LINCOLNNAVIGATOR.NET - 2005 lincoln navigator

Menu

		Email Marketing Tips Learn all Email Marketing Tips by reading the Email Marketing Tips Go to Tips
2007 Lincoln Navigator Learn about all the new features of the 2007 Navigator and upgrades Learn More		Used 2003 Lincoln Navigators Want to buy an used Navigator? The 2003 model might be just what you're looking for 2003 Navigators

Down-sized Aviator moves Lincoln into a new segment - New Product in Brief

John Peter

The Basics

Aviator's strong resemblance to the Navigator is no accident Lincoln has found that the Navigator has become an icon for their division, but studies have shown that while a lot of people love the Navigator, they feel that it's just too big. They see potential luxury SUV buyers moving up from Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Improvements and Innovations

While Aviator might be a Navigator look-alike, what it isn't is a re-badged Explorer.

Aviator Vehicle Engineering Manager, J.D. Shanahan says that the team kept the Explorer basic ladder frame, fuel tank and independent rear suspension, though mono-tube shock were installed at all four corners for more precise tuning.

Major improvements were made to the front suspension. Key suspension mounting point were stiffened laterally up to 200 percent. A larger cross member was added underneath the engine and the mounts were enlarged and the angle was altered by 10 degrees to help tun out and reduce engine shake. The upper control arms are carried over from Explorer while the lower control arms are cast aluminum and attach to the chassis with larger bushings. Bracket welded to the bottoms of the front shock towers add about 40 to 50 percent more lateral stiffness. Oval-shaped 'grippy' bushings allowed engineers to reduce the diameter of the stay-bar and tune the steering for more immediate input.

ZF supplied the Servotronic II rack-and-pinion variable-speed, variable-assist power steering assembly and worked closely with Ford engineers to tune the system specifically for the Aviator.

Body

The Aviator shares only door and roof stampings with Explorer. Engineers added mastics the floor pan and used blanketing technology throughout to create a very quiet vehicle. A thicker windshield and laminated glass add to the lower NVH numbers. The body mounts are made f a micro-cellular urethane/butyl rubber compound and are tuned specifically for the Aviator.

What we think

The influence of Richard Parry-Jones is very evident in the Aviator. It is one of the best handling and riding body-on-frame vehicles I've ever driven. Those who like their luxury smooth, quiet and refined will be very pleased with Aviator.

RELATED ARTICLE: 2003 Lincoln Aviator.

What is it? Full-size 6-or 7-passenger front engine, rear-wheel-drive or full-time, wheel-drive SUV.

Who's It for? Luxury SUV buyers wanting something smaller than a Navigator.

Where It's built: St. Louis, MO.

Competitors: Mercedes M-class BMW Acura MDX.

Sales Target: 30,000

Supplier Involvement

Amcast: Control arms

ArvinMeritor: Sunroof

Bosch: Brakes

Breed: seat belts

Collins & Aikman: IP, Carpet

Continental Teves: ABS

Fisher: Seat recliner

Grupo Antolin: Headliner

Lear: seat assembly

Magna Decoma: Bumper fascia

N.A.L.: Tail lamp.

NTN: Half shaft

Schefenacker: Exterior mirrors

Siemens VDO: Keyless entry

Tower; Vehicle full frame

TRW: Airbag modules

Visteon: Fuel tank, Headlamp assembly

HVAC system

Wescast: Exhaust manifold

Source: CSM Worldwide

COPYRIGHT 2002 Reed Business Information
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group