2015 Lincoln Navigator Debuts Ahead of 2014 Chicago Auto Show

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by crysalis_01

One needs to understand that this is nothing more than a LONG overdue MCE, to hold over the 'gator until the aluminium intensive all new '18 comes out in a couple years, and that the designers are limited to what they can do; what with having to have everything mount up to all the old hard points. Meaning this had even less Wolff input than the MKZ (which had very little itself).

The next gen should be by all means much more "fluid" ala the MKC. This is just LMC getting all the old design languages (grills) out the door and creating a more synergetic design line up. With this more than likely getting the EB 3.5 and 2.7 powerplants sales should pick up enough to keep the nameplate alive til the '18.

From what I understand this is an old MCE that was shelved and is just now being applied to the car because Ford finally realized they needed to stem the bleeding.

Once Navigator is mercifully redesigned, it'll be 10 years old. Meanwhile Escalade is eating its breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

It's things like this that frustrates me about the brand. It's like they can only focus on one car at a time and leave the rest of the lineup to wither.

[mikeyg36]

Ford should just get rid of Lincoln...

[shaffe]

Originally Posted by mikeyg36

Ford should just get rid of Lincoln...

I hope not, I hope they finally start making luxury cars they way they should. Hopefully having Cadillac turn it around and making bad ass cars will getnlincoln to star turning it around

[King T]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Trying to stay relevant, I see.

This brand frustrates the living hell out of me. There's so much potential but Ford is completely incompetent at managing it.

I agree 100% Fen!

[mikeyg36]

Originally Posted by shaffe

I hope not, I hope they finally start making luxury cars they way they should. Hopefully having Cadillac turn it around and making bad ass cars will getnlincoln to star turning it around

Clearly it isn't. Cadillac is finally making world class cars and Lincoln is busy creating FWD upscaled econoboxes with leather seats, and updating 10 year old SUVs.

[Mr. iNCREDIBLE]

the last gen was ugly, and this gen is even worse.

what is it with Ford and these nasty grilles and square hard angles..

Their cars have no personality, no sex appeal.. remind me of smoothed out versions of their 1970s crap

[King T]

Big SUVs return: Lincoln launches 2015 Navigator

DETROIT -- The Lincoln Navigator is not going away. In fact, there's a new one.

Ford has updated the Lincoln Navigator for 2015 as part of efforts to breathe new life into its Lincoln luxury brand. Executives say longer-term plans are to introduce a next-generation Navigator that will be all new.

The 2015 Navigator has a new look, smaller fuel-efficient engine and nicer features. Keeping the same dimensions pleases loyal customers, said Navigator engineer Elaine Bannon. Using current underpinnings allows Ford to keep costs in check for an 8-passenger vehicle that sells in low volumes but generates nice profits. It will compete against Cadillac's new Escalade.

Ford sold 8,613 Navigators in 2013, up 3%. The Navigator, introduced in 1997, created the large luxury truck segment and has held a loyal following every since. Three-quarters of Navigator owners buy another one, said Andrew Frick, group marketing manager for Lincoln.

"It's a profitable vehicle," said Stephanie Brinley, senior analyst with IHS Automotive, noting Ford did not go overboard on expensive technologies that might not pay off. "They updated the right things."

For 2015, there are 20 upgrades including a new front and rear. The Navigator now has the split-wing grille that is now the signature for the Lincoln lineup, as well as a new hood, headlamps and taillamps with greater use of LED lights as well as a power liftgate and optional power moonroof.

The big chrome strip on the sides is gone.

It comes in standard or long wheelbase. The upgraded interior has the new and thicker Lincoln steering wheel that is also in the smaller MKC crossover and nicer materials. The Sync system has a larger touchscreen but also brings back knobs for some of the volume controls.

There are big changes under the hood. Gone is the 5.4-liter V-8 engine that generated 310 horsepower. It is replaced with the smaller, 3.5-liter V-6/ The twin-turbocharged, direct-injection engine produces 370 horsepower in conjunction with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Ford is not releasing fuel efficiency figures but the outgoing model gets about 13 miles per gallon in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. The V-6 should be in the 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway range.

Fuel economy is not a main reason for buying a Navigator, Bannon said. Top reasons are looks, power and capability. The three-row vehicle can tow 9,000 pounds.

Bannon says the availability of Lincoln's Continuously Controlled Damping adjusts the suspension for a smoother ride, as well as the electric power-assisted steering makes a huge difference in how the vehicle drives. The wheels are now 20-inch with optional 22-inch wheels with the new Reserve package.

Customers won't be in the dark when they approach their new Navigator. With a press of the key fob, a pool of light with the Lincoln logo appears as a welcome mat on the ground below each front door.

The Navigator is attracting some of Lincoln's youngest and wealthiest buyers, said Frick. They are generally age 50 to 55. That compares with the overall brand that trends to the late 50s. And while the overall segment is only about 50,000 SUVs a year, it has remained stable in recent years and is projected to increase to about 55,000.

"It's a segment where buyers are specific about the size they want," Brinley said. "They could go smaller and choose not to."

The new SUV will be on display Feb. 6 at the Chicago Auto Show.

Frick said he knows the Navigator must go up against an all-new Cadillac Escalade but he thinks Lincoln's flagship truck will hold its own.
Production will begin in late summer at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Ky., and the SUV will go on sale this fall. Pricing has not been announced.

Ford has said it will introduce four all-new Lincolns by 2016. It started with the MKZ midsize sedan in 2013 followed by a new entry, the MKC compact crossover coming this summer. Still to come is the MKX midsize crossover and then the MKS full-size sedan and flagship, which will share underpinnings with the MKZ. The lineup also includes the MKT, which is a luxury version of the Ford Flex.

[Toasty]

Originally Posted by shaffe

I hope not, I hope they finally start making luxury cars they way they should. Hopefully having Cadillac turn it around and making bad ass cars will getnlincoln to star turning it around

Originally Posted by mikeyg36

Clearly it isn't. Cadillac is finally making world class cars and Lincoln is busy creating FWD upscaled econoboxes with leather seats, and updating 10 year old SUVs.

Though, like it or not, Cadillac is not really Lincoln's competition. Buick is Lincoln's Competition. Cadillac is not entry level luxury.

[FenwickHockey65]

Frick said he knows the Navigator must go up against an all-new Cadillac Escalade but he thinks Lincoln's flagship truck will hold its own.

Is he blind? Escalade already destroys Navigator in sales. And it's a more expensive SUV.

[Toasty]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Is he blind? Escalade already destroys Navigator in sales. And it's a more expensive SUV.

Hold it's own... excrement? LOL I had to

[DGthe3]

That grill reminds me of something ... can't quite put my finger on it ...

[King T]

Originally Posted by Mr. iNCREDIBLE

the last gen was ugly, and this gen is even worse.

what is it with Ford and these nasty grilles and square hard angles..

How could anyone not love this face?

[Bat Maro]

Originally Posted by King T

How could anyone not love this face?

lmao!!! omg it looks even worse from this angle.. it looks like ford's forgotten retarded step child who they keep locked up in a closet and they only feed it old gym socks. what were they thinking???

[King Sun]

it looks like a old man with a big mustache