It’s good news if you’re into your enormous luxury SUVs – Lincoln has finally unveiled the new Navigator.
For the uninitiated, Lincoln is the luxury arm of Ford. And the Navigator is the company’s big, flagship SUV. It’s been around for quite a while now, and the current one has looked a little old-hat since the latest-generation Cadillac Escalade was launched in 2015.
Still, the Navigator is a popular car in the Middle East, not least because it can ferry big families about in serene comfort. That’s why, ahead of its debut at the upcoming Dubai International Motor Show, Lincoln decided to stage a launch party to celebrate the arrival of the new Navigator. And it’s even bigger than it used to be.
At the launch event, Lincoln said the team had designed the new Navigator with “the discerning Middle East customer top of mind”. So what do you get?
Well, aside from the slick new looks and bigger footprint, you get what Lincoln claims is “more space for your belongings than any other SUV”, more luxury, and, of course, more technology.
On the luxury front, it really does seem like Lincoln is pushing the boat out with its new Navigator. Three special-edition “Presidential” design themes are available on it. These come with beautiful colour schemes, as well as leather specially selected and crafted by Eagle Ottowa, a high-quality tannery that’s been going since 1865.
And that leather covers glorious seats can be specced to offer massage functions, 30-way electrical adjustability, and heating and cooling. Even the third-row seats (yep, the far-back ones where your kids’ friends go) come with power recline functions.
Tech-wise, you get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, an amazing, 10.1-inch touch screen on the centre console, and a host of function buttons on the steering wheel. You can spec a 20-speaker audio system, and you get six USB ports, four 12-volt power outlets, and a 220-volt plug. There’s also a wireless phone charger in the front row centre console.
And that’s not all. In front of the driver, the instrument cluster is totally digital – coming together in a 12.4-inch, HD display. You can spec a head-up display, as well as things like advanced park assist, adaptive cruise control and adaptive lighting.
The engine available at launch is a brand-new 3.5-litre, twin-turbo V6. But before you start groaning that the Navigator isn’t being hauled along by a big V8, know that this new engine develops 450 bhp and 690 Nm of torque. It’s mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox. We’re guessing that this will translate to a car that’s serene to drive, but with enough poke to mean joining highways is no problem at all.
You can pre-book your new Navigator now, but deliveries don’t start in the Middle East until early 2018.
So, Internet, this or an Escalade?
