1998 Lincoln Navigator

Destined for Lincoln-Mercury showrooms in summer 1997, the Navigator will become Ford Motor Company's premium full-size sport/utility. It will join the Mercury Mountaineer compact SUV and Mercury Villager front-drive minivan already on sale at L-M dealers.

This illustration is the first official acknowledgement of the Navigator, although planners and designers have been working on the concept for almost three years. The 205.0-inch-long upscale transporter shares its frame, much of its exterior sheetmetal, main suspension pieces, and powertrain elements with the full-size Ford Expedition, which was introduced for the '97 model year. The four-wheel-drive Navigator is about six inches longer than Chevy's full-size Tahoe but more than a foot shorter than its Suburban megawagon.

With a 30-gallon fuel tank and standard 5.4-liter/230-horsepower V-8 paired with a standard four-speed automatic transmission, fuel economy should be about 13/17 city/highway mpg. Expect decent acceleration, with a sprint to 60 mph in the low-10-second range-not too bad, considering the vehicle's hefty curb weight of somewhere around 5500 pounds. At 8000 pounds, the Navigator's tow capacity will be similar to that of the Expedition's.

Earlier hopes that the Lincoln might get Ford's 6.8-liter V-10 were dashed when company powertrain engineers explained that the 10-banger, to be used in the biggest Ford pickups and the full-size van, was too long for the engine bay. Nevertheless, the door remains open for a stronger four-valve version of the 5.4 engine, perhaps with better breathing provided by variable camshaft timing or a variable-geometry intake manifold.

Navigator front suspension bits are shared with the totally redesigned '97 F-150 pickup. These include unequal-length control arms and torsion bars. At the rear is a live axle located by trailing arms and a Panhard rod, and suspended by air springs. A full-time four-wheel-drive system is likely to be available. However, there's no final word yet on whether a 4x2 version might be offered for the Sunbelt.

Inside, the Navigator will provide seating for at least eight, with a second bench in the rear cargo area. Wood trim and leather also will be available. This premium on/off-roader is expected to go out the door for between $33,000 and $37,000. -Jack Keebler