Friday 27 / December / 2024
The biggest Lincoln just got better. It seems the Americans are finally picking up the concept of efficiency, adopting the smaller turbo-installed engines – more efficient and more powerful as well, compared to the age old V8 behemoths.
Taking lead in the transformation is the leader of American automobile industry: Ford, replacing the V8 on all its biggies with its exclusive 3.5 litre turbocharged Eco-boost engines, as the iconic brand spruces its entire model line-up, including that of its sister concern — Lincoln.
Having undergone a major revamp in 2015, the third generation Lincoln Navigator received a bold in-your-face styling with the revised front split-wing grille and headlight design; refreshed exterior design and a new interior with premium leather and wood trim; bigger wheels, and bigger power.
The front split-wing grille is quite minimised form what it used to be earlier, and no longer is the dominant factor of its visual appeal. The visual tidings have now shifted their focus to the daytime LED lights, the power retracting running boards, revised rear fascia with an extended-over-the-whole LED light, and the super big 20- inch or the even bigger optional 22-inch wheels.
Inside huge swaths of real exotic Ziricote wood trim and lounge like leather seats engulf in posh comfort. Once behind the wheel, we were mightily impressed with the super-awesome performance of the Eco-boost engine. The twin-turbo V6 performs much better than the ousted 5.4 litre V8, delivering ample power even at lower rpms, with instant propulsion whenever demanded, across a wide powerband.
Churning out 380bhp, and a massive 650Nm torque (much more than the V8), the new engine transforms the Navigator from acceptable to aggressively quick. The almost 3,000 kilo leviathan propels from 0 to 100kmph in an amazing 6.2 seconds.
For its size, the Navigator feels surprisingly easy to handle. The independent rear suspension lends the SUV a more planted feel on turns, though the steering response feels saggy at times. Large mirrors, high positioned seats, and a glassy cabin give the driver an expansive view, and the ride is smooth and hushed as expected in this league.
The SUV’s 4-wheel-drive system uses a 2-speed transfer case with electronic shift-on-the-fly. In low range it switches the engine’s electronic throttle control to a special off-road calibration for more precise torque management in adverse conditions, like steep or slippery terrains. The system also features hill-descent control and hill-start assist.
Power is transmitted through a 6-speed automatic transmission with available manual shift mode. The 3-mode suspension dampening allows the driver to choose between Comfort, Normal and Sport settings. We found the ‘Sport’ mode quite to our liking with a sharper response. The ‘Comfort’ setting is a bit too soft, and not to say, ‘Normal’ is just normal.
Boasting of a long list of creature comforts as standard, the 2016 Navigator comes standard with front ventilated seats, 14 speaker, 600-watt THX II surround-sound audio system, navigation, dual-zone automatic climate control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera and the voice-command prompt SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen (replacing the not so good MyLincoln Touch). Optional features include a power moonroof and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. The power-folding third row also allows increased luggage area, quick and easy.
The only thing seemingly awkward is the very puny odometer, which looks like it has been pulled right out from a Ford Fusion and fitted onto the rolling giant. The tiny instrument cluster sits oddly, almost completely hidden behind the big steering wheel. The look of the metre console is also not-at-all-premium, resembling pretty much with that on a popular Chinese car (obviously the Chinese having copied it, but it looks more fitting with them only).
The 2016 Navigator also comes heavily loaded on the standard safety equipment, the 2016 Navigator comes with 4-wheel ABS, traction and stability control, 3 row airbags, and SYNC emergency alerts and communications. The highlight of the safety features is the much touted ‘MyKey’ function. The teen-driver-oriented feature enables limiting the speed and audio volume with a master fob. The latest Navigator also comes standard with post-collision safety system, and remote antitheft alarm.
The trailer-sway control effectively corrects and curbs the pendulum-like swing that a towed vehicle tends to induce. Lincoln also claims the best-in-class towing capacity of up to 4,082 kilos.
The first full-size luxury SUV introduced to Americans, the Navigator continues to be a force to contend with. Sit tight; we hear a totally in-and-out revamped full aluminium construction Navigator is slated for a 2017 release.
Tech Specs
Engine
3.5-litre, twin-turbocharged, Eco-boost V6
Power
380Bhp @ 5,250rpm; 650Nm torque @ 2,750rpm
Performance
0-100kmph – 6.2 seconds
Transmission
6-Speed automatic with manual shift option
Fuel economy
16/22 mpg City/Highway (EPA-estimated)
Weight
2752 kilos
Authorised Dealer
Arabian Car marketing
+968 9288 0658
me.lincoln.com
