Lincoln Navigator Concept hints at 2018 model

Ford’s luxury marque, Lincoln, had a surprise debut at the 2016 New York Auto Show. The Lincoln Navigator Concept is the best look yet at the future flagship of the brand that is currently undergoing a re-do. However, the concept is fitted with two huge gull-wing doors on its either side, with cascading steps to enter the cabin.

Ford CEO Mark Fields says that these fancy doors were employed for the sole purpose of showing off the flexibility and size of the interior and he confirmed that these doors will not make it onto the production model. He also states that the design language of the new model is the same as that of their Continental concept which was unveiled at the 2015 New York Auto Show. The production model of the Navigator will soon follow, although the new corporate grille design means Lincoln’s recent MKC and MKX models are already outdated, in terms of front-end design at least.

The new design goes for classical elegance, with the mesh-grille face, 20-inch turbine-themed wheels and blacked-out pillars. The futuristic interior comes with an intercom system that allows communication between the three rows. Lincoln claims that they designed the car with family and safety in mind.

The Navigator will be available with a twin-turbo V6 good for “more than 400 hp,” as announced by Ford, but no other details have been released. We assume it will share at least some of its architecture with the all-aluminium Ford F-150 that will also form the basis of the next-generation Ford Expedition, and debut in 2017 as a 2018 model.

Keep track of updates in the Lincoln buyer guide.