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Overview:
The 2002 Lincoln Blackwood is the latest product in the total transformation
of the Lincoln brand, a transformation that began nearly four years
ago.
The
Blackwood represents a uniquely American interpretation of luxury.
It takes some of the best qualities of Lincoln luxury cars and the
sport-utility vehicle and blurs the distinction to create something
entirely new.
The
production Lincoln Blackwood remains true to the visual promise
of the concept that debuted in 1999 at the North American International
Auto Show. Blackwood's gloss-black finish, signature Lincoln grille
and low-profile 18-inch tires contribute to the vehicle's dramatic
stance.
Bright,
tightly focused complex-reflector headlamps, fog lamps and taillights
stand out against the black paint, as do the chromed door handles,
side mirrors and fuel-filler door. The Lincoln star insignia decorates
the front-door cladding and the tonneau's latch cover. To contribute
to Blackwood's sleek appearance, the radio antenna is concealed
inside the rear-window glass, which reduces wind noise.
The
exotic, heavily striated African Wenge wood of the show vehicle's
trunk is interpreted for production in an extremely durable, three-dimensional
composite surface for better longevity, maintenance and insurability
than wood. The photo-laminate process used to create the panels
accurately records the image of wood bands, each of which is defined
by a brushed aluminum stripe. The composite panels - like the rest
of Blackwood - had to pass stringent durability testing. The panels
were able to maintain their color after seven simulated years of
advanced weathering.
The
cargo area is protected by the first manufacturer-installed power
tonneau cover, which nests into the rear doors and becomes a structural
member when latched at each rear corner. The Dutch-style rear doors
bear the Blackwood name in widely spaced, chrome capital letters.
The doors allow easier loading and unloading of the cargo area by
eliminating the need to bend over a lowered pickup gate.
Exterior
Design:
Based on the F-150 SuperCrew, the Blackwood's most striking design
feature is its 4-foot, 8-inch cargo trunk, which recalls the craftsmanship
of classic wooden motorboats.
A gloss-black
finish, signature Lincoln grille and low-profile 18-inch wheels
and tires contribute to the vehicle's dramatic stance.
On
the driver's side exterior of the trunk, Blackwood's chrome fuel-filler
door pays homage to the designs of racing cars.
Interior
Design:
Blackwood offers numerous comfort and convenience features for both
driver and passengers as standard equipment. The only optional luxury
feature is a console-integrated satellite-based navigation system
that uses data CDs to provide street-level detail, and can be programmed
to guide the driver to a specific address.
Interior
highlights include perforated black Connolly leather-faced seats
that offer a wide range of heating and cooling settings for the
driver and front seat passenger. The climate-controlled seats circulate
heated or cooled air through the perforated-leather surfaces using
a dedicated fan and compact heat pumps. The seat surfaces begin
to heat or cool within seconds.
Blackwood
also offers a tilt steering column with steering wheel-mounted duplicate
stereo and climate control buttons, a seven-speaker Alpine audio
system with subwoofer and six-CD changer, automatic climate control
and auto-shutoff headlamps. The interior is trimmed in dark-stained
crystal oak, and has a wood-and-leather trimmed steering wheel.
Blackwood's
four bucket seats are packaged in a space large enough for six adults,
so each occupant is afforded exceptional hip and shoulder room.
Both driver and front passenger seats are power adjustable, with
extended power lumbar support. The driver's seat, mirrors and adjustable
brake and accelerator pedals have a memory feature, which can record
three drivers' preferences.
The
front seats and rear seats are each separated by full-size consoles
with hinged, leather-clad lids and deep molded-in cupholders. In
addition to the dash-mounted cigar lighter, there are four 12-volt
power points: one on the instrument panel, two in the rear passenger
area and one in the cargo trunk.
An
overhead console offers an electronic display that includes a compass,
distance to empty and average fuel economy readings. Controls on
the console operate the power moonroof and the power tonneau cover.
The Homelink System™ located on the driver's side visor controls
up to three remote-control devices, such as garage door openers.
Powertrain:
Blackwood's 5.4-liter, 32-valve dual overhead cam V-8 engine produces
300 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, and 355 foot-pounds of peak torque
at 2,750 rpm. It has aluminum heads and a 90-degree cast-iron block
in a deep-skirted design that adds stiffness and reduces noise.
Sequential multi-port injectors deliver fuel to the cylinders through
a tumble-port cylinder head configuration, which enhances power
and fuel efficiency. The engine is calibrated to run on 91 octane
(minimum) regular unleaded gasoline.
Blackwood's
engine is rated for 100,000 miles before the first tune-up, under
normal driving conditions, with regular fluid and filter changes.
It features fail-safe engine protection designed to minimize engine
damage in the event of a catastrophic coolant loss. If the engine
controller detects overheating, it shuts off fuel to alternating
banks of cylinders, which allows cool air to pump through the cylinder
bores. In fail-safe mode, the vehicle can be driven a short distance
under reduced power, depending on speed, load and outside temperature.
Blackwood's
engine is mated to a 4R100-model four-speed automatic transmission
with overdrive and a locking torque converter. A 3.73 final drive
ratio and a built-in Class III/IV hitch contribute to Blackwood's
muscular tow rating of up to 8,700 pounds. To enhance traction,
Blackwood uses a combination of mechanical and electronic strategies.
In situations where power exceeds available traction, and the rear
wheels spin, Blackwood's traction control system reduces engine
output by retarding the spark and reducing fuel flow until traction
is restored. To improve system smoothness, Blackwood doesn't use
the braking system to reduce wheel spin. The driver usually won't
notice the system in action at all, which is consistent with Blackwood's
goal of quiet powertrain operation.
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