NYIAS 2017: Lincoln Teases First All-new Navigator in 11 Years

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

“We like to think some things are worth the wait,” tweeted Lincoln Motor Company this morning.

Ford’s premium division had a reason to be cheeky when it teased the backlit face of its next-generation full-size SUV, as the Navigator hasn’t seen a full redesign in 11 long years. That’s an eternity in the automotive world.

When the current-generation Navigator began production in August of 2006, Twitter was a month old, the American job scene and housing market seemed sturdy, and Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer were looking forward to long, happy futures. So, this week’s New York International Auto Show should be quite the momentous occasion for the resurgent automaker.

While we can only see a dim view of the Navigator’s face, some cutting-edge computer trickery known only to select Best Buy shoppers allows us a slightly clearer view:

For 2018, the full-sizer adopts a taller corporate grille to properly position the model alongside the MKZ and Continental, along with a similar lower fascia treatment. Compared to chrome-heavy Navigators of yesteryear, it’s a toned-down affair. The unseen flanks will likely bear a striking resemblance to those of the Navigator concept of 2016, minus the ridiculous gull-wing doors. Don’t expect stepladder-style running boards, either.

The Navigator shares its architecture with the similarly updated 2018 Ford Expedition, and there’s plenty of similarities between last year’s Lincoln concept and next year’s Ford. Providing power for the concept was the Continental’s 400-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. We’ll have to wait a couple of days to see what heart (or hearts) beat inside the production model.

One thing that does set this Lincoln apart — something the automaker makes sure you’ll notice — is the illuminated badge in the center of the grille. Ford filed a patent for this feature in 2014.

[Image: Lincoln Motor Company/Twitter]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Turf3 Turf3 on Apr 11, 2017

    All right! I want to pay (how much? $75,000? $85,000?) for a Ford pickup with fancy trim and an enclosed bed!

    • Frylock350 Frylock350 on Apr 11, 2017

      Much better than paying the same amount of money to a German brand for a tiny-ass crossover or sedan with less interior room than a $30k Avalon or Impala. And its Ford pickup bones mean it'll last forever.

  • Mmreeses Mmreeses on Apr 11, 2017

    i think the next to comments says it all. People forgot that Navigator still exists (and why should it---it's a "name" not MK-whatever. And lots of people just don't care.

  • FreedMike Off topic, but folks, this site is not working well for me from a technical standpoint, and it doesn't matter if I'm using my phone, or my computer (on two different browsers). It locks up and makes it impossible to type anything in after a certain point. Anyone else having these issues?
  • Syke Kinda liked the '57, hated the '58. Then again, I hated the entire '58 GM line except for the Chevrolet. Which I liked better than the '57's. Still remember dad's '58 Impala hardtop, in the silver blue that was used as the main advertising color.
  • Dartdude The bottom line is that in the new America coming the elites don't want you and me to own cars. They are going to make building cars so expensive that the will only be for the very rich and connected. You will eat bugs and ride the bus and live in a 500sq-ft. apartment and like it. HUD wants to quit giving federal for any development for single family homes and don't be surprised that FHA aren't going to give loans for single family homes in the very near future.
  • Ravenuer The rear view of the Eldo coupe makes it look fat!
  • FreedMike This is before Cadillac styling went full scale nutty...and not particularly attractive, in my opinion.
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