{"id":21457,"date":"2017-12-01T11:55:44","date_gmt":"2017-12-01T15:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=21457"},"modified":"2017-12-01T11:55:44","modified_gmt":"2017-12-01T15:55:44","slug":"payne-lincoln-navigator-luxury-suite-on-wheels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2017\/12\/payne-lincoln-navigator-luxury-suite-on-wheels","title":{"rendered":"Payne: Lincoln Navigator, luxury suite on wheels"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div align=\"left\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/-mm-\/9ddb467e530c282d9c101d355e6531a65fc7e7f3\/c=504-0-3528-2268&amp;r=x404&amp;c=534x401\/local\/-\/media\/2017\/11\/29\/DetroitNews\/B99602282Z.1_20171129170845_000_GIU1OQ3RU.1-0.jpg\" alt=\"navigator_5door\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div><p class=\"speakable-p-1 p-text\">The Lincoln Navigator is a rolling condo. Big enough to comfortably seat six and sleep four, with lush interior trimmings, Wi-Fi connectivity and 30-way seats that make BarcaLoungers feel like lawn chairs, it shames most second homes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"speakable-p-2 p-text\">I have one criticism: Where\u2019s the fridge?<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">An icebox is about the only feature that is missing from this 181\/2-foot long, 61\/2-foot-high, $95,000 masterpiece of luxury. It needs to be. As Lincoln charts its premium comeback, it needs home runs like the Navigator to navigate the treacherous shores of six-figure luxury. An impressive navy of hulking battle ships sail these waters, including the Cadillac Escalade, Land Rover HSR, Mercedes GLS and Infiniti QX80.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Lincoln does not shy from the fight. It brings the big guns:<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">1. Big power from the same twin-turbo, 3.5-liter V-6 engine that beats at the heart of the Ford F-150 Raptor, the baddest truck ever built. Stomp the Navi\u2019s gas, and its roars like King Kong at dinner time. Call it the Lincoln Raptor.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-position-556\" class=\"partner-placement partner-spike\" data-monetization-id=\"native-article_link\" data-monetization-sizes=\"fluid,3,3\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-news-opinion-558\" class=\"ad-slot\">\n<div id=\"google_ads_iframe_7103\/mi-detroit-C1561\/native-article_link\/news\/opinion_2__container__\"><iframe id=\"google_ads_iframe_7103\/mi-detroit-C1561\/native-article_link\/news\/opinion_2\" title=\"3rd party ad content\" name=\"google_ads_iframe_7103\/mi-detroit-C1561\/native-article_link\/news\/opinion_2\" width=\"100%\" height=\"0\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\">2. Biggest towing capacity (8,700 pounds) in its class, courtesy of the same bones as the F-series, the most capable pickup hauler on the planet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">3. Biggest heads-up display.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">4. Biggest seating capacity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">5. Biggest moonroof.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">6. Biggest fuel economy numbers thanks to that turbocharged six \u2014 and Lincoln\u2019s first application of a 10-speed tranny (co-engineered with Ford and GM) that drives other rear-wheel drive performance powerhouses like the Camaro ZL1 and Raptor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">But if you think all this brawn makes the Navigator look like a sumo wrestler on steroids, you\u2019d be wrong. Because the remarkable thing about this land yacht is how elegant it is from stem to stern.<\/p>\n<div class=\"partner-outstream\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The grille is 10 stories high, but modeled after the same Jaguar-esque sculpture that first graced the Lincoln Continental and MKZ sedans. It\u2019s a piece of art (replacing the split-wing grille that always looked awkward on big utes \u2014 like wings on a rhino) with little Lincoln logos knitted into a honeycomb pattern. Anchored by a centered, giant Lincoln logo, the grille begins a theatrical welcome \u2014 \u201cEmbrace,\u201d it\u2019s called \u2014 when you approach the big ute.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The logo glows, lighting a path from the LEDs in the headlights, to the lighted door handles, and finally, Lincoln\u2019s signature, horizontal rear lights. Big, illuminated running boards unfold from beneath the car to meet you. To complete the introduction, the mirrors sport LED lights that project the Lincoln logo on the pavement \u2014 think of it as a welcome mat. It\u2019s a dazzling display that stopped passersby in their tracks one night in the lot where I parked.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">It\u2019s the best show this side of the Tesla Model X\u2019s automatic-driver system and falcon-wing doors. I pined for the original Navigator concept that\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=MVZHs9xVnFU\">dropped jaws at the 2016 New York Auto Show<\/a>\u00a0with its own gull-wing doors and cascading, fold-out, three-tier steps.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Given that Tesla\u2019s complicated falcon doors delayed production almost two years, it\u2019s probably best that Navigator left the gull-wings in the attic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The \u201cturbine wheels\u201d on my top-trim, Black Label $96,570 Navigator tester (hey, condos ain\u2019t cheap) are worth the added price. These pinwheels are a nice complement to the ute\u2019s long, horizontal lines. The English accent is unmistakable \u2014 from the Jag grille to the Range Rover floating roof and blacked-out C pillar.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">But the exterior gift wrap is for the real treat inside. Lincoln has been resolute in following its own premium path. While other luxury brands chase Teutonic athleticism (Caddy, Alfa and Acura), Lincoln claims \u201cquiet luxury.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">You won\u2019t find YouTube videos of camo-wrapped Lincoln\u2019s chasing Nurburgring lap records or jetting down drag strips posting ludicrous zero-60 times. Instead, Lincoln wants to sink you into a recliner, turn up the stereo and deliver you to your destination on a flying carpet. It works.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Easing into the Lincoln\u2019s interior is less like driving and more like settling into a wealthy pal\u2019s basement infotainment man cave. The 30-way thrones are exquisite with automatic, door-mounted adjustments for the head, upper and lower back \u2014 even each thigh. Only an ottoman is missing, though the Navigator\u2019s pedal adjusters are close enough. After you\u2019ve tweaked everything to your liking, the console screen will create a \u201cPersonal Profile\u201d that recognizes you (and two other drivers) each time you arrive at the club \u2014 er, SUV \u2014 and adjusts the cabin accordingly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">The front \u201cfloating console\u201d should be on display at Art Van. My tester console was laser-cut out of a maroon khaya wood; the mahogany\u2019s continuous grain runs across the cupholder and smartphone (recharging) compartments courtesy of Yamaha piano makers\u2019 laser-etching technique. I\u2019m not making this up. Speaking of piano keys, Lincoln\u2019s push-button, electronic tranny has been replaced by more workable \u201cpiano keys\u201d \u2014 an elegant touch, though I find GMC\u2019s similar \u201ctrigger\u201d transmission even better.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">In the middle of acres of stitched, wooded dashboard, an elegant, silver-rimmed tablet rises above the console \u2014 though the Lincoln\u2019s superb, steering wheel\/voice control-operated, digital instrument display meant I rarely had to take my eyes off the road to poke at its touch screen. Even the console-mounted drive modes \u2014 Conserve, Normal, Normal 4&#215;4, Slippery, Sport, Ocean Liner (making that last one up) \u2014 are introduced with colorful, digital graphics that might have come out of Lucas Studios.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Speaking of technology, the Navigator can park itself. Using hands-free, self-driving software pioneered on Ford\u2019s Escape, this ocean liner will parallel-park and perpendicular-park into the tightest of spaces. All you have to do is control the brake. Meanwhile, second- and third-row passengers can kick back in living-room comfort. Like the F-150, Navigator saves 600 pounds with an aluminum skin \u2014 but the Navigator has plowed its weight-savings into interior quiet and independent rear suspension for effortless motoring.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Both rows get USB ports and Wi-Fi connectivity (up to eight devices). Second-row passengers can also control the radio. Or occupants can just flatten the rear rows, go horizontal (at 6-foot-5 I fit easily), under the biggest moonroof in autodom, and stargaze. Mrs. Payne and I did.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Navigator chief program engineer Andrew Kernahan is a British ex-pat and says he\u2019d like to see Queen Elizabeth park her Land Rovers and try a Lincoln Navigator for a change.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">If she did it would be a national scandal. But she would also be treating herself to an SUV worthy of the crown.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne. Catch \u201cCar Radio with Henry Payne\u201d from noon-1 p.m. Saturdays on 910 AM Superstation.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>2018 Lincoln Navigator<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>VEHICLE TYPE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">FRONT-ENGINE, REAR- OR ALL-WHEEL DRIVE,<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">SEVEN- OR EIGHT-PASSENGER SUV<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Powerplant<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Transmission<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">10-speed automatic<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Weight<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">5,685-6,056 pounds (5,855 Navigator AWD as tested)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Price<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">$73,250 base ($96,570 \u2014 Black Label as tested)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Power<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">450 horsepower, 510 pound-feet torque<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Performance<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">0-60 mph, 5.2 sec. (Car and Driver est.);<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">8,700-pound towing capacity<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Fuel economy<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">EPA mpg est. 16 city\/23 hwy\/19 mpg combined (4&#215;2);<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">EPA mpg est. 16 city\/21 hwy\/18 mpg combined (4&#215;4)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Report card \u2605\u2605\u2605<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>HIGHS<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">STYLISH CONDO ON WHEELS; SELF-PARK FEATURE<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Lows<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"p-text\">Can a Lincoln command $90K?; piano shifter even better<\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\">if it used \u201ctrigger\u201d keys<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Overall: \u2605\u2605\u2605\u2605<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p-text\"><strong>Grading scale<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Lincoln Navigator is a rolling condo. Big enough to comfortably seat six and sleep four, with lush interior trimmings, Wi-Fi connectivity and 30-way seats that make BarcaLoungers feel like lawn chairs, it shames most second homes. I have one criticism: Where\u2019s the fridge? An icebox is about the only feature that is missing from [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21457"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21457"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21457\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21458,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21457\/revisions\/21458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21457"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21457"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21457"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}