, say that the gray interior version looks a bit depressing. Give me one of the richer color combinations from the Black Label collection.
This SUV does look very nice. I think I might like it. But what about this:
“…midsize luxury SUV is the highest volume segment in the U.S.”?
Could this possibly be true? If so, what vehicles are included in this list?
I assume he meant highest volume luxury segment. But this would exclude pickups, which are the real highest volume luxury segment.
Its very nice. Nothing wrong with it.
That’s not enough. Its a Lincoln. Avg Transactional Price is likely about what $57k? Plus or minus a few K?
There are far too many people in the US (myself included) that can’t fathom calling my best friend on the phone and inviting him to come look at my new $57k Lincoln. I’m not saying its right, I’m just saying it is.
Exactly. They need some stunning design to hide the embarrassment of owning a Lincoln. The default option is the Germans, and you need a compelling reason to risk buying anything else. Ford should have kept jaguar and Land Rover – they would be much more successful trying to sell vehicles with those names on them.
Maybe some snark intended, but is the only reason you wouldn’t consider the Aviator is due to the badge? If you look at the technology and engine, it’s every bit as advanced and capable as its counterparts, and easily more so. What I find laughable is that you’d be too embarrassed to show your friends a $57k Lincoln but would have no problem showing off an equivalent jaguar or Land Rover that have laughable reliability, quality control, and resale.
Have you seen what people are spending on a new Navigator? Evidently plenty of people are fine with spending over $57k on a Lincoln.
I do see what people are spending on new Navs. Problem being is that for example, Toy/Lex only sold 375 less LX/LC’s last month and they haven’t touched those things in a decade. Or put another way, Lexus moved more than twice as many GX’s last month as Lincoln sold navigators and they haven’t touched that in a decade either…Its an anecdotal example of course, but still.
My point is Lincoln has the snakebite and its not going away. Cadillac has it too…Being good doesn’t cut it here. Nothing was wrong with the Old Aviator when it came out either….Alas I see the same ultimate autopsy results for this one in the future as well. Again, still.
There was plenty wrong with the former Aviator compared to its rivals at the time. The new one isn’t in the same ballpark.
Well, I would buy what I really want and what is probably the best product in the segment, but I’m a badge whore, so I’ll buy an inferior product just so nobody says anything negative.
How utterly pathetic.
Tell us more!
Your responses (plural, many) on this particular topic, just as with EVERY TOPIC/ARTICLE, have not yet fully flushed out all details of your weekly schedule, past 30 years (or so) of life, what you’re feeling about the automotive sector generally, as well as your political, economic, philosophical and other views.
We need at least a’dozen or more comments from you, John83Taurus94FordTempo2003KiaAmantiUberDriverRealTimeRepaorUpdates, on each and every TTAC article, before we really know how to respond.
Tell us more!
To my point, Lincoln backed off their former 2020 sales projection this morning…
As I said, it looks like a great rig, doesn’t matter…For the same reason the Continental is dead man walking, the Aviator will end up being a rounding error. Just an opinion based on history and present day facts. $5k in spiffs by Easter. Sorry.
Looks great. Thats the suit, its also whats underneath that counts.
Hopefully is has way better drivign dynamics than the current explorer.
Hopefully its competitively priced
lastly if near uselss and often aggravating tech for etch sake sold vehicles the Ct6 would still be with us and volvo would be leading the pack.
if stats are to believed most of us turn this tech off.
Ford is even later to the party here than they were with the Navigator but at least they’re here now. It looks great, it’s expensive, the next crash isn’t quite here yet so smoke ’em while you got ’em.
Interior notwithstanding I still see just a over-decorated Ford