Lincoln Aviator

Lincoln Aviator
2020 Lincoln Aviator
Overview
Manufacturer	Lincoln (Ford)
Production	2002–2005 2019–present
Model years	2003–2005 2020–present
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size luxury SUV (2002–2005) Mid-size luxury crossover SUV[1][2] (2019–present)
Body style	5-door SUV
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive Front-engine, four-wheel-drive

The Lincoln Aviator is a mid-size, three-row luxury SUV^[3] manufactured and marketed under the Lincoln brand of Ford Motor Company — and now in its second generation, with a hiatus from 2006 to 2020.

The first generation Aviator was manufactured for 2003–2005 model years as a rebadged variant of the third generation Ford Explorer — and assembled at the now-closed St. Louis Assembly in Hazelwood, Missouri, alongside the Explorer and Mountaineer.

For the 2020 model year, Lincoln reintroduced the Aviator as a badge engineered variant of the sixth generation Ford Explorer^[4][5] manufactured at Chicago Assembly and offered with a plug-in hybrid variant.

First generation (UN152; 2003)

First generation
Overview
Model code	UN152
Production	2002–2005
Model years	2003–2005
Assembly	United States: Hazelwood, Missouri (St. Louis Assembly)
Body and chassis
Related	Ford Explorer Ford Explorer Sport Trac Mercury Mountaineer
Powertrain
Engine	4.6 L Modular V8 (gasoline)
Power output	225 kW (302 hp; 306 PS)
Transmission	5-speed 5R55S overdrive automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,888 mm (113.7 in)
Length	4,910 mm (193.3 in)
Width	1,877 mm (73.9 in)
Height	1,826 mm (71.9 in)
Chronology
Successor	Lincoln MKX (2006–2018) Lincoln MKT (2010–2019) Mercury Mountaineer

The Aviator was launched for the 2003 model year with three-row six-passenger seating configuration and optional second row bucket seats with center console or second-row bench seating (at no cost).

Along with the choice of four-wheel drive (4WD) configuration and towing packages, the Aviator was offered with optional heated/cooled front bucket seats, xenon (HID) headlights, 17-inch chrome wheels, and a DVD-based navigation system. These options were late availability in 2003 on the premium model and 2004 (Ultimate), 2005 (Elite). The Aviator was equipped with dual front/side airbags, side-curtain airbags, stability and traction control.

Chassis

Sharing its chassis with the third-generation Explorer, the Aviator is derived from the body-on-frame Ford U1 platform. Sharing its 2,888 mm (113.7 in) wheelbase with the Explorer/Mountaineer, the Aviator is fitted with four-wheel independent suspension.

A standard towing package was fitted to all 4WD Aviators with a heavy-duty towing package optional on either rear-wheel drive (RWD) or 4WD models.

Powertrain

In place of the SOHC two-valve version of the 4.6 L Modular V8 shared with the Explorer/Mountaineer and other Ford trucks, the Aviator was fitted with the DOHC four-valve version of the engine, shared with the Mustang Mach 1 and Marauder.

Producing 225 kW (302 hp; 306 PS) and 407 N⋅m (300 lbf⋅ft) of torque, the DOHC V8 engine in the Aviator came with two more horsepower than the 5.4-L V8 in the Navigator (though with 75 N⋅m (55 lbf⋅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 5R55S overdrive automatic transmission.

Body

The Aviator derived its body construction from the third-generation Explorer, sharing its body structure, doors, and roofline with both model lines. The Aviator adopts a number of styling cues from the second-generation Navigator, with visually similar front and rear stayling, lower door panels/running boards, grilles, and headlamps, and license-plate surrounds. Styled similar to later-1960s Lincolns, the rectangular-designed instrument panel featured an instrument cluster with electroluminescent gauges and needles. The Aviator received model-specific seats and leather, with American walnut wood trim on the doors and steering wheel.

Trim

At its 2002 launch, the Aviator was offered in Luxury base trim and Premium trim level. For 2004, the Premium trim was renamed Ultimate.. 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 offered 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 featured mink zebrano wood trim, 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 seatbacks, black carpet floor mats with stitched Kitty Hawk logo, available only in black exterior color.^[6]

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 was met with relatively positive press coverage.^[7]

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 the fact that it was priced similar to the larger and relatively popular Expedition. Car and Driver 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 4WD model held it out of contention for the top spots.^[8]

• 
  2005 Lincoln Aviator
• 
  2004–2005 Lincoln Aviator, rear ¾
• 
  2003 Lincoln Aviator (US)

Replacement

The first-generation Lincoln Aviator was discontinued after the 2005 model year, with the final vehicle produced by St. Louis Assembly on August 19, 2005. At the 2004 Detroit Auto Show, Lincoln previewed an intended second generation. In a break from the Explorer/Mountaineer, the model line was shifting its design from a three-row SUV to a two-row crossover SUV, becoming a Lincoln counterpart of the Ford Edge CUV. The second-generation Aviator was released as an early 2007 vehicle.

IN 2007, Lincoln rebranded its model line, adopting an "MK" model across its lineup, with the exception of the Navigator and the Town Car. The Aviator nameplate was dropped, becoming the Lincoln MKX (X= crossover); based on the Ford CD3 platform, the production MKX served as a counterpart of the Ford Edge.

Second generation (U611; 2020)

Second generation
Overview
Model code	U611
Production	May 6, 2019–present [9]
Model years	2020–present
Assembly	United States: Chicago, Illinois (Chicago Assembly) China: Hangzhou (Changan Ford)
Designer	Kemal Curić[10]
Body and chassis
Platform	Ford CD6 platform
Related	Ford Explorer
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 L twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 (gasoline) 3.0 L twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 (gasoline/Plug-in hybrid)
Electric motor	75 kW (101 hp; 102 PS) Internal permanent magnet synchronous motor
Power output	298–368.4 kW (400–494 hp; 405–501 PS) and 415–630 lb⋅ft (563–854 N⋅m) torque
Transmission	Ford 10R80 10-speed SelectShift automatic Modular Hybrid Transmission with SelectShift® Capability (GRAND TOURING / Black Label GRAND TOURING)
Hybrid drivetrain	PHEV (GRAND TOURING / Black Label GRAND TOURING)
Battery	13.6-kWh Lithium-ion (GRAND TOURING / Black Label GRAND TOURING)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3,025 mm (119.1 in)
Length	5,065 mm (199.4 in)
Width	2,020 mm (79.5 in)
Height	1,760 mm (69.3 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Lincoln MKT (2010–2019)

At the 2018 New York Auto Show, Lincoln unveiled a prototype version of its planned second-generation Aviator, scheduled to enter production in 2019.^[4][5]

A more detailed production was later introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 28, 2018. Lincoln confirmed that the Aviator would go on sale in the summer of 2019 as a 2020 model in North America and China afterward.^[11]

With 494 hp (368 kW) and 630 lb⋅ft (850 N⋅m) of torque and all of the power and torque coming from a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with a hybrid system, the Aviator Hybrid's output makes it on par with likes of other midsized performance SUVs such as the BMW X5 xDrive 50i (456 hp (340 kW; 462 PS) and 479 lb⋅ft (649 N⋅m)), and the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid (455 hp (339 kW; 461 PS) and 516 lb⋅ft (700 N⋅m)).

Overview

The 2018 Aviator prototype marked the debut of an all-new vehicle platform for Ford Motor Company; while the vehicle is RWD, the architecture is designed for multiple powertrain layouts, including all-wheel drive (AWD) and front-wheel drive (FWD).^[4] The second-generation Aviator shares its platform architecture with the sixth-generation Explorer.^[4][5] While again mechanically related to the Explorer, the Aviator received its own styling.^[4]

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.^[4][1]

Several technological features debuted on the 2018 prototype Aviator.^[4][1] 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 an 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).^[12]

A number of safety technology features were included, with Lincoln CoPilot360 packaging automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping system, lane centering,^[13] reverse camera, and auto high-beams. Reverse Brake Assist applies the brakes if the vehicle detects an object when the transmission is in reverse.^[4][12]

Lincoln designers worked with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra to compose 25 unique sound effects to be used for the door chime and other indicator alerts for the Aviator.^[14]

• 
  Rear view
• 
  Aviator PHEV (China, import)
• 
  Aviator PHEV (China, import)

2025 refresh

The facelifted Aviator was revealed on February 5, 2024, for the 2025 model year. It features a redesigned front fascia, refreshed interior and redesigned headlights. The PHEV Grand Touring trim was discontinued for 2025.

• 
  Front View
• 
  Rear View

Safety

NHTSA crash test ratings (2020):^[15]

• Front Impact Rating:
• Side Impact Rating:
• Rollover Rating: 15.1%

2020 Lincoln Aviator IIHS Ratings^[16]

Category	Rating
Small overlap front	Good
Moderate overlap front	Good
Side impact	Good
Roof strength	Good
Head restraints & seats	Good

Sales

Calendar year	US	Canada[17]	China[18]
2002	1,856[19]		—
2003	29,517
2004	23,644[20]
2005	15,873	664
2006	1,711[21]
2019	8,323[22]	678
2020	23,080[23]	1,941	8,818
2021	20,924[24]	2,043	14,256
2022	21,977[25]		6,297
2023	15,551[26]		4,867

References

1. “Lincoln Aviator debuts as stylish 3-row crossover with a surprise” from Autoblog (March 28, 2018)
2. "The 2020 Lincoln Aviator Starts at $52,195 and Can Cost More Than $90,000". January 22, 2019.
3. ZumMallen, Ryan (October 16, 2020). "Lincoln Aviator Prices, Reviews, and Pictures | Edmunds". Edmunds.com.
4. "Lincoln Aviator Concept First Look: SUV is Back on New Rear-Drive Platform - Motor Trend". Motor Trend. March 27, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
5. “Lincoln amps up design with Aviator reboot” from The Detroit News (March 28, 2019)
6. "Lincoln Aviator Kitty Hawk Edition Celebrates 100 Years of Flight -- re> WASHINGTON, March 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --". Archived from the original on October 6, 2014.
7. "Lincoln's derailed gravy train hitches to another car." Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine Car and Driver, December 2002.
8. "The Bradsher Bunch", Car and Driver, January 2003.
9. "Ford-Lincoln Trucks (Build Out Final Order Start up Dates) – Donlen".
10. Lerner, Preston (July 5, 2021). "Meet the Global Design Director for Lincoln". Irvine Standard. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
11. "2020 Lincoln Aviator crossover is a hot rod with 400 horsepower standard" from Autoblog (November 28, 2018)
12. "Elegant Aviator SUV Previews Lincoln's Next Act with Power, Technology and Plug-In Hybrid Option | Lincoln Media Center". media.lincoln.com. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
13. "2020 Lincoln Aviator Finally La-La-Lands in Production Form in L.A." cars.com. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
14. Abuelsamid, Sam (November 5, 2018). "2020 Lincoln Aviator Debuting At LA Auto Show With Custom Symphonic Tones". Forbes. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
15. "2020 Lincoln Aviator". www.nhtsa.gov.
16. "2020 Lincoln Aviator". IIHS-HLDI crash testing and highway safety. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
17. "Lincoln Aviator Canada Sales Figures". carfigures.com. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
18. "Lincoln Aviator Sales Figures".
19. "Ford's F-Series Truck Caps 22nd Year in a Row as America's Best-Selling Vehicle With a December Sales Record". Theautochannel.com. November 17, 2004. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
20. "Ford Achieves First Car Sales Increase Since 1999". Theautochannel.com. November 17, 2004. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
21. "Ford Motor Company 2007 sales". January 3, 2008. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009.
22. "F-Series Hits 43rd Straight Year as America's Best-Selling Pickup; Ford Achieves 10 Straight Years of Leadership as America's Best-Selling Brand; Lincoln SUV Sales Best in 16 Years". media.ford.com. January 6, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
23. "Truck Customers Make F-Series America's Best-Selling Pickup For 44 Straight Years; Ford Brand Achieves 11 Straight Years as America's Best-Selling Brand; Ford Explorer Claims Top Spot in 2020; Luxury Customers Propel Lincoln SUVs to Highest Sales in 17 Years". Ford Media Center. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
24. "Ford Best-Selling Automaker in Q4; Becomes No. 2 for Electric Vehicle Sales for 2021; F-Series Best-Selling Truck for 45th Year In Row and Best-Selling Vehicle for 40th straight year; SUV Share Expands". Ford Media Center. Ford Motor Company. January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
25. "F-Series Captures America's Best-Selling Truck Crown For 46th Straight Year; Ford Posts Record Electric Vehicles Sales, Harnesses No. 2 EV Automaker Spot; Ford Expands Total Market Share In 2022". Ford Media Center. January 5, 2023. Archived from the original on January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
26. "Ford U.S. Sales Rise 7.1% to Nearly 2 Million Vehicles in 2023" (Press release). Ford. January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.

External links

• Official website
• 2005 Lincoln Aviator press kit (Ford Media)