LincolnNavigator

2015 Lincoln Navigator facelift ditches V8 for 3.5L twin turbo V6

Ford’s remaining luxury brand, Lincoln, has revealed a facelifted version of its Navigator SUV complete with new LED driving lights, “split wing” grille and leather wrapped interior. Oh, and it’s ditching the V8.


The Navigator faces up to the car preferred by nine out of ten rappers, the V8-only Cadillac Escalade, which recently entered into a new generation replete with a new body, underpinnings and an exclusive higher grade interior.

Changes to the Navigator, which is based on the Ford Expedition and the outgoing Ford F-150 pickup, are less extensive. The SUV features a redesigned front end with squared off xenon headlights, a new bonnet, LED driving lights and Lincoln’s grille du jour.

The most significant change is under the hood, where the outgoing car’s standard 231kW/495Nm 5.4-litre V8 has been replaced by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo EcoBoost-branded V6 generating at least 276kW (370hp) of power and 583Nm (430lb-ft) of torque. Whether this motor can hold the same cachet as its V8-only rival remains to be seen. Power goes to ground through either the rear or all four wheels via a 6-speed automatic; wheel sizes go from 20-inch to 21-inch.

Other changes include the adoption of Ford’s MyFord Touch (branded as MyLincoln Touch) entertainment and navigation system with 8-inch in-dash touchscreen and adaptive displays either side of the speedometer, Ziricote wood trim typically used on yachts, and leather wrapped everything (including the dashboard). Options include active suspension, self-levelling rear suspension, and an electric folding mechanism for the third row seats.

The Navigator is available in both ginormous 5.3m standard form and 5.6m long L version. Both variants feature three rows of seating and the choice of either seven or eight seats.

Dimensions

Navigator Navigator L
Length

5,268mm 5,646mm