2015 Lincoln Navigator completely redesigned and updated

Ford’s flagship Lincoln brand launches modernized flagship vehicle. It may help the Lincoln become a little less "exclusive."

The Lincoln Navigator is new for model year 2015 and will arrive at dealers later this year. The vehicle features changes to every major area. Most importantly, it will receive a more modern drivetrain. The front end look will also be streamlined and the interior upgraded beyond its already very luxurious level.

The new engine for the Navigator is the Ford brand’s EcoBoost 3.5 liter twin turbocharged V6. No longer the fuel efficiency choice for large Ford / Lincoln vehicles, the EcoBoost is considered by Ford and Lincoln to be the premium engine choice for trucks and full size sport utility vehicles. It has proven extremely popular with fans of the brand. It will produce over 370 HP and have 430 ft-lbs of twist to make towing easy and normal driving more economical. Lincoln will release final numbers later, but promises best in class towing.

The Navigator will still be offered in two versions of big. The Extended length version offers 128 cubic feet behind the first row which is roughly the size of your old college dorm room. Behind the first row two captains’ chairs are an option. The latest Synch MyLincoln Touch will be standard. The system has an 8 inch screen that is also the viewing area for the new rear camera system Lincoln employs. The Reserve Package offers a hand wrapped leather dash and much more leater throughout the entire vehicle including all three rows of seats. The wood trim can now be Premium Ziricote, a natural-grain wood new to the automotive industry. Lincoln points out that it is often used in luxury yachts. Fitting.

Exterior bling starts with standard 20 inch wheels and 22 inch wheels are available. The Lincoln split-wing grill is now the front fascia for the Navigator.

Elaine Bannon, chief engineer of the 2015 Navigator commented on the vehicle saying, “We have this iconic vehicle with untapped potential. Now it’s got more of what our customers want. It’s got the new Lincoln design DNA on the exterior, a redesigned instrument panel, a leather Reserve Package, 22-inch wheels. Once we were able to include all of those elements, I knew we had a winner.”

The untapped potential that Bannon refers to is sales that are, shall we say, “exclusive.” Lincoln sold just 375 Navigators last month. Trying to find the silver lining in that number is easy. Lexus sold only 356 of its full size LX sport utility vehicles that month, so Lincoln is way ahead, right?