Replica/Kit Makes
The Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV produced by the Lincoln
division of Ford Motor Company. Introduced in 1998, the Navigator was one of the
first full-size luxury SUVs. The Lincoln Navigator is the largest luxury SUV
made by the Ford Motor Company and is Lincoln's first four-wheel drive vehicle.
The 1998 Navigator was one of the first luxury SUVs. It introduced the concept
of the American luxury SUV, competing at first with only the Cadillac Escalade.
Essentially a luxurious Ford Expedition with a more powerful engine, more luxury
features and better trimmed interior including higher quality leather, fine
wood, and extensive carpeting, its humble truck roots could be easily spotted,
however. The Navigator had the same user-friendly dashboard layout as the
Expedition and F-150. Competitors from Cadillac and GMC with the Denali Series
quickly followed. Much like the Cadillac Escalade, the Navigator found a spot
with celebrities and the customized SUV scene.
Upgrades came just one year later with a more powerful DOHC InTech engine and
electrically-adjustable pedals, an "industry first." This new engine produces
300 horsepower and 355 ft·lbf torque. More luxury features appeared in 2000,
including a satellite navigation system, cooled/heated front seats and reverse
sensing system as well as side impact airbags. No more major changes were made
in 2001, and the Navigator was redesigned after 2002.
The Navigator was redesigned in 2003. Compared to the previous generation, the
interior of the redesigned Navigator has been redesigned so it would feel more
comfortable to luxury car buyers. For instance, the Navigator no longer shared
the dashboard layout of the Expedition and F-150. It had a higher-class
dashboard consisting of faux satin nickel trim and real wood inserts. The
optional navigation system was now integrated with the audio system controls to
save space. Some ingenious features debuted with this redesign, including
power-deployable running boards that deploy when a side door is opened, a power
liftgate, and a power folding third row seat. Also included with the ultimate
model was HID headlights.
Tire-pressure monitoring was made standard for 2004, with Roll Stability Control
an option, and the mid-level Premium trim line was deleted. Along with a light
facelift the powertrain was revised for 2005. The DOHC 5.4 L V8's 4-speed
automatic transmission was replaced with a new ZF Friedrichshafen AG-sourced
6-speed automatic transmission. HID headlights went from being standard
equipment to optional on the Ultimate model. The stability system was now
standard on all models. An Elite package for the Ultimate trim includes a
voice-activated touch screen DVD based Navigation system, THX audio system,
rear-seat entertainment DVD player, and HID headlights for 2006, the last year
of this generation.
In 2007, Lincoln updated the Navigator with a new front and rear fascia,
interior, and additional options.
