Cadillac Goes Small At 2018 New York Auto Show, Lincoln Went Large With Aviator Concept
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Cadillac revealed perhaps its most important product in years at the 2018 New York Auto Show: the 2019 XT4 compact crossover. Across the show floor, its American rival, Lincoln, also had a utility vehicle to show off, but it’s a very different animal.
Ford Authority was on hand to cover the Lincoln Aviator concept’s debut, and the vehicle has us hoping Cadillac’s future large crossover doesn’t copy the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave.
Why? The Aviator will feature Ford’s new D6 platform, a rear-wheel-drive based architecture also capable of supporting all-wheel drive. The platform also allows the Aviator concept to take advantage of wonderful proportions with a planted look and stretched dash-to-axle ratio. It also shows Lincoln didn’t have just a one-hit wonder on its hands with the incredibly well-received Lincoln Navigator.
In terms of its size, Cadillac doesn’t have a vehicle at current to compete with the future Aviator. The SUV will boast three rows and potentially share some running gear with the next Ford Explorer, which should also feature the D6 platform. The future Cadillac XT6 will likely be the Aviator’s direct rival from Cadillac, though we have a feeling, as mentioned, it will be a C1-platform twin and share plenty with the Traverse and Enclave.
Lincoln plans to offer a plug-in hybrid version of the Aviator and the production car will likely share many of the technologies the concept previews, such as phone-as-key technology, a suite of active safety systems—powered by Co-Pilot360—and “prompts” delivered via SYNC. The prompts will have drivers overcome various situations.
For example, if the Aviator realizes its running low on fuel, it will connect the navigation system to punch in coordinates for the closest fuel station.
It’s unclear when we’ll see Cadillac’s answer to the Aviator, but Lincoln plans to roll the handsome SUV out to market in 2019.
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I wish Lincoln stop using production based concept previews and just show the actual vehicle for once. A total waste of time and money. I’m glad GM and Cadillac stop doing this nonsense and silliness a long time ago, though Cadillac was more concept oriented than production concept oriented.
More than likely, 80%-90% will carry over to the actual model once revealed. Once they show the actual model, a lot of people will moan and not get as excited just like the past previews of Continental and Navigator, production-based concepts to product.
The technology of the Aviator is impressive and I hope that the actual model have those technology features make it to production while the Navigator get those technologies next year or two.
Style-wise, the interior is excellent but it is not a runaway success. Few cheap plastic buttons on the door should be piano black or brushed aluminum. And Lincoln outta be ashamed of themselves of having cheap plastic buttons on the door that control the seats. They can’t fancy up the buttons for their seat controls on the door? They come off as cheap looking.
The exterior is a imitation of Jaguar, Durango and Range Rover. Not too impressed.
However, I am glad Lincoln will have a true authentic rwd model in a long time since the LS ended in ’07 to hopefully turn Lincoln around little at a time.
Folks, listen. It is not about Lincoln vs. Cadillac and vise versa. It is about Lincoln and Cadillac stealing European ownership away from Germany, British, Japan and etc. and have someone to look at one of the storied American luxury nameplates. Whoever takes home a Cadillac or Lincoln over Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Jaguar, Lexus, Land Rover, Infiniti, Acura and etc., its a win for both Lincoln and Cadillac and the consumer whoever forks their money to buy either. It won’t happen overnight but Lincoln and Cadillac will have a sizable share of the market in the future like the competitors across seas do now. It is an excellent time to be a Cadillac and Lincoln fan, though I wish Lincoln have original exterior designs that stand out like Cadillac.
I wish i could give this guy 10 thumbs up! The last paragraph sums up basically what i think,,, pitting Cadillac vs Lincoln is just silly considering there are many competitors.. I see signs on pick up truck saying shit like “i rather push my Chevy than drive a ford” . that is the note of the ultimate idiot. That same person would buy a Japanese vehicle the moment he / she becomes disillusioned by his favorite American brand.
Regarding the Aviator, it looks like a home run for Lincoln. Regarding its look, take look at the profile of the explorer (perimeter only), its not really all that different. Of course the people working for Jaguar / Land Rover and Ford all use to work together and certain shapes were identified and put in place many moons ago.. Dodge Durango Lights, whatever?