Lincoln Aviator

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lincoln Aviator

Manufacturer:	Ford Motor Company
Production:	2003–2005
Successor:	Lincoln MKX
Class:	Mid-size luxury SUV
Body style:	4-door SUV
Platform:	FR U2
Related:	Ford Explorer Ford Ranger Mazda B-Series Mercury Mountaineer
Similar:	Cadillac SRX Infiniti FX Lexus GX Porsche Cayenne

The Lincoln Aviator was a mid-size luxury SUV from the Ford Motor Company's Lincoln-Mercury Division. It was introduced in 2003, and production ended in 2005. The Aviator was built exclusively at Ford's St. Louis Assembly plant in Hazelwood, Missouri. Its competitors included the Cadillac SRX, Lexus GX (launched at the same time as the Aviator), and Infiniti FX.

Prices for the Aviator ranged from US$ 39,940 for the base RWD model to US$ 42,890 for the AWD model.

There was little which differentiated the Aviator's styling from that of the larger Navigator, and this may have contributed to the Aviator's disappointing sales. Production of the mid-sized Aviator ended in August 2005. The last Aviator rolled off the assembly line on August 12, 2005. The Hazelwood plant was idled in March 2006.

Originally, the Aviator was supposed to be on hiatus for the 2006 model year and reappear based on the CD3 platform. However, Ford scrapped the Aviator name, and will be replaced by the mid/compact-based Lincoln MKX crossover SUV, which was unveiled at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. The MKX will be available for sale in the fall of 2006 as a 2007 model.

2003-2006 Engines:

2003–2006 — 4.6 L V8, 302 hp (225 kW)