Return of the Lincoln Aviator Rumormill Starts
06-09-15, 02:19 PM
#1
Return of the Lincoln Aviator Rumormill Starts
Could Aviator, Not Continental, Begin the End of Lincoln’s Alphabet Soup Naming Scheme?
If rumors prove true, Lincoln could end its love affair with MK alphabet soup names with a new Aviator based upon the new Ford Explorer.
According to a second-hand source, TTAC has been told Ford engineers are working on a project internally called ‘Aviator’ based on the new Explorer. The source also stated there will not be a next-generation Ford Flex and will kill off the Lincoln MKT in the process.
A switch to the Aviator name, supported by recent trademark filings for the name, could be the first in many name changes at Lincoln. In April, Ford President of the Americas Joe Hinrichs said he was “very excited about the Continental name and the attention it’s gotten.” However, it could be the Aviator – not the Continental – to get the name change ball rolling.
In addition to the Aviator information, our source also stated the next Expedition and Navigator would get the 10-speed automatic transmission and an all aluminum body, making the full-size SUVs more efficient and lighter than their key competitors at General Motors.
In an email, Stéphane Cesareo, spokesman for Lincoln, said, “We do not comment on speculation. MKT continues to be present in our lineup, with a new model in 2015. By 2020, we expect to expand the segments that we participate in by adding two new nameplates to the Lincoln brand. We have not provided any indications about the products or their names.”
According to a second-hand source, TTAC has been told Ford engineers are working on a project internally called ‘Aviator’ based on the new Explorer. The source also stated there will not be a next-generation Ford Flex and will kill off the Lincoln MKT in the process.
A switch to the Aviator name, supported by recent trademark filings for the name, could be the first in many name changes at Lincoln. In April, Ford President of the Americas Joe Hinrichs said he was “very excited about the Continental name and the attention it’s gotten.” However, it could be the Aviator – not the Continental – to get the name change ball rolling.
In addition to the Aviator information, our source also stated the next Expedition and Navigator would get the 10-speed automatic transmission and an all aluminum body, making the full-size SUVs more efficient and lighter than their key competitors at General Motors.
In an email, Stéphane Cesareo, spokesman for Lincoln, said, “We do not comment on speculation. MKT continues to be present in our lineup, with a new model in 2015. By 2020, we expect to expand the segments that we participate in by adding two new nameplates to the Lincoln brand. We have not provided any indications about the products or their names.”
06-09-15, 02:27 PM
#2
Moderator
Lincoln will have to change the MKC back to Mariner...
06-09-15, 02:54 PM
#4
Always liked the short lived Aviator, with its standard Modular 4.6L V8 also found on the Mustang Mach 1 and Mercury Marauder. However it was a little expensive and lacked features its key competitors had. I'd like to think a new iteration of the Aviator could eventually supersede the MKT and be better suited to take on this segment.
06-09-15, 04:13 PM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
If Mercury does bring back the Aviator, it will be interesting to see where that fits in with the upcoming, all-new MKX....and if the two end up taking sales from each other.
True, Ford manages to market (and sell) the Explorer, Edge, Escape, and Flex all together, but Ford's huge sales volume can absorb it (those four apparently don't rob sales from each other). Lincoln, though, doesn't have that big sales volume to fall back on....and they already have the MKC, MKX, and MKT (not counting the Navigator) in their SUV lineup. The Aviator could end up making a crowd.
True, Ford manages to market (and sell) the Explorer, Edge, Escape, and Flex all together, but Ford's huge sales volume can absorb it (those four apparently don't rob sales from each other). Lincoln, though, doesn't have that big sales volume to fall back on....and they already have the MKC, MKX, and MKT (not counting the Navigator) in their SUV lineup. The Aviator could end up making a crowd.
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06-09-15, 05:01 PM
#8
If Mercury does bring back the Aviator, it will be interesting to see where that fits in with the upcoming, all-new MKX....and if the two end up taking sales from each other.
True, Ford manages to market (and sell) the Explorer, Edge, Escape, and Flex all together, but Ford's huge sales volume can absorb it (those four apparently don't rob sales from each other). Lincoln, though, doesn't have that big sales volume to fall back on....and they already have the MKC, MKX, and MKT (not counting the Navigator) in their SUV lineup. The Aviator could end up making a crowd.
True, Ford manages to market (and sell) the Explorer, Edge, Escape, and Flex all together, but Ford's huge sales volume can absorb it (those four apparently don't rob sales from each other). Lincoln, though, doesn't have that big sales volume to fall back on....and they already have the MKC, MKX, and MKT (not counting the Navigator) in their SUV lineup. The Aviator could end up making a crowd.
Not necessarily. The Aviator would likely be a full size seven passenger crossover replacing the MKT. MKC and MKX would stay as they are compact and midsize respectively and both seat five. Navigator is truck based and continues to seat up to 8. The Aviator name and a less controversial design than the MKT's could likely move more.
06-09-15, 06:08 PM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
Lincoln
Not necessarily. The Aviator would likely be a full size seven passenger crossover replacing the MKT. MKC and MKX would stay as they are compact and midsize respectively and both seat five. Navigator is truck based and continues to seat up to 8. The Aviator name and a less controversial design than the MKT's could likely move more.
Not necessarily. The Aviator would likely be a full size seven passenger crossover replacing the MKT. MKC and MKX would stay as they are compact and midsize respectively and both seat five. Navigator is truck based and continues to seat up to 8. The Aviator name and a less controversial design than the MKT's could likely move more.
06-09-15, 07:08 PM
#10
Lexus Champion
As I recall, the Aviator was just a gussied-up Ford Explorer and a poor step-child to the Navigator. It wasn't differentiated enough from the Ford. I think Lincoln has learned their lesson, but if they do ressurect it they had better put further distance between it and the Ford this time.
06-10-15, 12:06 AM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
You had the Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer, and Lincoln Aviator. All three were Ford Explorers with varying trim levels. I liked the Aviator. It had the cleanest and classiest lines of the bunch and sold quite well here in SoCal. Bringing it and the name back would be a good move. But naming ANY Lincoln a name and not three similar looking letters is a great move.
06-10-15, 01:32 PM
#12
This is going to be likely based on the upcoming modular D6 platform, which is not planned until about 2019. This is why the new Continental will be FWD-based and utilize AWD in place of that. Ford could not justify delaying the MKS replacement until 2019, as that would mean a 10 year life-cycle for the current model. Only Lexus can do that.
06-10-15, 08:14 PM
#13
Lexus Champion
This is going to be likely based on the upcoming modular D6 platform, which is not planned until about 2019. This is why the new Continental will be FWD-based and utilize AWD in place of that. Ford could not justify delaying the MKS replacement until 2019, as that would mean a 10 year life-cycle for the current model. Only Lexus can do that.
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