The Lincoln Aviator Concept Proves Once Again that Lincoln Knows Exactly What They Are Doing

"DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" (daft-ryosuke) 03/28/2018 at 00:49 • Filed to: Lincoln, Aviator, Lincoln Aviator, First Look

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No matter what side of the luxury grid you fall on, you have to take special attention to Lincoln, who seem to be trying their hardest to kickstart a renaissance that has only proven to be timid at best. Their current solution of retro-styled luxury seems to be working well, however, and the new Lincoln Aviator concept is another shining example of why.

The Aviator concept showcases what to expect from Lincoln’s upcoming MKT replacement for the mid-size crossover market. Based upon the Ford Explorer, it borrows its name from the previous Aviator, an SUV which I liked a lot for its use of its bigger brother, the Navigator’s design cues in a smaller package. Luckily, Lincoln seemed to like that philosophy too, as the family lineage is quite strong in this thing. It’s downright gorgeous.

Yes, admittedly there are cues of Range Rover here and there, but I really cannot complain when you’re taking themes from what I believe to be one of the best-looking SUVs on the market right now. But as I was saying, as with the Navigator, the lines and themes here command so much presence and style. Lincoln is really making it hard to be a Cadillac fan right now, I can tell you that from the get-go. And it of course gets better when you look at the interior, which, even though not as plush and Brougham-esque as the Navigator, still screams of a vehicle which costs 5x the price.

Yes, Lincoln is certainly doing the right thing here, and with this Aviator, it will certainly be a beautiful change of pace in the crossover market. Hopefully, this beauty of a machine will attract more buyers, and Publix parking lots will now be much, much more stylish.

Amoore100 > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 00:53

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Budget Velar?

For Sweden > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 00:55

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Body on Frame or Shoddy and Lame

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > Amoore100 03/28/2018 at 00:56

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Certainly looks like it, not that that’s a bad thing by any means.

SaabStutz > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 01:01

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Wow. This is beautiful. Lincoln’s on a roll.

Now if they hadn’t screwed up the Contintental they might have some cool sedans too. Looks like they may be becoming a luxury crossover/SUV brand like Range Rover.

Spanfeller is a twat > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 01:02

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I thought they would fuck it up, like the pre face lift MKZ (it was too similar to the Fusion) But. they. actually. did. a. good. job.

wafflesnfalafel > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 01:12

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very nice - great looking rig

AestheticsInMotion > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 01:16

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That’s funny... I would have said Lincoln is one of the Manufacturers with the LEAST idea of what they’re doing.

This looks great, but it’s only a concept. Unfortunately they have a track record of watering down their stylish, super unique concepts into something that’s.... Nice.

Spanfeller is a twat > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 01:22

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Come on! give us a butt shot!

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 01:27

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Nice minivan. Does it AWD?

Gerry197 > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 01:48

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I immediately thought gorgeous and then realized how much the rear end silhouette is from a Range Rover Velar. However, I don’t care, it’s something I would actually consider buying.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > Gerry197 03/28/2018 at 01:54

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Comparing it to the Velar is like saying some random guy looks like Ryan Gosling...I’d say it’s more of a compliment.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > Spanfeller is a twat 03/28/2018 at 01:56

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Since you asked nicely.

Gerry197 > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 02:03

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Sure, but a copy, which is considered a negative thing to do.

Though I’m not comparing the whole car to the Velar, just the rear silhouette. When you look at it from the front or front quarter middle, it looks nothing like a Velar.

Nauraushaun > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 02:40

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Concept or production? It’s very nice, I hope it sells. Better than that sedan they make that nobody buys whose name I cannot remember.

TFen > AestheticsInMotion 03/28/2018 at 02:55

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If the (production) 2018 Navigator is anything to go off of, I don’t think you’re giving them enough credit.

This “concept” looks to be more of a pre-production model. If it’s released within a year, I doubt it changes much at all.

The interior is very similar to the 2018 Navigator, so no reason to assume they couldn’t put what we’re seeing in the Aviator concept into production.

2018 Navigator (above) compared to the 2016 concept (below). Pretty damn close.

arl > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 06:37

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Meh, a boxy Ford SUV with a Lincoln grill. These things are all interchangeable to me.

boxrocket > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 06:45

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That thing looks great.

I read somewhere that Lincoln is planning on doubling its product portfolio, which is exciting to say the least.

*edit: Some sites are saying this IS RWD-based?! Yay!!!

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 07:04

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Now that is very pretty. And I’m not a fan of the Lincoln vehicles. But I gotta hand it to them, that looks good.

merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc > Gerry197 03/28/2018 at 07:07

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At least they picked a good vehicle to copy. You get to a point where you can’t make things too much different. The package won’t allow it.

Arrivederci > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 07:41

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I really like it! Like others have said - very Range Rover-esque in profile.

RangerSmith > For Sweden 03/28/2018 at 08:16

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If its based on the current Ford Explorer, than prepare for unibody.

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 08:29

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I like it. I like it a lot.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 08:31

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What are you, a Jalopnik writer? In the midst of shitposting this looks out of place. Moar!

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 08:54

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Love the fact that they brought back the Aviator name instead of some random MK MX shit.

Not my kind of car even but it’s a very handsome design especially from the front 3/4th.

Now Give me my damn Mustang-based sedan!

Matt Nichelson > Amoore100 03/28/2018 at 08:58

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In money terms no. The Velar starts right at $50k and I imagine the Lincoln will be close to that.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 09:11

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Much like with the Navigator, I like this. A lot.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Amoore100 03/28/2018 at 09:43

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Honestly? It might be in the same ballpark price-wise. I’ll have mine 8 years from now, haha. Advantage? It’ll have Ford bits, that are cheaper than RR bits.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 03/28/2018 at 10:05

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I try.

Maxima Speed > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 03/28/2018 at 10:50

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This is very nice and will sell well.

Maxima Speed > SaabStutz 03/28/2018 at 10:51

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How dare you, the Continental looks amazing!

SaabStutz > Maxima Speed 03/28/2018 at 22:25

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I agree but with a twist! It just doesn’t have a presence the way this does:

It could have been so much better! It just looks so pedestrian for how expensive it is:

And that’s a shot from their website! I can’t even tell you what it is. I thought it was great in pictures and then I saw one on the streets the other day and it just felt boring.

Maxima Speed > SaabStutz 03/28/2018 at 22:52

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Compared to the concept, oh yes it could have been way better, probably has to do with platform limitations. I will say though, the interior is amazingly high end. I looked at one in the dealership and was impressed by the “rich” feel.