Lincoln Navigator 2007

PRESS RELEASE: 2007 Lincoln Mercury Navigator
Dramatic, distinctive design: Lincoln Navigator’s fresh look combines power and refinement for the American luxury-SUV customer
Comfortable, capable interior: All-new seating offers exceptional comfort, craftsmanship and convenience. PowerFold™ third-row seat provides segment-exclusive flexibility and ease of cargo storage
Quiet, confident driving experience: All-new frame and independent suspension deliver superior ride and handling. Acoustic windshield, thicker glass and tuned mirrors contribute to Navigator’s "whisper quiet" interior
New Lincoln Navigator L: Provides an additional 25 cubic feet of cargo space
DISTINCTIVE AMERICAN ELEGANCE
The new Lincoln Navigator, America’s original full-size luxury SUV, will offer uncompromising levels of luxury, capability, functionality.
The Lincoln Navigator’s expressive design brings a unique elegance and an unrivaled presence to the full-size luxury-utility segment. Lincoln Navigator charts its own path, offering confident ride and handling, outstanding comfort and craftsmanship, and class-leading capability.
"Lincoln Navigator has always been in a unique class," says Al Giombetti, president, Ford, Lincoln Mercury Marketing and Sales. "It offers a great blend of style and functionality, but more than that, it’s got street appeal."
Lincoln extends luxury SUV capability even further with a new addition to the lineup. The Lincoln Navigator L is 14.7 inches longer than the regular model and offers luxury buyers an additional 25 cubic feet of cargo volume behind the third-row seat.
EXPRESSIVE DESIGN MAKES A DRAMATIC STATEMENT
The 2007 Lincoln Navigator’s distinctive design combines power and refinement to deliver Lincoln luxury. Lincoln Navigator looks powerful and capable without looking pretentious.
"Lincoln Navigator features refined power, grand style with modern and elegant execution," says Chelsia Lau, Lincoln Navigator chief designer. "The dramatic design conveys power, both from under the hood and from the feeling behind the wheel."
That statement of power begins with the bold chrome grille. The horizontal and vertical lines are inspired by the Lincoln star, detailed with sharp, organized surfaces. The precision detailing of the grille extends into the high-intensity-discharge (HID) projector headlamps. The lower grille carries through the theme, housing the integrated fog lamps.
"We wanted to integrate every aspect of the front-end design," says Lau. "By continuing the grille into the optics, they are no longer just headlights, but industrial jewelry that completes the overall design."
The upper grille is carried into the chiseled chamfers that define the prominent "powerdome" hood, reinforcing Lincoln Navigator’s imposing presence.
The Lincoln Navigator profile is defined by clean, sheer, tapered surfaces. That design language is consistent throughout the vehicle, from the smooth quarter panels to the chiseled side mirror shells. A Lincoln-signature chrome strip highlights the beltline, while chrome body-side trim extends from the front wheel well to the back for a tailored appearance. A proud, stable stance on 18-inch machined aluminum wheels – or available 20-inch chrome wheels – plants the vehicle to the road.
For 2007, Lincoln Navigator again offers power-folding running boards, improved for more seamless integration. With the doors closed, the running boards fold out of sight and are perfectly integrated into the lower body wrap. When one of the side doors is opened, the running boards fold out in presentation, offering a step bar for easy ingress and egress.
The new taillamps give a nod to the 2007 Lincoln MKZ luxury mid-size sedan, with wing-shaped lamps that cut into the liftgate and wrap around the vehicle. A bold chrome outline and white inserts in the red optic areas complete the exterior.

MODERN-LUXURY INTERIOR SETS THE BAR
The Lincoln Navigator engineering team carefully looked at the needs and desires of Navigator buyers, then collaborated on the all-new luxurious interior to answer those needs.
"The typical Lincoln Navigator owner is a check-every-box buyer," says Raj Nair, executive director, Body-on-frame Vehicles. "If there’s an option, they want it. We set out to offer these demanding buyers more luxury, more features and a greater level of craftsmanship."
The Navigator’s interior features a flowthrough center console that sweeps up into the rectangular "eyebrows" that frame the dash panel. The strong graphic presentation is echoed in the shape of the instrument bezels, a design inspired by popular rectangular fashion eyewear.
Lincoln Navigator offers the elegance of genuine Dark Ebony or Anigre wood trim on the console and upper door panels. The wood trim is bookmatched so the grains are precisely aligned. For example, the coin-tray cover is laser cut from the center console wood trim for perfectly matched wood grain.
"Today’s luxury buyer isn’t satisfied with just leather seats and wood trim," says Lau. "What modern luxury buyers are looking for – and what we delivered in Lincoln Navigator – are superior craftsmanship and exquisite details. Details such as bookmatched wood grain, soft white lighting and butter-soft leather are what make Lincoln Navigator truly luxurious."
Details like satin-nickel accents on the center stack, binnacle inserts and door trim and chrome accents on cup-holder rings, steering wheel and door releases speak to Lincoln Navigator’s fine craftsmanship. A touch of black on the center stack and instrument panel provides further emphasis of refinement. At night, the interior is bathed in Lincoln’s signature cool-white lighting, creating a soothing atmosphere.
LINCOLN SIGNATURE SEATING
Premium leather contributes to the overall comfort, further improving Lincoln’s signature seating. According to Lowell Lampen, manager of SUV Seats, a key to seating comfort is providing a soft cushion as soon as customers sit down. It's important to balance that initial feel with firm support making seats comfortable for long trips. The standard 10-way power driver and front passenger seats are designed to comfortably accommodate a diverse group of occupants, from 4-foot-10 to 6-foot-5, from 90 pounds to 300 pounds. Power-adjustable pedals and memory functions enable drivers to fine-tune their positions. The front seats also offer next-generation heating and cooling for the ultimate in comfort – another Lincoln hallmark.
Even Lincoln Navigator's seat frames were refined to improve comfort by eliminating the vibration from the floor.
This premium seating extends to the available 40/20/40-split second row seat and 60/40-split third row, which effortlessly tumble to create a flat load floor. With seating for eight, the Lincoln Navigator offers 18.2 cubic feet of cargo space, while Navigator L offers 42.7 cubic feet.
With both the second- and third-row seats folded, the Lincoln Navigator can accommodate 103.5 cubic feet, while Navigator L offers a cavernous 128.2 cubic feet.
The second-row seats feature new mechanisms that enable one-hand fold-and-tumble operation to access the third row. For increased visibility, the second-row head restraints fold forward 90 degrees to improve driver rear view.
Lincoln Navigator's third-row seat folds flat into the floor for added cargo space. The available PowerFold™ third row offers 54.5 cubic feet of cargo space at the touch of a button.
The available power liftgate provides even more convenience. For 2007, the system has been redesigned to use side-mounted pistons for improved rear visibility.
STATE-OF-THE-ART ENTERTAINMENT
Lincoln Navigator offers a host of features and options that provide a high level of convenience. The voice-activated DVD-based navigation system features a 6.5-inch touch screen designed for improved clarity and incorporates text-to-speech technology that reads and communicates directions and street names in three languages. The efficiency of the dual-zone climate control has been improved, bringing the cabin to a comfortable temperature in a third of the previous time.
Lincoln Navigator offers a first-in-class 600-watt THX^® II Certified premium audio system with six-disc CD changer and 14 speakers. A power amplifier is mounted behind the center stack, and a center speaker array is mounted above the center stack for optimum sound clarity and quality. For even more sound choices, SIRIUS satellite radio is available, as is an integrated MP3 audio jack.
If rear passenger entertainment is in order, Lincoln Navigator has an available entertainment system with a larger 8-inch screen and two wireless headphones to keep the sound contained.
'WHISPER QUIET' REFINED RIDE
Enjoying the Lincoln Navigator's entertainment offerings is even easier, as engineers "soundly" beat their initial targets for interior quietness.
"Our initial targets were a significant improvement over the already stringent levels we set with the previous Lincoln Navigator," says John Viera, Navigator chief nameplate engineer. "But as the program progressed, we made such dramatic improvements in quietness we had to set new targets. The result is a vehicle that will provide our customers with a truly unexpected quality of quietness on the road."
Additional noise-dampening insulation was added to the headliner and dash to help decrease wind and powertrain noise. Noise-absorbing padding was added to the carpeting to further reduce tire and road noise. Thicker side glass and new cut-line seals were added for decreased wind noise.
Additional structure was added to the roof to reduce body boom, and a stiffer chassis and new body mounts further isolate road noise and vibration. Side mirrors were "tuned" to reduce wind noise in the cabin, and tire tread designs were optimized to minimize road noise.
IMPROVED RIDE AND HANDLING FOR LUXURY DRIVING EXPERIENCE
Lincoln Navigator also offers a confident, refined driving experience commensurate with a luxury vehicle.
The vehicle features a stiffer frame for improved handling and decreased susceptibility to squeaks and rattles. The frame features a tube-through-tube design, creating one of the stiffest frames in the industry.
The 2007 Lincoln Navigator has an all-new independent rear suspension (IRS). The new IRS features a five-link design, with the fifth link controlling fore/aft movements while the short and long arms control lateral forces. This allows for greater control of wheel movement, as well as enabling lighter suspension components for improved response.
Power is provided by Lincoln Navigator's 5.4-liter, three-valve Triton™ V-8, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, that generates 300 horsepower and 365 foot pounds of torque. A wide-ratio, 6-speed transmission has smaller steps between gears than a typical 4-speed automatic and offers improved shift quality and faster acceleration. With a wide 6.02:1 gear ratio and two overdrive gears (fifth and sixth), the Lincoln Navigator’s 6-speed offers up to a 7 percent increase in fuel economy on the highway over a typical 4-speed automatic.
STANDARD ADVANCETRAC WITH RSC
Lincoln Navigator’s confident handling helps prevent accidents from occurring. And Lincoln Navigator’s safety system features a comprehensive package of features. Lincoln’s safety package includes standard AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control), which utilizes a gyroscopic roll rate sensor to enhance the vehicle’s rollover resistance.
Additional standard safety features include:
Dual-stage second-generation driver and front-passenger air bags that tailor deployment based on crash severity, safety belt usage and occupant size.
Three-row Safety Canopy side curtain air bags designed to activate in rollovers and side impacts for enhanced head protection.
Seat-mounted side air bags for the first row and energy-absorbing knee bolsters and glove box for the front passenger.
New frame design meets the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers vehicle-to-vehicle frontal crash compatibility voluntary agreement.

QUICK SPECS

POWERTRAIN
5.4-liter, 3-valve Triton V-8 •300 hp @ 5000 rpm, 365 ft. lbs. @ 3750 rpm •Standard 6-speed automatic overdrive
CHASSIS
•4-wheel ABS and Advance Trac with RSC •Wheelbase (Navigator/Navigator L): 119/131 in. •Length (Navigator/Navigator L): 208.4/223.3 in. •Max width: 78.8 in.
SUSPENSION
•Front	Independent, double-wishbone, short- and long-arm, (SLA) design with coil-over shocks, 36-mm stabilizer bar
•Rear	Independent, multilink design with coil-over shocks, 18mm, 19mm or 21mm stabilizer bar

WHEELS / TIRE
Machined aluminum:	255/70 R18 255/70 R18
Chrome-clad aluminum :	275/50 R20
CAPACITIES (Navigator: Navigator L)
Cargo behind 2nd row:		54.5/86.3 cu. ft.
Cargo behind 3rd row:		18.2/42.7 cu. ft.
Payload 4x2/4x4:		1766/1637 lbs.; 1837/1683 lbs.
Towing 4x2/4x4		9100/8900 lbs.; 9030/8680 lbs.

Technorati Tags: Lincoln, Navigator, 2007

Renault Espace Facelift 2006

Softer styling, innovative cornering lights, the “Carminat” Navigation and Communication System and the new 2.0 dCi engine are just some of the features that stand out in Renault’s facelifted 2006 Espace MPV

With its seductive and aesthetic appeal, dynamic performance, excellence in perceived quality and travelling comfort, New Espace goes further than it has ever done before.T he new particulate filter-equipped 2.0 dCi diesel engine delivers 150hp and 175hp and ensures that New Espace benefits from exceptional performance for this level of engine size.A new six-speed automatic transmission is available for the new 3.0 dCi V6 diesel enginewhich boasts torque of 400Nm for even more flexibility and driving pleasure. Thanks to a choice of three petrol and four diesel powerplants, which can be coupled to five- or sixspeed manual or Proactive transmission, New Espace places the accent firmly on dynamic performance and driving pleasure.

New Espace's exterior lines are softer yet its personality is as distinctive as ever and points clearly to its high-end MPV standing. New Espace is also the first vehicle of its class to feature bi-Xenon cornering lights.
Inside, the perceived quality and the sense of warmth and brightness it exudes make New Espace an even more pleasurable experience. New Espace is also available with the latest Carminat Navigation and Communication System which combines voice synthesis with a three-dimensional display. The system comes with a panoramic 7-inch screen built into the new dashboard design, Bluetooth technology for a hands-free telephone and a CD/MP3- compatible player. Automatically-attaching sliding seats are available in the rear. The seats can be taken out, moved and positioned with ease, thereby enhancing interior modularity. New Espace also has an all-flat floor.

ENGINE RANGE
The petrol range comprises a choice of four powertrain combinations:
2.0 16V (140hp) six-speed manual
2.0 Turbo (170hp) six-speed manual
2.0 Turbo (170hp) automatic five-speed
3.5 V6 (245hp) automatic five-speed

The diesel range comprises a choice of eight powertrain combinations.
2.0 dCi (150 and 175hp, with particulate filter) six-speed automatic
3.0 dCi (165 and 180hp) six-speed automatic
1.9 dCi (115hp) six-speed manual gearbox
2.2 dCi six-speed manual (150hp) or five-speed automatic (140hp)
Technorati Tags: Renault, New, Espace, 2006

Lexus ES 350 2007

After the first sneak preview form Carscoop (see Archive), the 2007 Lexus ES350 made it's first appearance at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. Based on the also new Camry, Lexus’s ES350 design seems inconsistent to the company’s latest IS and GS model philosophy.

Press Release: All-New 5th-Generation 2007 Lexus ES Redefines Entry Luxury Segment
The all-new 2007 Lexus ES 350 made its public debut today at the Chicago Auto Show. The all-new, fully redesigned ES marks the fourth Lexus sedan to benefit from the L-finesse design language. Going on sale in late April, the fifth-generation ES improves upon every level of comfort, safety, performance and craftsmanship in the elegant five-passenger sedan.

"We believe the newly revamped ES 350 is better in virtually every way than our original LS flagship sedan," said Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter. "It's faster, quieter and more powerful than the first LS that redefined the prestige luxury segment in the early 1990s."

2007 ES Marks Complete Redesign of All Lexus Sedans

From a styling standpoint, the ES marks the latest Lexus sedan to receive a complete redesign emphasizing a more sculptural direction, one that now reveals a family resemblance across the entire passenger car lineup. With an over two-inch longer wheelbase and more than an inch wider track, the ES has a more confident stance. A long hood, pulled-back cabin and short rear deck are characteristic of the new L-finesse design theme, recalling classic sports car proportions with a contemporary look unique to all new-generation Lexus sedans.

The creation of a spatial feeling in the passenger compartment is central to the new Lexus design direction. Without increasing the overall exterior length, engineers were able to increase rear legroom while maintaining the already roomy driver and front-passenger compartment.

The interior of the new ES introduces a new level of craftsmanship as well. Premium wood, polished metal and leather accents provide a level of luxury never before seen in the entry luxury segment. Everything inside the ES is designed and styled to create a comfortable and harmonious interaction, with touchpoints that convey quality and refinement. The roomy, luxurious cabin is complemented by intelligently designed displays and controls to make driving both simple and pleasurable.

Bright, clear Optitron gauges combined with smartly integrated metallic and authentic brown walnut wood trim help create a luxurious, elegant ambience.

Powerful Technology for New V6

The ES 350's 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers 272 horsepower and 254 lb.-ft. of torque, resulting in an estimated zero-to-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds, substantially quicker than the model it replaces. The highly sophisticated engine uses electronically controlled sequential fuel injection, which optimizes the fuel mixture and creates a precise burn, higher output and lower emissions to aid drivability. The result is a substantial improvement in engine efficiency with increased power and improved fuel economy.

The engine also benefits from reduced internal friction via chain-driven camshafts and roller-rocker arms that serve to increase efficiency. Aluminum heads and cylinder blocks feature special cast-in "spiny" cylinder liners to improve liner stability and cooling by increasing surface contact area with the cylinder head.

The new ES comes standard with dual exhaust, which reduces exhaust backpressure at high rpm. Extensive use of stainless steel in the exhaust system minimizes weight and improves durability. The integration of these technologies contributes to segment-leading efficiency with the ES 350 obtaining a manufacturer-estimated combined fuel consumption of 25 mpg (21 mpg city/30 mpg highway) and an expected Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV II) certification.

Six-Speed Transmission

The front-wheel drive ES 350 features a six-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) and sequential shift. The low-friction, high-efficiency gear train is lighter and more compact than the previous generation 5-speed transmission with 20 percent fewer parts and 24 percent fewer hydraulic controls. Gear ratios are carefully matched to both engine horsepower and torque characteristics to provide very smooth yet responsive shifts for improved drivability.

New Intelligent Luxury

In addition to a new look and feel, the new ES also improves upon the increasingly complex nature of automotive technology. The ES offers numerous standard features such as SmartAccess keyless entry and a new push-to-start ignition system that allows drivers to enter and start the vehicle without removing the access fob from their pocket or purse.

Lexus' craftsmanship and renowned attention to detail provide true luxury by design. Dual-zone automatic climate control and 10-way power front seats, with available memory, highlight the front cabin. The supportive standard cloth seats are also available in leather and extra-soft upgraded perforated leather for additional comfort.

The three-spoke steering wheel features easy-to-use controls for the audio system, trip computer and multi-information display in the speedometer. It also adds a voice control switch for the available Bluetooth navigation and features. An auto-dimming rearview mirror with an integrated digital compass is standard, as are heated exterior mirrors.

Additional standard luxury features include a sliding center console, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, a one-touch power moonroof and an illuminated entry system that lights the exterior with puddle lamps and the interior cabin footwells.

Luxury extends to the smallest details in the new ES, from illuminated front cup holders to an interior LED soft-lighting system that provides just the right amount of light where driver and passengers need it most. And the ES lends extra peace of mind with the integrated Homelink transmitter that can control a variety of compatible home security devices and systems.

Advanced Safety Features

New standard safety features include Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC), an electronic traction-control system that uses both throttle and brake intervention to help control wheel spin.

In addition, the new ES provides eight standard airbags; 10 with the optional rear-seat side airbags. For 2007, the ES gains new knee airbags for the driver and front passenger as well as a twin-chamber front passenger airbag. Side-curtain airbags coupled with front seat

mounted airbags and the optional rear-seat side airbags are designed to help offer additional crash energy management for the front and rear seat occupants.

The Supplemental Restraint System in the new ES also includes variable-force front airbags for both driver and front passenger. Sensors determine the severity of the accident and, in turn, the force with which to deploy the front airbags, helping to provide an appropriate level of occupant restraint. Rear-seat side airbags are offered optionally.

The ES 350 includes the safety of several visibility-enhancing technologies. The front side windows feature a water-repellant surface that helps to bead rainwater. A rear back-up camera, part of the available navigation package, is mounted near the top of the license plate surround and projects a color image of what the camera lens can detect behind the vehicle onto the navigation screen whenever the vehicle is in reverse.

In addition, the ES provides the first-ever intelligent Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) that allows both right and left front headlamp bulbs to swivel at the same time to help illuminate a turn or curve as the driver steers into it.

Luxury Alive in the Details

For the first time, Lexus offers an optional panorama glass roof on the ES 350 creating an expansive feeling of openness for interior passengers. The glass roof extends over the entire passenger cabin providing a fixed skylight for rear passengers and a sliding sunroof for front passengers. A manual interior shade is provided for the front and rear passenger compartments. The frameless design allows for significantly tighter gaps versus those provided by other manufacturers and, with no visible gaskets, contributes to its sleek appearance and efficient aerodynamics.

Optional ventilated front seats and an available power rear window sunshade work in concert with the standard dual-zone climate control that filters the air to keep occupants comfortable. A dual-zone automatic climate control allows driver and front passenger to customize interior temperatures, while rear passengers enjoy their own A/C vents.

The optional and newly upgraded fifth-generation navigation system offers eight million points of interest (POI). The multi-information display makes key information readily available and easy to see. These and other features available on the new ES, such as semi-aniline leather, High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, intelligent Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, heated/ventilated front seats and the panorama glass roof are normally found only in more expensive luxury cars.

Mind-Expanding Audio Systems

An enhanced standard premium audio system brings an in-dash, six-disc CD-changer, MP3 player, iPod connectivity and an additional speaker to the 2007 ES. The system also includes an Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL) to maintain consistent sound levels at varying vehicle speeds.

Music aficionados will appreciate the newest generation of the optional Mark Levinson audio system in the new ES. Using a 7.1-channel speaker architecture, this leading-edge design uses 10 channels of amplification with a total of 300 watts at 0.1 percent Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) playing through 14 speakers to bring a major new dimension to automotive audio sound. The Mark Levinson audio also takes advantage of DVD audio and video technology, allowing users to play both conventional CDs and DVDs. DVD movies can be viewed on the color 7-inch touch screen when the vehicle is parked.

The all-new 2007 Lexus ES goes on sale late April. Although prices have not been finalized, it will represent the best value in the entry luxury segment.

For more information visit: http://www.2007es.com/

Technorati Tags: Lexus, ES350, 2006, Chicago, Auto, Show