2005 Lincoln Aviator Awd Sport Utility 4-door 4.6l No Reserve Clean Carfax on 2040-cars

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Five vehicles named Top Safety Pick+ including new Civic, MKZ

In an attempt to help push vehicle safety to a higher level, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety created a stricter Top Safety Pick+ rating last year, which incorporates a brutal small overlap test and requires cars to get Good ratings in four out of the five categories (and no less than Acceptable in the fifth). Joining the list of the safest cars of 2013, the 2013 Volvo XC60, Lincoln MKZ, Honda Civic (sedan and coupe) and the 2014 Mazda6 have all received the coveted TSP+ rating.
The Mazda6 and Lincoln MKZ have both been completely redesigned, and both received Acceptable ratings in the small overlap test. The Honda Civic, coming off its emergency refresh for 2013, is the first small car to be subjected to the small overlap test, and IIHS says that one of the car's many upgrades includes a stiffer front structure allowing it to receive Good ratings in all categories. Similarly, the XC60 gets all Good ratings thanks to, according to IIHS, Volvo updating the airbag software allowing the side airbags to inflate during the small overlap test.
The 2014 Subaru Forester has not yet been subjected to the small overlap test, so it must make do with just a Top Safety Pick rating until the IIHS tests small utility vehicles, which is expected to happen later in the spring.

2020 Lincoln Corsair spied inside and out, ready to replace the MKC

Last year we were told the Lincoln MKC crossover would be renamed the Lincoln Corsair for the 2020 model year. A full exterior and interior redesign is on its way to go with the name change, one we get to see up close and personal here. We were led to believe that the Corsair would take its design cues from the handsome three-row Aviator SUV. That sentiment rings true for the exterior and interior as we take a look at these first spy shots of the smallest Lincoln crossover. The silhouette of the Corsair is near spot-on that of the Aviator's — it's smaller in every way, but styling elements like the grille, taillights, tapered rear window and overhanging spoiler all scream Aviator. Even the wheels look ripped straight from a lower-spec Aviator. We think that's great, because the Aviator is one hell of a looker now that all the camouflage has been stripped off it. Lincoln is bringing its new interior styling to the small crossover too, it appears. The shots we get to see here show that this won't even come close to resembling its redesigned Escape sibling on the inside. Instead, we're feeling Navigator and Aviator vibes all over. The big screen perched on top, chrome everywhere and classy appearance is reassuring; any concern over seeing a Lincoln version of a Ford on the inside should be wiped away with these photos. This interior looks like it's ready for the showroom floor, too. We're thinking you'll likely be able to buy one before the year is done. A report earlier this week shed some light on possible powertrain options we could see on this crossover related to the Ford Escape. A 2.0-liter Ecoboost engine is likely to be the base option, while the 2.3-liter Ecoboost will remain as an upgrade. The possibility of a plug-in hybrid version looms, though. With the Lincoln Aviator going that route, an electrified option for the smaller crossover could prove appealing for some buyers not wanting to pony up for the big Aviator. A reveal for this crossover should be coming soon at this rate, possibly even at the N.Y. Auto Show in April this year. Related video:

Hot-selling Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator get production boost

Ford is investing an additional $25 million in its Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville to increase by 25 percent production of the hot-selling and all-new Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition SUVs. The investment adds to $900 million in previously announced spending at the plant, which also builds F-Series Super-Duty pickups and employs 8,400 workers. Assembly-line workers are putting in overtime and working voluntary weekend shifts to keep up with demand. The new investment will cover upgrades to the assembly line but does not involve further hiring, Ford spokeswoman Kelli Felker says. The popularity of the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator is a bright spot as Ford stock has been battered by Wall Street amid concerns concerns about the automaker's future vision and slowness to detect trends. Ford says the investment is an example of its bid to improve "operational fitness," one of CEO Jim Hackett's common refrains. Ford says Navigator retail sales more than doubled in January, and Navigators are spending an average of just seven days on Lincoln dealership lots as customers trade in vehicles including Land Rovers and Mercedes-Benz. Nearly 85 percent of buyers are opting for high-end Black Label and Reserve trim packages, contributing to an average transaction price increase of more than $21,000 in January compared to a year ago. The 2018 Navigator won the North American Truck of the Year award and also topped a Detroit News poll of public favorites at last month's Detroit Auto Show. Sales of the Expedition, meanwhile, were up almost 57 percent last month as the full-size SUVs also spent an average of just a week on dealer lots. Platinum trim models represented 29 percent of sales, pushing transaction price increases up $7,800. Ford gave the 2018 Expedition an all-aluminum body to save mass in its first significant redesign since 2007. The plant last year got nearly 400 new robots, mainly in the body shop, to help increase line speed, and Ford added a robot lab where employees can test software tweaks or troubleshoot issues away from the factory floor. The Louisville plant also benefits from extensive new data analytics, with seven big-screen monitors providing minute-by-minute updates showing progress against hourly targets or alerting workers to pending parts shortages. A huge spare-parts "vending machine" lets workers more quickly locate needed parts and keep inventory at necessary levels.