2020 Lincoln Aviator Debuts With 600 Lb-ft, Turbo-PHEV Powertrain

The LA Auto Show is already off to a hot start with plenty of hard to forget reveals, but Lincoln is hoping to make a big splash among the debuts with the new Aviator, a luxury SUV that promises to be everything that Lincoln should be.

What does that mean exactly? Well, it means we are seeing Lincoln exclusive elements, things that distinguish this Aviator from its humble Ford roots. It should be able to provide a smooth ride no matter the circumstances, even if you’re in a hurry.

Here’s how: it features an air suspension system that not only lowers and raises easy entry and exit or cargo loading but will also raise when you are in rough road conditions like snow or mud. That system also integrates a forward-facing camera that can scan the road ahead and pre-adjust the suspension to handle things like bumps or potholes.

That’s really next-generation technology, but the powerplants on tap here are also quite impressive. The Aviator will come in two flavors. Normal models feature a 400-hp 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine, which also features 400 lb-ft of torque. This vehicle will come with rear-wheel drive, or an available all-wheel-drive system and power is managed through a ten-speed automatic transmission.

There will also be a Grand Touring model that turns things up a little bit. It matches the V6 engine with an electrified setup to enable 450 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. It’s unclear just how far the Aviator will be able to run on electric power alone, so more information should be trickling out in the future.

These powertrains can be customized in a way with Lincoln’s unique drive modes: Normal, Conserve, Excite, Slippery and Deep Conditions. The Grand Touring model gets two specific EV focused modes: Pure EV and Preserve EV.

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Adding to the wow factor, owners can use a phone as a key for the Aviator. It can not only lock and unlock the vehicle but can also start and drive the car. The Phone as Key system also remembers users seat, mirror, and steering column positions.

In addition to all this technology is Lincoln’s Co-Pilot360 safety suite. It features a traffic jam assist that combines adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and speed limit recognition to make driving in the city much less stressful. There’s also an evasive steer assist that will help the driver avoid a collision. There’s also a rear braking assist and active park assist to help when its time to park or leave a lot.

The Aviator stays true to the concept we saw a short while ago with elegant lines and a sharp design. This three-row crossover also has a pretty dramatic interior too. There are also a few special Black Label themes that help make the Aviator look and feel like a truly special place.

See Also: 2018 Lincoln Navigator Black Label Review

As usual, you can expect an incredibly customizable power seat, with 30 way adjustability as well as massage functions. There are also 28 speakers on offer through the Revel Ultima 3D Audio System. The cabin also features a number of handy storage areas, plenty of USB ports for charging and even a wireless charging try.

Unfortunately, no pricing or availability information has been shared as of yet, which is a shame because the automaker told us pretty much everything else about the car. Keep your eyes peeled right here for more Aviator and LA Auto Show updates.

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