Print Page - Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: BMWDave on October 27, 2005, 09:18:04 PM

(http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/il/news/2005/1027/lincoln.aviator.500.jpg)

REVEALED: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Date Posted 10-27-2005

DEARBORN ? Lincoln has released the first official photo of its all-new 2007 Aviator. The next-generation Aviator, which makes its debut in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, has a passenger-car base, unlike the current Aviator, which shares its underpinnings with the Ford Explorer.

The new Aviator was first seen earlier this year in concept form at the New York show. It will continue to be positioned below the Navigator in size and price.

A companion to the new Ford Edge, the '07 Aviator borrows heavily from the basic architecture of the Mazda 6 and will share some components with the new 2006 Lincoln Zephyr sedan. Power will come from a new twin-cam 3.5-liter V6 tuned to deliver about 250 horsepower. It will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Front-wheel drive will be standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. Both the Edge and the Aviator will be assembled in Oakville, Ontario.

What this means to you: Lincoln's Lexus fighter will rely heavily on Mazda underpinnings.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: TBR on October 27, 2005, 09:19:43 PM

Don't care for the design of the back anyway. And, 250hp seems a little weak.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: Secret Chimp on October 28, 2005, 12:41:33 AM

QuoteDon't care for the design of the back anyway. And, 250hp seems a little weak.

Probably didn't want to nail fuel economy in the ass by using more-than-adequate power.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: giant_mtb on October 28, 2005, 05:02:26 AM

It's too cute.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: ifcar on October 28, 2005, 05:08:40 AM

250 is fine with a good engine behind it. An RX330 makes only 223, and you don't see complaints about its power, and I'm looking at the RX as the biggest competitor in the 5-passenger upscale SUV market.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: giant_mtb on October 28, 2005, 05:16:06 AM

250 HP is more than enough for daily driving, even in an SUV. At least in my experience...and that's considering there's two SUV's in my family with less than 250 HP, and they do perfectly fine on the roads.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: ifcar on October 28, 2005, 05:23:35 AM

But they're not priced well over $30,000, where standards are higher.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: TBR on October 28, 2005, 07:31:10 AM

My concern is that the Rav4 has more, which means the RX will be getting 260-270hp when it is redesigned. Same with the MDX.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: cozmik on October 28, 2005, 07:43:59 AM

The pic there is fugly. It's like an odd cross between a B9, an XC90, and a beetle (like a real beetle, not the car).

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: ifcar on October 28, 2005, 02:10:49 PM

QuoteMy concern is that the Rav4 has more, which means the RX will be getting 260-270hp when it is redesigned. Same with the MDX.

250 should be sufficient if the engine is as good as the hype suggests. The RX330 will undoubtedly soon become the 268-hp RX350, but performance figures still up in the air.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: TBR on October 28, 2005, 02:12:39 PM

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens. But, I do know this much, the 3.5l had better be a better engine than the 3.0l is or Ford is in a pickle.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: ifcar on October 28, 2005, 02:19:23 PM

It would be hard for it not to improve. Another half-liter of displacement, another 47 horsepower, and a newer design couldn't make it anything but better.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: Catman on October 28, 2005, 08:30:22 PM

Actually, it's not too bad at all. B)

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: JYODER240 on October 28, 2005, 10:54:05 PM

I admire the design, its a little ackward, but at least it isn't bland like a RX330 or MDX.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: Colonel Cadillac on October 30, 2005, 04:43:56 PM

Looks fine to me, and 250HP seems perfectly adequate. I wouldn't be too surprised if it handled decently too.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: Catman on October 30, 2005, 05:22:29 PM

The shape is far more attractive than the Lexus IMO.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: thewizard16 on October 30, 2005, 08:05:44 PM

QuoteThe shape is far more attractive than the Lexus IMO.

Really? I thought the opposite, but I rather like the side profile of the RX.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: ifcar on October 31, 2005, 05:11:02 AM

I like the RX's front end, but the hatchback-on-steroids profile and the giant Altezza taillights ruin the overall look IMO.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: Raza on October 31, 2005, 10:23:27 AM

I get a lot of Tribeca in the shape. Anyone else?

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: ifcar on October 31, 2005, 02:05:16 PM

Not seeing any Tribeca.

(http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/il/news/2005/1027/lincoln.aviator.500.jpg)
(http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2006/Subaru/100531780/20024267-E.jpg)

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: Catman on October 31, 2005, 03:40:57 PM

QuoteNot seeing any Tribeca.

(http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/il/news/2005/1027/lincoln.aviator.500.jpg)
(http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2006/Subaru/100531780/20024267-E.jpg)

The silouette and wheel well arches are very similiar. As is the lower blacked out sills and lower bumpers.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: ifcar on October 31, 2005, 04:02:56 PM

(http://a904.g.akamai.net/7/904/506/v0011/images.autobytel.com/view/aic/SUBARU/B9TRIBECA/spe/usa_2006_subaru_b9tribeca_spe_4_x_exdrvrsd_x.jpg)
It doesn't look as though the Aviator will have the same downward slope of the roofline near the back of the car. The rear is also cleaner, has a taller bumper, and a shorter overhang.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: Catman on October 31, 2005, 04:07:22 PM

Of course there's differences but there is also alot of general similarities.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: ifcar on October 31, 2005, 04:11:28 PM

I don't even see similarities in the basic shape. The windowline is entirely different, the rooflines are different, and the profile seems to be quite different towards the rear. Not to mention slab-sided vs. edgy.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: Catman on October 31, 2005, 04:31:16 PM

QuoteI don't even see similarities in the basic shape. The windowline is entirely different, the rooflines are different, and the profile seems to be quite different towards the rear. Not to mention slab-sided vs. edgy.

That's fine iffy, you're allowed to feel that way. ;)

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: giant_mtb on November 01, 2005, 05:16:32 AM

I agree with Catman...I see quite a bit of resemblance between the two.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: crv16 on November 02, 2005, 10:52:52 AM

QuoteI like the RX's front end, but the hatchback-on-steroids profile and the giant Altezza taillights ruin the overall look IMO.

I agree.

The new Aviator has a much better appearance.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: ifcar on November 21, 2005, 03:39:15 AM

New spy shots:
(http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gallery/tmb/10422_JIQTCSDMJWCWS.jpg)
(http://www.thecarconnection.com/images/gallery/tmb/10423_UVDKOZHGMGUAS.jpg)

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enthusiast...S178.A9431.html (http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enthusiasts/Spy_Shots/Spy_Shots_07_Lincoln_Aviator.S178.A9431.html)

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: ichi_ban1 on December 06, 2005, 12:05:38 PM

I'll be interested to see how this one does and Ford's further plans to help Lincoln out.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: TBR on December 06, 2005, 12:09:52 PM

The interior looks pretty nice.

Title: Lincoln Pulls Back the Covers on '07 Aviator
Post by: Champ on December 06, 2005, 01:04:39 PM

looks too much like a minivan to me... they really changed the design of the car alot from the last years model.

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