Lincoln Aviator 2002 test drive - 2005 SUV
Small aviation
Like clothing, an Extra-Large car usually looks baggy. But it is worth taking a smaller size, for yourself, as it becomes elegant and even stylish. Such is Lincoln Aviator If Lincoln Aviator put next to Lincoln Navigator, then they will look like two pitching. One (Navigator) - huge to disgrace, the second (Aviator) is also huge, but compared to the first it looks more friendly. Although, of course, this aggressive, fighting gabitus, as well as muscle mass did not share nowhere. What is not surprising, because Aviator was specially produced for those buyers who really like his big brother, but who does not have enough money. But the trouble is: it was not possible to achieve a significant price difference for the Americans. That is why the Lincoln division is going to remove Aviator from production in 2005, replacing it with a model with lower pipes and smoke older. In fairness, we note that in Moscow there is still a difference-it is $ 15--20 thousand.
To the envy of Concord. Taking the platform from Ford Explorer, and Navigator has the main chromosomal set, Aviator has its own style. Lincoln designers are at least insisting on this. Although, with a fluent visual acquaintance from the original dashes, you notice only a few other (than Navigator) horizontal headlights with turn signals integrated in them. But there is something to look closely, in the literal sense of the word. Immediately impressive lateral mirrors with arcmer -rotor, e -retro -regulation, heating and even memory are impressive. In the lower part of these multifunctional burdocks, there are still illumination of thresholds. And finally, when you turn on the rear gear, they themselves turn so that it is better to see what you have in the area of \u200b\u200bthe rear wheels.
Manual contact with the machine begins with the introduction of a PIN code into a digital lock, which turns the car into a large safe. This lotion is almost family for Lincoln, but the fact that ten years ago was a high -tech invention aimed at increasing safety now looks like a sweet tribute. You will also definitely set the door handles, massive, like a bodybuilder's paws. For the sake of interest, we then compared them with navigatorial ones - the latter seemed more thinly.
The interior finish - a combination of parts from nickel, leather and chestnut - is called Premium configuration, that is, it does not happen better. There is also Luxury, but for less money. And to Premium, the creators of the aviator on the occasion of the centenary of the flight of the Wright brothers added several more decorative elements from chromium, African leather and decorated all this with Kitty Hawk logos on the rear door and seats. This is the name of the area where the historical flight took place. All this splendor is proud of the Limited Edition, and it is mainly such cars that are sold in the Moscow market.
Those who are tuned to look for structural disadvantages in Aviator will have to try. But they are. And the first one - the backs of the driver’s and passenger chairs, according to the American tradition, have to be installed manually. This is strange, because the rest of them moves anywhere using an electric drive (control keys are not hidden somewhere below, but are located at hand, on the doors), and the convenient positions of the seats are fixed in the computer's memory. By the way, the settings of the rear view mirrors, as well as the height of the installation of pedals, remain in the memory. There are no complaints about the dual-zone climate control: he is available to both the driver and passengers of the 2nd and 3rd rows of seats, which can be entertained by watching DVD films or computer games. Although the monitor on the ceiling is not very large - only 7 inches. However, you will see DVD once, and the excellent sound of an audio system with a cassette, a 6-disc chainer, 7 columns, a subwoofer and duplicate steering wheel switches you will always hear settings. The audio system block closes with a lid from unkind eyes and is located in the upper part of the console, on which the diets tick with an analog dial.
The navigation system in Russia is still useless fun. But the Home Link system (its block right above the head of the driver), which allows you to simultaneously control both the garage gates, and the alarm, and the lighting of the house, you can try now. Only, as the Sales manager admitted to us, we will have to tinker with encoding.
I would be in the sky. Describing Aviator, it is easy to make a reservation and call it an autopilot. Smart systems, for example, monitoring tire pressure or engine temperature - in the case of overheating, half of the eight cylinders automatically turn off - relieve the driver from many worries. The ride should be fun. Everyone who rode Aviator notes its calm character, smooth move and proprietary softness of a comfortable, completely independent suspension of all wheels. However, this stick about the two ends: many people do not tolerate the Americans for this imposition and validity in corners. On all -wheel drive versions (and in Russia only such), the system of maintenance of the Advance Trac course stability is also placed.
Among other large cars, Aviator may well boast not only comfort, but also with its power. So, it is able to tow trailers weighing up to 3310 kg. According to sellers, Aviator is also noticeably more spacious than its competitors. For example, in distance to the ceiling above the front seats and legs space, it is generally the best in the class. No one can compare with him in the spaciousness that is offered for passengers of the third row. All rear seats are folded, which, of course, is very convenient for transporting goods. Instead of armchairs in the second row, a folding sofa is put by order, which allows you to take on board not six, but seven passengers.
Text Khasan Ganiev, photo Alexey Ilyin
Model/Modification Lincoln Aviator
Manufacturer/country Ford Motor Co./sha
ENGINE
Type/number/location of gasoline cylinders/8/V-shaped
Working volume (cubic cub) 4601
Power (kW (L.S.) at about./Min.) 225 (306) at 5750
Moment (nm at about./Min.) 407 at 3250
TRANSMISSION
Rear wheel drive/constant full
Gearbox five -speed automatic
Brakes, safety
Front/rear brakes ventilated disk/ventilated disk
Assistering electronic systems of ABS, electronic distribution of brake forces (EBD)
Front and side airbags in front, pouting curtains for the first and eight rows
Dimensions/mass
Length/width/height (mm) 4909/1887/1800
Wheel base/clearance (mm) 2889/195
Tires 245/65 R17
Mass weight/full (kg) 2270/2820
The volume of the fuel tank (L) 86
Maximum speed (km/h) 180
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) 10
Fuel consumption (city/highway, l/100 km) 18.0/13.0
Price in Moscow $ 75 500
Source: "Autopilot"