Test Drive Lincoln Navigator since 2006 SUV

Lincoln Town Truck

When the Lincoln Navigator luxury SUV first appeared before the public, he was immediately given a nickname - TOWN TRUCK (as opposition to the sedan Town Car of the same manufacturer). An even more, this definition will suit the Pickup Lincoln Blackwood, whose sales in the US began in July. Town Truck - City Pickup ...

In the form of the Lincoln Blackwood concept appeared in 1999 and since then has not missed a single car dealership, invariably attracting attention and visitors, and journalists. Motor also did not pass by - Blackwood flashed several times on the pages of the magazine. The beginning of the serial release is a good reason to return to the car, and at the same time to summarize the first impressions of those who have already managed to ride on it (we ourselves do it in the near future, unlikely, except that some desperate dealer will drag into Moscow a pick-up starting value $ 52.500 PLUS Custom screws on a considerable engine capacity plus your percentage).

Recall the story. Black tree roots go to Ford Pickup F-150. It was based on its basis that a sports-utilitarian Ford Expedition was built, and then his luxury brother Lincoln Navigator. Subsequently, the navigator was cut off the back of the passenger body and the cargo body was attached to her place - turned out Blackwood. The company in every way avoids the name of the pickup, offering instead the term luxury-utilitarian car, and the body name calls the trunk. (In the same way, Ford C model Explorer Sport Trac, CHEVROLET compartment - with Avalanche, and Cadillac - with Escalade Ext: Apparently, shy the working image of a pickup. But, no matter how cool, the body has a place ...)

Actually, he is the main distinguishing feature of Blackwood, attracting high attention to the car. Especially everyone likes a rigid plastic cover body cover with power drive and LED backlight. To get away from the traditional pickup, the back board did not fold, but swinging from two doors.

From the concept (Motor # 3, 1999) the serial car is distinguished by the absence of an African black tree in the bodywork - the company considered that natural planks will require too complex care, and replaced them with plastic. At the same time, the aluminum cladding of the sides was changed to a more practical stainless steel. Practical? The only thing that would log in to be placed in such a compartment is a champagne box. By the way, the lid rises not to the end, and it is impossible to remove it, so you can forget about the carriage of something relatively large ...

According to the Blackwood mechanics from Navigator (Motor # 11, 1997), it is practically no different if not considered a shortened passenger cabin, calculated strictly on four (rear passengers lost about 50 mm of foot space). V8 engine 5.4 liters develops 300 hp and 480 nm. The box is automatic, the rear suspension is a combination of leaf springs and pneumatic pillows with swaps that provide body alignment under load and reduce rolls in turns. Front - independent, on the levers of unequal length.

Unlike Navigator, four-wheel drive for Blackwood is not provided at all. This made it possible to noticeably lower the car, which added its appearance of stylish and dynamicity. However, you should not perceive Blackwood as a sports projectile. The corresponding indicators are quite acceptable - up to a hundred, the machine gets in 8.5 seconds, and a quarter of miles (400 m) from the spot goes for 16.2 seconds, reaching at the end of the dimensional segment of the speed of 135 km / h. But absolutely cotton steering, slow-down reactions and a large brake path (about 90 m from a speed of 110 km / h) quickly remind that the appearance of deceptive - under it there is a frameworking platform (weighs blackwood about 2.5 tons). These minuses are completely swimming with excellent comfort when moving along a good road and in reasonable high-speed modes ...

In the cabin - dark-dark as in the cave. Black leather, black plastic, black wooden inserts. Bucket seats are equipped not only heated, but also ventilation. The power drives are equipped with everything that can be - besides the backs of the seats. Pedal node adjustable. The car is barefacked: it suffices to say that the only option provided for it is a $ 2000 navigation system.

In part of the security, Blackwood builders moved: belts and pillows - the things you need, but door locks, locked with a loud knock, as soon as you turn on the transmission, annoy. Yes, and sit, listen to music in the parked car will be able only if the belt is fastened - otherwise the warning bell will get you.

Well, who will be the buyer of Lincoln Blackwood? Who needs a watch for $ 10,000? But they buy - and a lot. There are two simple considerations: first, I want, secondly, there is money. With the Pickup Lincoln Blackwood The situation is similar - will buy, will be.

According to the company's plan, mainly men are forty, with annual family income in the area of \u200b\u200b$ 200.000. True, they are not too much, they are not too much - no more than 10,000 cars intend to release. By the way, in the old Fords traditions are offered cars of only one color - black.

Text: Mikhail Vasilyev

A source: Motor Magazine [№8 / 2001]