Lincoln Aviator

Infobox Automobile


name=Lincoln Aviator
manufacturer=Ford Motor Company
production=2003–2005
successor=Lincoln MKX
class=Mid-size sport utility vehicle
body_style=4-door SUV
wheelbase= Auto in|113.7|0
length= Auto in|193.3|0
width= Auto in|73.9|0
assembly=Hazelwood, Missouri, USA
height= Auto in|71.9|0
platform=Ford U platform
fuel_capacity= Convert|22.5|usgal|L impgal|1
engine=4.6 L DOHC Modular V8
transmission=5-speed automatic
layout=Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
related=Ford Explorer
Ford Explorer Sport Trac
Land Rover Discovery
Land Rover LR3
Mercury Mountaineer
similar=Lexus GX

The Lincoln Aviator was a mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) produced by the Ford Motor Company's Lincoln luxury division. It was introduced in 2003, and production ended in 2005. The Aviator was built exclusively at Ford's St. Louis Assembly plant in Hazelwood, Missouri. Its competitors included the Cadillac SRX, Lexus GX (launched at the same time as the Aviator), and Infiniti FX.

Prices for the Aviator ranged from US$39,940 for the base RWD model to US$ 42,890 for the AWD model.It was available only with a 4.6 L DOHC V8, Convert|302|hp|kW|0|abbr=on gasoline engine.

Lincoln played up the similarity to the Navigator 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. [ [http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/1864/lincoln-aviator.html "Lincoln's derailed gravy train hitches to another car."] "Car and Driver", December 2002.]

While the Aviator's styling borrowed cues from its big brother, the Navigator, it didn't look much different from the very widespread Ford Explorer that it was based on. Also working against the Aviator was that it was priced similar to the larger and relatively popular Ford Expedition. (The Navigator, based on and priced above the Expedition, was priced similarly to the Ford Excursion, but the Excursion was rare so the comparison did work not against the Navigator, whereas the Aviator was frequently compared to the Expedition and Explorer.) Indeed, "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 held it out of contention for the top spots. [ [http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/1798/the-bradsher-bunch-page4.html "The Bradsher Bunch"] , "Car and Driver", January 2003.]

Despite the initial praise, the Aviator was a poor seller for Lincoln—with many hypothesizing that its all-too-familiar looks were to blame—and was quickly discontinued in August 2005. Originally, the Aviator was supposed to be on hiatus for the 2006 model year and reappear based on the CD3 platform the next year. However, Ford scrapped the Aviator name, and the car has been replaced by the mid/compact-based Lincoln MKX crossover SUV, which was unveiled at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. The MKX went on sale in December 2006 as a 2007 model. Even though the Aviator only had a V8 engine, the MKX only has a V6, and the MKX doesn't properly replace the Aviator. It is believed the new Ford Flex-based Lincoln crossover SUV would eventually be a proper Aviator replacement.

References