The Lincoln Aviator is an automobile that was sold by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company from 2002 to 2005. A mid-size luxury sport-utility vehicle, the Aviator was a rebadged variant of the second-generation Mercury Mountaineer (itself based on the Ford Explorer). Slotted between the Mercury Mountaineer and the Lincoln Navigator, at the time of its debut, the Lincoln Aviator was the shortest vehicle ever sold by the Lincoln division.
Following lower than expected sales, the Lincoln Aviator discontinued after the 2005 model year; several of its features were integrated into the 2006 redesign of the Mercury Mountaineer. As Lincoln expanded its use of crossover SUVs, the 2007 five-passenger Lincoln MKX (initially intended to wear the Aviator nameplate) was offered with a similar exterior footprint, with the 2009 Lincoln MKT offering six/seven-passenger seating (slotted slightly below the Navigator in size).
In March 2018, Lincoln unveiled the prototype for a second-generation Lincoln Aviator, intended to enter production in 2019. Sharing a platform (but not a body) with the sixth-generation Ford Explorer, the second-generation Aviator is a three-row luxury SUV.
For its entire production run, the 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviator was assembled at St. Louis Assembly in Hazelwood, Missouri, alongside the Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer. Produced for only three model years, the Lincoln Aviator is among the shortest-produced Lincoln vehicles, alongside the Lincoln Blackwood and Lincoln Mark LT pickup trucks.
Video Lincoln Aviator
First generation (UN152; 2003-2005)
For the 2003 model year, Lincoln introduced the Lincoln Aviator, slotted below the Lincoln Navigator. As with the Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer, a three-row seating configuration was standard; in contrast to the Explorer and Mountaineer, a six-passenger configuration was standard, with bucket seats and a center console in the second row (a second-row bench seat was available as a no-cost option).
Alongside the choice of all-wheel-drive drivetrain configuration and towing packages, the Lincoln Aviator was offered with relatively few options. In addition to all the standard features, options included heated/cooled front bucket seats, xenon (HID) headlights, 17 inch chrome wheels and a DVD based navigation both of these options were late availability in 2003 on the premium model and 2004 (Ultimate), 2005 (Elite pkg). Shared with the Mountaineer, the Aviator was equipped with dual front/side airbags, side curtain airbags, along with stability and traction control.
Chassis
Sharing its chassis with the third-generation Ford Explorer, the Lincoln Aviator is derived from the body-on-frame Ford U1 platform. Sharing its 113.7-inch wheelbase with the Explorer/Mountaineer, the Aviator is fitted with four-wheel independent suspension.
Along with the Explorer and Mountaineer, rear-wheel-drive is standard; in place of four-wheel drive, the Lincoln Aviator was offered with all-wheel drive as an option. A standard towing package was fitted to all AWD Aviators with a heavy-duty towing package optional on either RWD or AWD models.
Powertrain
In place of the SOHC 2-valve version of the 4.6L V8 shared with the Explorer/Mountaineer and other Ford trucks, the Aviator was fitted with the DOHC 4-valve version of the engine, shared with the Ford Mustang Mach 1 and Mercury Marauder.
Producing 302 hp (225 kW) and 300 pound-feet (407 N?m) of torque, the DOHC V8 in the Aviator came with two more horsepower than the 5.4L V8 in the Lincoln Navigator (though with 55 lb-ft less of torque). As with the Explorer/Mountaineer, rear-wheel drive was standard, with Lincoln offering all-wheel drive as an option; all versions were equipped with a five-speed 5R55E overdrive automatic transmission.
Body
As with the Mercury Mountaineer, the Lincoln Aviator derived its body construction from the third-generation Ford Explorer, sharing its body structure, doors, and roofline with both model lines. The Aviator adopts a number of styling cues from the second-generation Lincoln Navigator which was dubbed "The Baby Navigator", with visually similar front and rear fascias, lower door panels/running boards, grilles and headlamps, and license plate surrounds. The Aviator was styled with a Lincoln-specific dashboard, adopting a design nearly identical to the Lincoln Navigator. Styled similar to later-1960s Lincolns, the rectangular-designed dashboard of both models featured an instrument cluster with electroluminescent gauges and needles. The primary visual difference between an Aviator and a Navigator is the lettering on the radio cover panel; an Aviator is lettered "LINCOLN", with its Navigator counterpart lettered "NAVIGATOR". As with the Navigator, the Aviator was given model-specific seats and leather, with American walnut wood trim on the doors and steering wheel.
Trim
At its 2002 launch, the Lincoln Aviator followed the trim nomenclature of the Lincoln LS and Lincoln Navigator, with a Luxury base trim and Premium top-level trim. For 2004, the Premium trim was renamed Ultimate, matching the Navigator and Town Car. For 2005, the Luxury trim became the sole offering, with previous content remaining available as stand-alone options, including a rear-seat DVD player. An Elite option package was offered, which bundled all features of the Premium/Ultimate trims; the package offered a DVD-based navigation system.
Kitty Hawk Special Edition
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' 1903 flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and the 100th anniversary of Ford Motor Company, Lincoln created a "Kitty Hawk" limited edition of the Aviator; it was the official vehicle of the 2003 EAA Countdown to Kitty Hawk. Along with special Kitty Hawk badging and trim, the limited-edition vehicles were fitted with special wood trim which is mink zebrano, argent painted and chrome grille, and a rear spoiler, chrome exhaust tip, chrome wheels, xenon (HID) headlamps, black premium leather heated/cooled seats with Kitty Hawk logo embossed on front seat backs, black carpet floor mats with stitched Kitty Hawk logo, available only in black exterior color.
Marketing and reception
Lincoln played up the similarity to the Navigator full-size SUV with magazine ads that read, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Especially when it's yourself you're imitating." The Aviator seemed to have been met with relatively positive press coverage.
While the Aviator's styling borrowed cues from its big brother, the Navigator, it also looked similar to the very widespread Explorer with which it shared the platform. Also working against the Aviator was it was priced similar to the larger and relatively popular Expedition, though the Ford SUV was marketed to the middle class, while the Lincoln was marketed to the upper middle class. Car and Driver magazine said in a comparison test, in which the Aviator tied for fifth place, that only the car's high price and lack of certain features and no low range with the AWD model held it out of contention for the top spots.
Maps Lincoln Aviator
Replacement
During 2004, Lincoln previewed a second generation of the Lincoln Aviator at the 2004 Detroit Auto Show, shifting from a three-row SUV to a two-row crossover SUV. Lincoln-Mercury intended for the Aviator to skip the 2006 model year entirely to enter production as an early 2007 model. Based on the Ford CD3 platform (shared with the Ford Fusion sedan), the second-generation Aviator was to become the Lincoln counterpart of the newly introduced Ford Edge.
The final Lincoln Aviator was manufactured on August 19, 2005, as Ford phased out the third generation of the Ford Explorer.
During 2005 and 2006, Lincoln underwent a rebranding of its model line. With the exception of the Navigator and Town Car, all future Lincoln vehicles adopted an "MK" nameplate. Coinciding with lower than expected sales of the 2003-2005 Aviator, the 2007 Lincoln Aviator crossover SUV was renamed the Lincoln MKX.
Second generation (2019-)
At the 2018 New York Auto Show, Lincoln unveiled a prototype version of its planned second-generation Lincoln Aviator, slated to enter production in 2019 as either a 2019 or 2020 model. While not announced as a replacement for the Lincoln MKT, the Lincoln Aviator will be marketed above the Lincoln Nautilus and below the standard-wheelbase Lincoln Navigator.
Vehicle overview
The 2018 Aviator prototype marks the debut of an all-new vehicle platform for Ford Motor Company; while the vehicle is rear-wheel drive, the architecture is designed for multiple powertrain layouts, including all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. The second-generation Aviator will share its platform architecture with the sixth-generation Ford Explorer (currently under development). While again mechanically related to the Ford Explorer, the Lincoln Aviator will be given its own body design. Adopting design cues from the Lincoln Continental and Lincoln Navigator, the Aviator adopted conservative exterior styling, to contrast from a "visual attack" (seen on competing vehicles).
No specific engine or transmission details were announced as part of the unveiling; the production Aviator will offer plug-in hybrid (PHEV) capability as an option, the first Lincoln vehicle to do so.
Making their way into the production vehicle, several technology features made their debut on the 2018 prototype Aviator. Tying the vehicle camera system with the continuously controlled dampers, Suspension Preview Technology looks at the road ahead for surface irregularities (i.e., potholes), preparing the suspension for impact and its effect on vehicle ride. Phone as a Key allows a Lincoln Aviator to be driven without keys; the technology allows the smartphone of the owner to serve as the vehicle key fob, with the door-mounted keyless entry keypad allowing access in the event of phone battery failure (the interior is designed with wireless charging for smartphones).
A number of safety technology features are included, with Lincoln CoPilot360 packaging automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert, lane keeping system, reverse camera, and auto high-beams. Reverse Brake Assist applies the brakes if the vehicle detects an object when the transmission is in reverse.
Sales
References
External links
- Official website of Lincoln Aviator
- 2005 Lincoln Aviator press kit (Ford Media)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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