The Lincoln Navigator is having a hard time in the United States where it has been recalled several times over the past few months. Sales in the country remain relatively stable, however, and it seems that the Chinese market also contributes strongly to the commercial success of the Navigator. To celebrate the performance of its flagship SUV in the People’s Republic market, the automaker is launching a new special-edition model.
The Navigator One is a super-luxury China-only version of the model with production limited to just 30 units. It is based on the long-wheelbase Navigator L variant and was unveiled at the Chengdu Motor Show last week. It has features that aren’t available on the US-spec Navigator and will likely remain exclusive to the Navigator One.
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What is usually a three-row family hauler has transformed into a luxury cocoon for two rear passengers seated in captain’s chairs. A massive center armrest is where a tablet sits, allowing easy control of the machine’s luxury features from the rear. These include LED starlight elements integrated into the roof liner, a TV screen for infotainment functions and a coast-to-coast soundbar placed below the TV.
The highlight of the interior extras has to be the Jian ware tea set. The devil is in the details and this approach can best be seen in the rack on the console for pouring the tea, which is a common Chinese tea serving practice. Outside, the Navigator One stands out with its two-tone silver-purple paint and 22-inch rims.
There’s no engine info under the hood, but we believe it’s the 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 mill. In this application, it delivers 440 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque, sent to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission.
Order books for the Navigator One opened during the Chengdu Motor Show and we hear that all 30 units may have already been sold.
