rmc523 Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Yeah, as I said before, I think the problem I have with it are those concept elements, which are throwing the overall look off for me because I'm trying to picture the production version. Definitely agree about the tablet look for the nav screen.....I absolutely hate that trend. It really makes it look like an afterthought. And you know what, after seeing live pictures of it, I like it a lot more. The press photos make it look more bloated in certain areas than it actually is in person (at least based on pictures). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Another question. Will there be a LWB edition? I would think there would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 I would think there would be. Since this probably doesn't share sheetmetal (or even a top-hat) with Expedition, is there a need for two variants? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Since this probably doesn't share sheetmetal (or even a top-hat) with Expedition, is there a need for two variants? Well, Escalade still has the ESV. I don't know how sales of the L are, as Lincoln doesn't break them down like Caddy does with the Escalade and Escalade ESV, so it's hard to know what they're thinking. I'm thinking we will see one as I said above, however, one element that leans in favor of them not having one could be the roofline with its taper. It looks great, but I wonder if it might make it difficult to add an L version, as it'd be more difficult to just add more length to the body while maintaining the taper. Looking at it again, they might be able to throw more length in before the rear wheel (which they do on the current one). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Since this probably doesn't share sheetmetal (or even a top-hat) with Expedition, is there a need for two variants? Also, I think have an L version available also helps make the Expy EL's case that much more viable. Meaning they're able to use the same wheelbase on two vehicles rather than one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbalek Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 (edited) This video really shows off some of the great design features: Edited March 23, 2016 by hbalek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 (edited) A tapered roofline would complicate an extended length choice...I would assume. And there is more involved than that, such as new rear doors for the lengthened wheelbase and the unique interior trim. You essentially have to design two separate vehicles for what is likely a small audience. It makes sense if you're sharing EVERYTHING with the Ford which can benefit from the 'bus' variant...although I can imagine that being shelved as well which was a late add anyway for a vehicle that sells in far fewer numbers today. Edited March 23, 2016 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Is this going to be enough to dislodge the Escalade? Not sure. Remember that GM's got a whole plant dedicated to their full size SUVs, while Ford's only using a short run of separate assembly space at KTP to build the Expy & Navi (along with a common body shop and a common assembly line past the body/frame marriage point) Pretty sure this is still BOF. It's enormous. Way too early to say. I get the feeling Lincoln won't have more sales then Escalade but maybe the ATP's will be better. That said, I don't think Lincoln again will not produce noticeably more units then what they are now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hbalek Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 This video also shows good details of the design Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StangBang Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Not a bad concept. The grille is ridiculously too tall. The bottom of it needs to be brought up a bit. The gullwing doors are just for show. I can see it with regular doors and those multiple side steps are really not a far fetched idea. Digging the roofline and greenhouse designs okay. Interior looks production feasible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pffan1990 Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Front wheel drive? Think about that one for a minute.... Not sure if it is front drive but kinda looks it. Looks like a literal Continental SUV. However if they do make it front drive for retail market to replace the MKT while keeping MKT as fleet-only, then I guess that'd be fine. Just as long as Expedition stays true BOF rear drive based on new F-150. We'll see at later on press conference. For those that would like it in black: Let me know if you'd like to see it in any other colors, and I'll be happy to do them tomorrow. Great job with the black. I love bright green like the previous generation Mustang's Gotta Have It Green color. If you have time, could you do a quick Shop job with bright green Navi? Thanks!!! --- Also, I see some comments regarding the Gullwing doors used for photography purposes. That makes sense. My Internet connection is slow now as it does sometimes so I'll check out the YouTube clips of the Concept later in the morning when the connection gets back to normal. I guess my disappointment is just the initial reaction to it after all the comments from some publications saying it is shocking and 'stealing the show'. I'll just wait for the press conference to hear the actual details of it regarding platform, engine info (as torque for example), etc. as well as trying the videos again later to let it all sink in. I think I was expecting a truckish Navi in Pre Production form, not this style in Concept form. That's what happens when I set my hopes up. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extreme4x4 Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 I will be curious to find out how much weight it lost over the current Gator. That kind of information will probably not be available until the production version is shown. Bummer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 It looks good, but the front end looks a bit wonky to me..mostly dealing with the grill. I'm sure it will be slightly toned down in production. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Lover Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 (edited) This makes me really anxious for the eventual Aviator. If these elements are applied to an Explorer-sized vehicle, I think they will look even better. For me, the Navi concept bodes well for the Aviator. And perhaps for the reskinned MKC when the time comes. Edited March 23, 2016 by Harley Lover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbone Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 If the production version of the Navigator is close to this concept, sign me up. The lines are good and I don't anticipate this being a rebadged Expedition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 One of the things that bothers me about amateur car "designers" on the net is their "designs" are often constrained to using bits and pieces of other people's designs (See the MkT rendering on this sit for instance.) That's how I feel about this concept. The front is an awkward stretch of the Conti front, the tailgate is not much better than the current Navi (The MkC remains the high point for Lincoln, the MkX is marginally worse) and the sides, well, are pretty derivative. Someone could have put this design together in Photoshop, and that is not a good thing. (In fact, the previously mention MkT rendering is not far off) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 They were quiet about the platform though... . CD6?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 . CD6?? Clearly it's on S550. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pioneer Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Not a fan. But I'm not the target market. Hope they sell a million of them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker16 Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 (edited) Is this going to be enough to dislodge the Escalade? Not sure. Remember that GM's got a whole plant dedicated to their full size SUVs, while Ford's only using a short run of separate assembly space at KTP to build the Expy & Navi (along with a common body shop and a common assembly line past the body/frame marriage point) Pretty sure this is still BOF. It's enormous. KTP has a separate line for the EXPY/Navi Separate Body, Trim, Chasis. the Expy and Navi took the place of the Excursion http://www.at.ford.com/news/cn/ArticleArchives/NewEraofFlexibleManufacturingBeginsatFord%E2%80%99sKentuckyTruckPlantinLouisville.aspx New Era of Flexible Manufacturing Begins at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant in LouisvilleApr-23-2009 12:00 AM ET Print View Ford Expedition LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 23, 2009 – Ford Motor Company has completed a $200 million investment in the retooling of its Kentucky Truck Plant for production of the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator. The retooling includes the installation of a flexible body shop that will allow the plant to produce more fuel efficient 2009 model Expedition and Navigator SUVs alongside popular Ford F-Series Super Duty pickups. The Kentucky Truck Plant makeover is part of a move by Ford toward leaner and more flexible manufacturing across its North American plant lineup. Moving production of the Expedition and Navigator to Kentucky Truck Plant paves the way for the conversion of the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, which is currently being retooled to begin production in 2010 of the next-generation Ford Focus, one of several new fuel-efficient global small cars coming from Ford in the next few years. The Lincoln Navigator, North America’s original luxury full-size SUV, has been delivering uncompromising levels of luxury and capability since 1998. The Ford Expedition combines classic Ford Truck design with functionality and interior refinement for consumers who need the flexibility of an SUV. Through a combination of architectural changes and systems engineering enhancements, fuel efficiency has been increased this year for the Expedition and Navigator to an EPA-estimated 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway on 4x2 models. “We are moving very quickly to transform our manufacturing operations to allow us to respond to consumer demand,” said Jim Tetreault, Ford vice president, North America Manufacturing. “We were able to swiftly retool Kentucky Truck with a flexible body shop, which sets the stage for the transformation of Michigan Assembly Plant.” The new flexible body shop came to Kentucky Truck from a closed Ford assembly plant in Norfolk, with additional components brought in from Michigan Assembly. “The changeover took us about seven weeks,” said Joseph Bobnar, Kentucky Truck plant manager. “In terms of retooling and bringing in new equipment, we had a very aggressive schedule to follow. This is the way we do business now; we’re faster and more efficient.” An incentives package passed by the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority helped Ford make the $200 million investment needed to retool Kentucky Truck. “The incentives package was instrumental in helping us invest in a flexible body shop,” Tetreault said. “Working together with our government partners was a key enabler in allowing us to quickly and efficiently move the new production to Kentucky.” The heart of Ford’s manufacturing transformation is based on flexible operations, using reprogrammable tooling in body shops, standardized equipment in paint shops and a common-build sequence in final assembly, enabling production of multiple models in one plant. With standardization comes increased repeatability and improved ease of access, resulting in improved safety, ergonomics and quality. Kentucky Truck added a second trim shop as well as third shifts in the body, paint and stamping areas to handle the increased production. Approximately 450 Ford employees recently transferred to Kentucky Truck, bringing the number of total employees to roughly 4,000. The added employees transferred primarily from the Louisville Assembly Plant and the former Michigan Truck Plant. Each employee has received extensive orientation and several days of on-the-job training. But the training preparation began long before the new employees started their shifts. “We did a lot of front-end work, including work station set-up and sending employees to the Michigan Assembly Plant to review their assembly process,” Bobnar said. “We have a group of employees here known as product specialists, and these employees, along with our launch engineers, are key to our new production.” The product specialists observed the processes used to build the vehicle at Michigan Assembly plant before production of the Expedition and Navigator ceased and then brought that knowledge with them to Kentucky Truck to help train fellow employees. “This is a tool for us to better adhere to our processes,” Bobnar said. “We put a very heavy emphasis on both safety and quality.” Back to Top Edited March 23, 2016 by Biker16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 The design influences are obvious, but I actually like it. Definitely a step up from the current model. The Conti grille transfers well to the larger vehicle. This actually makes me much more excited to see what they do with the Expedition. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmc523 Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Not sure if it is front drive but kinda looks it. Looks like a literal Continental SUV. However if they do make it front drive for retail market to replace the MKT while keeping MKT as fleet-only, then I guess that'd be fine. Just as long as Expedition stays true BOF rear drive based on new F-150. We'll see at later on press conference. Great job with the black. I love bright green like the previous generation Mustang's Gotta Have It Green color. If you have time, could you do a quick Shop job with bright green Navi? Thanks!!! I think the FWD look is an illusion because the door cut line is unusually far forward because of the gullwing doors. This makes me really anxious for the eventual Aviator. If these elements are applied to an Explorer-sized vehicle, I think they will look even better. For me, the Navi concept bodes well for the Aviator. And perhaps for the reskinned MKC when the time comes. I was wondering if we'd see the crossovers retain a sleek look like the MKC and MKX, or if they'd go a Range Rover-esque more boxy look going forward. It's hard to judge off a full size SUV though, as it'd be relatively boxy either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fordmantpw Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 The kick up at the rear bumper will help with departure angles for hard-core off-roading! The rear 3/4 view looks very Range Rover-ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 I think it will translate better in the production version. Not digging those wheels though - did they get those off a 737 jet engine? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 I think it will translate better in the production version. Not digging those wheels though - did they get those off a 737 jet engine? They're reminiscent of the ones from the Continental concept, and I didn't care for those very much either. The production versions only look marginally better, but at least they're being consistent with their styling. I just hope being consistent doesn't turn into every vehicle looking identical. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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