Lincoln Navigator has been enhanced with series of change options that gives the 2009 model a distinct characteristic from its predecessor. Despite that the 2008 model won several awards in its segment, Lincoln seems not to want to leave things to chances in its bid to capture the Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) segment.

For 2009, the company said the award-winning Navigator has gone through many must-have options standard equipment with additional innovative new features and choices that would make the vehicle a top pick in its segment.

The company disclosed that some of the several comfort and convenience features that are now standard on Lincoln's full-size SUV include front park assist, Lincoln SYNC; EasyFuel capless fuel fill; rain-sensing wipers; heated second row seats, and the rear view camera system.

"The standard rear view camera system in the rear lift gate handle activates when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a clear view behind the vehicle or for ease of hooking up trailers. The video image is displayed in the self-dimming rearview mirror on the standard Navigator or through the instrument panel next generation navigation system on the Elite package.

The new next generation navigation system is available for the first time ever with SIRIUS Travel Link, which gives drivers and passengers access to up-to-the-minute information and entertainment through the vehicle's navigation system. Working through the standard feature SIRIUS satellite radio network, Travel Link offers uninterrupted, coast-to-coast coverage of real-time traffic data; weather reports (current and five day forecasts with storm information and even ski resort conditions); fuel options sorted by price or distance from more than 120,000 fuel stations; major league pro and college sports as well as movie listings from more than 4,500 theaters," it noted.

The company assures that the 2009 Lincoln Navigator has been enhanced to provide customers with an unexpected quality of quietness on the road. This, it noted was based on the introduction of some features in the new model. For instance, it noted that the introduction of noise-dampening insulation in the headliner and dash is used to decrease wind and powertrain noise, while sound-absorbing passing is also used in the carpeting to further reduce tyre and road noise. Thicker side glass and cutline seals, it noted, were included for decreased wind noise.

"Engineers also added structure to the roof to reduce body "boom." The Lincoln Navigator's stiffer chassis and body mounts were incorporated to further isolate road noise and vibration while side mirrors were tuned to reduce wind noise in the cabin, and tyre tread designs were engineered to minimize road noise," it stated.

The company asserts that "Lincoln Navigator offers a confident, refined driving experience commensurate with a luxury vehicle. The vehicle features a stiff frame for confident handling and decreased susceptibility to squeaks and rattles. The frame features a tube-through-tube design, creating one of the stiffest frames in the industry.

Navigator has an independent rear suspension (IRS) that features a five-link design, with the fifth link controlling fore/aft movements while the short and long arms control lateral forces. This allows for greater control of wheel movement, as well as enabling lighter suspension components for improved response.

Power is provided by Lincoln Navigator's 5.4-liter, 3-valve V-8 engine, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, that generates 300 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque," the company said.

The report from the company also indicated that the engine of the Navigator is fully flex-fuel capable for the 2009 model.

It noted that a wide-ratio, 6-speed transmission has smaller steps between gears than a typical 4-speed automatic and has been made to offer improved shift quality and faster acceleration. "With a wide 6.02:1 gear ratio and two overdrive gears (fifth and sixth), the Lincoln Navigator's 6-speed offers up to a seven percent increase in fuel economy on the highway over a typical 4-speed automatic.

On the safety of the vehicle, the company pointed out that confident handling of the vehicle would help prevent accidents from occurring, because its safety system features a comprehensive package of features, which include standard AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control (RSC), which utilizes two gyroscopic roll rate sensors to enhance the vehicle's rollover resistance.

Some of the additional standard safety features in the vehicle include a dual-stage second-generation driver and front-passenger air bags that tailor deployment based on crash severity, safety belt usage and occupant size and a

three-row Safety Canopy side curtain air bags designed to activate in rollovers and side impacts for enhanced head protection.

There are also seat-mounted side air bags for the first row and energy-absorbing knee bolsters and glove box for the front passenger, while a

frame design in the vehicle, the company noted, meets the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers' vehicle-to-vehicle frontal crash compatibility voluntary agreement.

Some of the newly introduced standard key features in the vehicle include: 300 hp 5.4-liter flex-fuel V-8 engine with 6-speed automatic transmission; Genuine wood, leather, and satin nickel trim; 18-inch machined aluminum wheels; HID headlamps; Dual-zone electronic air temperature control; Lincoln SYNC; THX II-Certified audio system with 14 speakers, six-disc player compatible with normal audio, MP3 compressed or text format CDs; MP3 audio input jack; SIRIUS Satellite Radio; 10-way power adjustable driver/passenger seat with power lumbar and recline; Auxiliary climate control; power adjustable pedals; keyless entry keypad; power lift gate; Power-Fold third-row fold-flat seat; Heated and cooled front seats; Heated second row seats; pront park assist; rain sensing wipers; Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS); AdvanceTrac with RSC; Three-row Safety Canopy side curtain air bags; Front seat-mounted side air bags; Chrome exhaust tip; Dual power-folding mirrors with memory, integrated turn signal and puddle lamps; Reverse Sensing System; Rear View Camera; Driver memory seats and mirrors; perimeter anti-theft alarm; Easy Fuel capless fuel fill.

Lincoln Navigator L (Long Wheelbase) standard features include: 25 cubic feet of additional cargo space, Cargo management system and power running boards.

The vehicle, according to the manufacturer, has also been equipped with the state-of-the-art entertainment devices for best quality audio production.

"Standard is the Lincoln SYNC system which offers class exclusive, voice-activated control and connectivity of Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media devices in the vehicle, from iPods to memory sticks.

The next generation voice-activated DVD-based navigation system features a 6.5-inch touch screen designed for improved clarity and incorporates text-to-speech technology that reads and communicates directions and street names in three languages.

The Navigator is available with the industry's first THX II-certified audio system designed by THX, a California company renowned for its movie theater sound systems.

The award-winning THX II system uses the latest in patented THX technologies to bring the home theater surround sound experience to the open road. The system uses a 12-channel amplified to deliver 600 watts of power to 14 speakers, including two subwoofers that have been strategically placed in the cabin.

The system's processor takes into consideration bandwidth, peak audio levels and coverage uniformity to deliver a smooth spectral balance and wide dynamic range. Multi-channel equalisation and digital signal processing match the speaker placement to the cabin acoustic to assure this level of performance.

With the push of a button, the system can be configured for three specific listening modes - driver, front seats and all seats - ensuring that all passengers can enjoy optimal sound quality.

The system also features a fast-loading six-disc changer that reads CDs in normal audio, MP3 compressed or text formats. The AM/FM tuner is compatible with the Radio Data Broadcasting System (RDBS) and displays participating radio station call letters, formats and song titles.

If rear passenger entertainment is in order, Lincoln Navigator has an available entertainment system with an eight-inch screen and two wireless headphones to keep the sound contained," the report stated.