FRANKFURT, 14
September, 1999 – The Lincoln Blackwood concept vehicle, making
its first European appearance at the 1999 Frankfurt Motor Show,
is the result of a brand combining detailed knowledge of its customers
with non-traditional thinking to create a brand new product niche.
Inspired by
the runaway success of its Navigator sport utility vehicle, Lincoln
decided to further explore the idea of combining the comfort of
an American luxury sedan with the versatility of a sport utility
vehicle.
The outcome
was the Lincoln Blackwood, the ‘ultimate utility vehicle.’ The four-door,
four-passenger Blackwood debuted in December 1998 at the Los Angeles
Auto Show. Response to the wood-clad luxury utility vehicle was
so strong Ford has decided to put it into production.
"The popularity
of the Lincoln Navigator and the continuing evolution of American
sport utility vehicles led to the development of this luxury utility
concept," said J Mays, Ford Vice President of Design. "Our ability
to take this concept quickly to market after the overwhelmingly
positive public response to it shows how flexible our product development
process has become."
The
Lincoln Blackwood’s appearance at Frankfurt is for more than novelty
value. According to Mays, the processes that led to its successful
development are being used by Ford Motor Company on a global basis
to extend the character of its brands and could result in even more
concepts that create their own niches in future.
Powered by a
5.4-litre V8 engine and riding on 19-inch solid-cast polished aluminium
wheels and P286R60-19 tires, Lincoln Blackwood has a truly unique
appearance. At the rear of the four door cabin is a fully enclosed
pickup bed covered with more than 6 square meters of wenge, a dark,
dense striated wood from central Africa.
A brushed aluminium
strip defines each band of wood, adding to the overall luxury look.
The use of the wood is designed as a modern twist on traditional
American ‘woody,’ which used different-coloured wood strips between
larger wood bands, according to Mays.
The wenge wood
is sealed with a clear epoxy to protect it from the elements and
highlight the natural beauty of the grain. The combination of the
rich, dark-coloured wood and black, lacquer-finished sheet metal
was the inspiration for the Blackwood's name.
The hard top
of the rear pick-up bed opens hydraulically to a 45-degree angle,
operated by the key fob. Once the cover is lifted, the rear double-door
gate can be opened to the sides – giving access to the well-lit,
aluminium-finished interior of the 1422mm trunk. Two adjacent compartments
serve as additional storage space for smaller objects.
Blackwood’s
interior is based on the Lincoln Navigator’s, with the addition
of wenge wood accents on the steering wheel and instrument panel.
A global positioning system is integrated into the floor-mounted
centre console. The four bucket seats are trimmed in black Connolly
leather.
A version of
this uniquely American luxury vehicle concept will go into production
at Ford Motor Company's Kansas City Assembly Plant late next year.
