Is This New Lincoln Navigator Concept A Game-Changer? Not Quite

Lincoln Motor, the luxury auto brand of Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), unveiled a new Navigator Concept at the New York Auto Show.

A press release issued by Lincoln said the new Navigator features gullwing doors (similar to Tesla Motor Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA)'s Model X) and concertina steps for easy access. It also offers 30-way seats, Revel audio and custom wardrobe management system. It has a new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering more than 400 horsepower.

Michelle Krebs, Director Automotive Relations at Cox and Senior Analyst at AutoTrader, said the new Lincoln Navigator is not a game changer.

"Not sure I would call it a game changer. The Lincoln Navigator is a dramatic departure from the current one. It is a very significant vehicle for the brand as it generates significant sales, revenues and profits," Krebs told Benzinga.

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Lincoln SUV sales rose 21 percent in 2015. Lincoln's U.S. sales grew 7.1 percent in 2015 and recorded the best U. S. sales since 2008. Krebs feels the new Navigator would expand Lincoln's reach.

"The concept unveiled in New York moves the Navigator upmarket as it is much more stylish, packed with luxury touches and high-tech features. These are exactly the things that buyers, particularly luxury buyers, are demanding and willing to pay for those features," Krebs said.

"The redesign also makes the Navigator more desirable not only in the US but also China and the Middle East," she added.

In the words of Kumar Galhotra, president of Lincoln, "The all-new Navigator Concept reinforces our commitment to give every Lincoln client what we call quiet luxury... This kind of quiet luxury sets Lincoln apart. Now, we're showing fans of large SUVs how we can exceed their expectations, without being the loudest statement on the road."