Motor Authority - blog Category: Navigator

Lincoln will reportedly be taking a new approach to what sort of vehicles it produces, with plans to downsize vehicles in the wake of flailing sales of the Navigator SUV and other large cars. The new approach will see the American brand focusing on cars that will likely be the smallest Lincolns ever, an approach that some other luxury rivals have shied away from in fear of a U.S. market not ready for smaller cars yet.

For the immediate future, Lincoln could be planning a number of surprises to help return the brand to prominence. Spearheading this approach is rumored to be a new compact Lincoln based on a Ford platform, most likely the... Lincoln will reportedly be taking a new approach to what sort of vehicles it produces, with plans to downsize vehicles in the wake of flailing sales of the Navigator SUV and other large cars. The new approach will see the American brand focusing on cars that will likely be the smallest Lincolns ever, an approach that some other luxury rivals have shied away from in fear of a U.S. market not ready for smaller cars yet. For the immediate future, Lincoln could be planning a number of surprises to help return the brand to prominence. Spearheading this approach is rumored to be a new compact Lincoln based on a Ford platform, most likely the Focus' global platform, but whether or not Lincoln is sure of such a move remains uncertain. The brand has already explored the possibility of smaller cars for city dwellers via its concepts, but turning them into production vehicles could be a risk that Lincoln is not willing to take. Meanwhile, more likely to appear is a compact crossover based on an existing Ford platform that speculators are predicting could appear as early as 2011. While Lincoln is keeping its cards close to its chest, the smaller crossover could provide a change in brand image for Lincoln that would allow consumers to see the company capable of producing smaller cars. As for Lincoln's existing models, the MKZ sedan will be getting redesigned in 2012 or 2013, and will sit on Ford's global mid-size architecture alongside other mid-sized Ford models, reports Automotive News. The MKS meanwhile will get an exterior revamp close to the end of 2011, while a major upgrade is scheduled for 2014 or 2015. Lincoln's Navigator in the meantime has an uncertain future, and whether or not the company retains the massive SUV is anyone's guess - although with the discontinuation of earlier plans to upgrade the Navigator in 2011 we wouldn't be too surprised if it eventually goes the way of the Lincoln Town Car, which is almost certainly going to be scrapped after 2011. Read More

Just a couple weeks ago we brought you news of the new turn-by-turn GPS navigation software that would be coming to the Apple iPhone with the just-released OS 3.0 update, and now AT&T, the official carrier of the iPhone in the U.S., has released its official app, for free - but with a string attached.

That string is a $9.99/month service charge. While it's a slick way to distribute the high initial cost necessitated by the complex software and map licenses, it's also a recipe for spending more than the price of a standalone GPS unit over the course of a year or two.

Nevertheless, AT&T is geared up for widespread adoption of the app, and... Just a couple weeks ago we brought you news of the new turn-by-turn GPS navigation software that would be coming to the Apple iPhone with the just-released OS 3.0 update, and now AT&T, the official carrier of the iPhone in the U.S., has released its official app, for free - but with a string attached. That string is a $9.99/month service charge. While it's a slick way to distribute the high initial cost necessitated by the complex software and map licenses, it's also a recipe for spending more than the price of a standalone GPS unit over the course of a year or two. Nevertheless, AT&T is geared up for widespread adoption of the app, and has built a feature-packed experience to ensure users are satisfied. The software, written by Telenav GPS, has already been available on a number of phones and carriers, including the competitive Google Android-based T-Mobile G1. "With the new iPhone OS 3.0 software, we're expanding the advantages of true turn-by-turn navigation - both voice and on-screen directions - to millions more customers. We're bringing greater convenience to drivers and travelers nationwide, including providing regular, automatic updates to map information at no charge so customers have the latest at their fingertips," said AT&T's Mark Collins, vice president of voice and data products. So how does it rate as an actual GPS device? The initial reports are good, with voice prompting, points of interest, automatic re-routing, speech recognition, and on-screen controls and displays all easy to use, complete and familiar. One weakspot: no mounting hardware is made available with the app, so you'll have to source your own if you want to put the new AT&T Navigator software to use on the road. Read More

Ford’s venerable luxo-barge, the Lincoln Navigator, has been updated for the 2009 model year, receiving a host of new features as well as a slightly more fuel efficient powertrain. The big news is the addition of a power lift gate, heated seats, parking sensors, a 14-speaker stereo, and E85 flex-fuel capability, all fitted as standard as part of Lincoln’s plans to simplify packaging for the Navigator and Navigator L models.

The list of standard items don't end there as the 2009 model also comes with rain-sensing wipers, a rear-view camera, and a six-month introductory subscription to SIRIUS satellite radio at no extra cost when... Ford’s venerable luxo-barge, the Lincoln Navigator, has been updated for the 2009 model year, receiving a host of new features as well as a slightly more fuel efficient powertrain. The big news is the addition of a power lift gate, heated seats, parking sensors, a 14-speaker stereo, and E85 flex-fuel capability, all fitted as standard as part of Lincoln’s plans to simplify packaging for the Navigator and Navigator L models. The list of standard items don't end there as the 2009 model also comes with rain-sensing wipers, a rear-view camera, and a six-month introductory subscription to SIRIUS satellite radio at no extra cost when equipped with Ford’s next-generation satnav system. The new navigation system is available for the first time with SIRIUS Travel Link, which gives drivers and passengers access to information real-time traffic data, weather reports, cheapest fuel prices from more than 120,000 stations, sports scores and movie listings from more than 4,500 theaters across the United States. Peak output of 300hp (224kW) and 365lb-ft (494Nm) of torque comes from the familiar 5.4L three-valve Triton V8 engine, with drive sent to all four wheels via a new six-speed automatic. The wide-ratio gearbox has smaller steps between gears than a typical four-speed automatic, offering improved shift quality and faster acceleration. Combined with new fuel-mapping software, the addition of the more efficient gearbox sees fuel-economy rise to 14mpg in the city and 20mpg on the highway for the RWD models – up from 12mpg in the city and 18mpg on the highway for the 2008 model. Other changes include the addition of three new colors, Monterey Grey, Sangria and White Platinum, as well as optional black carpet and ebony wood trim on the Monochrome Limited package.2009 Lincoln Navigator Read More