LA Auto Show 2018: The 2020 Lincoln Aviator is the first high-performance plug-in hybrid vehicle of the brand

Even before the Los Angeles Auto Show opened, Lincoln lifted the veil on the production model of the all-new 2020 Aviator, a three-seat SUV that is an evolution of the concept that was shown at the New York Auto Show last spring complete with its exterior design reminiscent of some Land Rover vehicles. The front grille confirms however that the SUV belongs in the manufacturer’s lineup.

Lincoln will first offer the Aviator with the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 found in the Continental. This model is expected in the spring of 2019, while a Grand Touring version, the first plug-in hybrid of the brand, will be added to the lineup a few months later, most probably in the fall.

For a family-friendly luxury crossover, the 2020 Lincoln Aviator doesn’t do half-measures. Its base engine delivers 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox. If our American neighbours can get their hands on a rear-wheel-drive livery, consumers in Canada will have to settle for the all-wheel-drive version, which is ideal for our market anyway. An adaptive air suspension is also available on the Aviator; it can lower the vehicle completely to help getting in.

The other available powertrain adds an electric motor and a battery pack, housed under the floor, to the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6. These two added elements help reduce the ecological footprint of the vehicle but also boosts its performance. The V6 is expected to develop more than 450 hp and an even more impressive torque figure of 600 lb-ft.

For now, Lincoln remains silent about the fully electric range of its new model but promises an electric mode and even a mode that saves the batteries for use later on. As it is already the case with the Navigator, this knob will also change the vehicle’s behaviour according to the mood of the person behind the wheel.

The brief moment Lincoln gave us with the new Aviator allowed us to see the level of quality inside the cabin. Introduced on the Continental and Navigator, the famous adjustable seats are back with even more available adjustments. The Aviator will also be available with a three-dimensional Revel audio system with no less than 28 speakers.