| It absolutely was a surprise that Lincoln find the tight | | | | steering with smooth transitions and low effort around |
| and twisty back roads of sleepy Santa Barbara, | | | | town, completing the dynamics transformation. |
| California, to commence the primary drive of the | | | | Much like the chassis, the outside receives an |
| luxurious new 2003 Navigator, as an alternative to an | | | | extensive makeover for 2003. When using the |
| expansive horse ranch or Beverly Hills country club. It | | | | exception with the roof panel and front doors, each of |
| absolutely was a straight bigger surprise the fact that | | | | the bodywork is completely new. In front, behold |
| jumbo SUV seemed as nimble on those roads | | | | Lincoln's signature grille, clear-lens quad-beam halogen |
| countless other, smaller vehicles. In addition to being | | | | headlamps, and integrated tow hooks and fog-lamps. |
| constructed out of wore on along with the miles | | | | For easier entry and exit, optional power running |
| accumulated, it became increasingly easy to overlook | | | | boards deploy each time a door is opened - sliding out |
| the Navigator's large size as a result of significant | | | | four inches through the rocker panel and three inches |
| changes to the chassis, steering, and Lincoln Navigator | | | | toward the rear - and retract should the doors are |
| suspension. It may not be a coincidence that ride and | | | | closed. The electricity-assisted lift gate can raise or |
| handling improvements are classified as the first things | | | | lower the door in about 10 seconds, and automatically |
| we noticed relating to this vehicle: Navigator engineers | | | | retracts should it encounter an obstacle (effectively |
| spent a substantial amount of time studying the Lincoln | | | | demonstrated when Lincoln Mercury Product Specialist |
| driving experience, and set out to achieve consistent | | | | Jim Cain confidently stuck his arm under the closing |
| driving dynamics surrounding the Lincoln line. Calling it | | | | gate). |
| "Lincoln DNA," engineers planned to create an | | | | Inside, seating surfaces are leather which has a milled |
| "addictive driving experience, unique for Lincoln" and | | | | pebble finish, floor and mats are plush carpet, A-pillars |
| embed it "across every vehicle in the lineup. It's this that | | | | and headliner are textured fabric, and also other |
| today's luxury vehicle customers expect," says | | | | surfaces, comprising the center panel, controls, |
| Engineering Director, Dr. Mike Renucci. | | | | switches, and components of trim are painted a |
| To make this happen new a higher level refinement, | | | | low-luster satin nickel color with sparing touches of |
| the Navigator has moved to somewhat of a fully | | | | chrome for a sophisticated appear and feel. Standard |
| boxed hydro-formed frame that may be 70 percent | | | | features include dual-zone climate control with auxiliary |
| torsion-ally stiffer than last year's classical frame for | | | | outlets and controls for your second- and third row |
| reduced noise, vibration, and harshness, even on rough | | | | passengers; two-driver memory setting for front |
| and uneven road surfaces. Which includes a more rigid | | | | power seats, mirrors, brake and accelerator pedals; |
| platform to hang from, a detailed-new air suspension | | | | AM/FM premium audio system with in-dash six-disc |
| may very well be fine-tuned to better balance ride | | | | CD changer; remote key-less entry with keypad; and a |
| comfort, off-road ability, and payload capability. The | | | | protracted Rear Park Assist system that uses the |
| revolutionary front and rear suspension assemblies | | | | variety of ultrasonic sensors and radar to detect |
| employ upper and lower control arms with | | | | obstacles when reversing. Split folding second- and |
| spring-over-shock load-leveling air springs and | | | | third-row seats boast three-point belts at each position, |
| monotube dampers as an alternative to the | | | | as well as the third-row seats can optionally |
| independent front / solid-axle rear configuration found | | | | power-fold with precisely the push of your mouse |
| in the prior Navigator and standard in the current | | | | button. A lower-tech contribution to the lux quotient, |
| Cadillac Escalade and Lexus LX 470. Navigator | | | | more extensive sound absorbing materials and better |
| replaces its previous recirculating ball system with a | | | | body sealing help supply a more quiet cabin. |
| carefully tuned rack-and-pinion setup for friction-free | | | | |