A restricted variety of freshly transformed US-made Lincoln Navigators are on their method to Australia due to Autogroup Worldwide.
The Sri Lankan-based, Australian-owned firm has over 30 years of expertise in changing left-hand drive autos to right-hand drive and has lately accomplished a run of GMC Hummer EVs in addition to these Lincoln Navigators.
Associated to the Ford F-150 offered right here, the Navigator is a full-sized, body-on-frame SUV. It’s at the moment in its fourth technology, which entered manufacturing in 2017, nonetheless the nameplate pre-dates even that of the Cadillac Escalade… if solely by a yr.
Autogroup Worldwide shall be delivery the transformed autos to greater than 40 right-hand drive international locations together with Australia.
It’s changing Reserve and Black Label variations of the extended-length Navigator L, skipping the entry-level Premiere.
All Navigator fashions use a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 324kW of energy and 691Nm of torque. A ten-speed computerized transmission distributes energy by way of the two-speed switch case to all 4 wheels.
Rated towing capability is 3600kg.
There’s a alternative of seven- or eight-seat configurations, with the previous that includes second-row captain’s seats.
The autos characteristic a panoramic sunroof, illuminated energy facet steps, a 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up show, a 28-speaker Revel Ultima3D sound system, a 360-degree digicam and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The conversion gives a mirror-image end that not solely replicates the unique however in some areas enhances it as a result of handcrafted strategy and use of many new elements.
Whereas the 2023 Lincoln got here with 5 customary drive modes (deep snow or mud, slippery, moist or icy, preserve, excite and regular), the 2024 Navigators have an extra sixth mode known as ‘gradual climb’ that aids in steep climbs whereas off highway.
Autogroup Worldwide employs over 185 individuals and operates out of a three-acre, purpose-built, multi-million-dollar automotive manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka.
It says it follows strict ISO 9001:2015 High quality Assurance requirements to make sure full compliance and authorities approvals to export their transformed autos to the related right-hand drive markets.
It takes round six weeks for every Lincoln Navigator to be fastidiously transformed to right-hand drive and every one is backed by a three-year full car guarantee.
Given the stats, efficiency and right-hand drive availability, these luxurious 2024 Navigators ought to slot in properly with Australia’s love affair with towing and off-roading, and Autogroup Worldwide believes it should stand above any of its rivals.
No pricing has been revealed but, so it’s unclear the way it’ll evaluate with the likes of the Lexus LX, BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS in Australia.
Whereas Normal Motors hasn’t confirmed the Navigator-rivalling Cadillac Escalade for our market – although it has left the door open – it should carry the GMC Yukon Denali to Australia in 2025.
It’ll be remanufactured in right-hand drive by Walkinshaw in Australia, very like the Chevrolet Silverado pickup.
