Lincoln unveiled the all-new 2020 Aviator at the 2018 LA Auto Show this week. The new Aviator is a sleek three-row SUVs, but it’s the powertrain for the top-of-the-line Grand Touring model that has piqued interest.
Lincoln states the Aviator Grand Touring is using a new 3.0L EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 that is paired with an electric motor and a “modular” version of the 10-speed automatic transmission to produce an estimated 450 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. The electric motor is placed between the gasoline engine the transmission. It’s sandwiched between the two.
The plug-in hybrid system uses a large batter (which you can see in the image above on the passenger side behind the transmission). The battery is right next to the driver-side fuel tank, and the battery is approximately the same size the fuel tank. The fuel tank is 19-gallons, according to Lincoln.
Update: Lincoln specified that this Aviator plug-in battery could be fully recharged in 3-4 hours using a (level 2) 240-volt charging system. What does it mean for the battery capacity? It’s difficult to estimate, but this information suggest the battery could be up to 28 kWh in size (approximately).
Lincoln was very careful and did not release the kWh size of the battery or the possible driving range on electric power alone. However, we do know that the electric motor adds about 50 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque to the overall power rating of the Lincoln SUV. The standard Aviator will come with a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 that is rated at 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. Of course, the electric motor in this system may be more powerful than 50 hp. Total hybrid power rating is usually not a simple addition of the gas engine and electric motor output. We just do not know many details yet.
The intriguing thing is that this plug-in hybrid system use a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Ford F-150 truck lineup uses the same family of the 10-speed automatic transmission as well. One can assume that the electric motor plus modular transmission can be easily adopted to the F-150. It’s the same “10R” automatic transmission family, according to Lincoln.
Ford already announced that a plug-in electric Ford F-150 is coming for 2020, but we do not know much else. Ford only said the hybrid truck will have enough stored on-board energy to power tools or other accessories via a plug in the bed.
The possibilities can be endless. We won’t know the exact and official specifications for the F150 Hybrid for some time, but Ford did call the F-150 Hybrid power “Enviable”. 450 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque in an electrified half-ton pickup truck sounds both doable and also enviable.
We will stay on top of this news as it develops.
Let us know what you think about an electrified Ford F-150 in the comments below.
Here is a closer look at the 2020 Lincoln Aviator that features a 3.0L EcoBoost V6 and the plug-in hybrid Grand Touring model.
