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Lincoln unveils the 2020 Aviator (maybe)

By Andrew Hulse

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 28: The 2019 Lincoln Aviator SUV is unveiled at the New York International Auto Show on at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center March 28, 2018 in New York City. This is Lincoln's first plug-in hybrid vehicle.. Thousands of car enthusiasts, dealers, journalists and others will attend the annual event which is one of the largest auto shows in America. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 28: The 2019 Lincoln Aviator SUV is unveiled at the New York International Auto Show on at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center March 28, 2018 in New York City. This is Lincoln's first plug-in hybrid vehicle.. Thousands of car enthusiasts, dealers, journalists and others will attend the annual event which is one of the largest auto shows in America. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) /
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The Lincoln Aviator had a short run in the early 2000s and has now returned and is a hot piece of metal.  In my opinion, this is the best looking full sized 3-row vehicle out there right now.  Designers really hit the nail on the head.

That is… if this is what the final design looks like.  Lincoln says this is a production preview, so it may or may not be exactly what the “real” version will have.  If the production version looks this good, it will be the first American SUV I have ever considered for purchase.  My wife loves her BMW X5 but I would at least make her take it for a test drive.

This design exudes elegance and invokes an understated elegance, it is almost impossible to not see a fair amount of Land Rover design language incorporated here.  You can really see a very similar swooping roofline to the British marque.

What makes this special?

This Aviator is said to embody Lincoln’s direction in their cars with the understated elegance I mentioned above.  Whether you like the styling or not, though, the underpinnings and tech in the vehicle are what makes the Lincoln really exciting.

First and foremost, the drivetrain.  The Aviator will be equipped standard with Rear Wheel Drive and All Wheel Drive as an option.  This is a preview of the rumored drivetrain in the upcoming Ford Explorer.

This will also be the first time that Lincoln will offer a Plug-in Hybrid as well.  The Hybrid version will be equipped with a range extending engine as well.  The press release makes no mention of engine size other than it being twin turbocharged.

Use your phone as a key, no fob needed.

Lincoln is also showing off their new “Lincoln Way” app which will allow owners to use their smartphone to lock, unlock and start the vehicle with no need to have a key fob on your person.  There will also be the perennial Ford and Lincoln feature of the keypad on the B pillar by the door.   Just in case the app doesn’t work.

Next: 2019 Corvette ZR1 will do 0-60 in less than 3 seconds

“Production Preview”

I just hope this “production preview” is very true to what the actual production model will be.  In my opinion, the Continental gained all the excitement in concept form and lost most of the charm in the true production model.  I can only hope this doesn’t get watered down like the Continental did, listen to your fans Lincoln.

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