IRVINE, Calif., January 8, 2001 - The Lincoln Blackwood, an auto show concept vehicle brought to life for the 2002 model year, made its triumphant return to Detroit as the featured vehicle in Lincoln's line-up at the 2001 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) today.

First shown as a concept vehicle at the 1999 NAIAS, the Lincoln Blackwood will be available in dealerships in the first half of 2001. It is like no other vehicle on the road today. Blackwood wraps four passengers in an indulgent, luxurious cabin trimmed in black leather and wood. The exterior marries the dramatic presence of a deep-gloss black Lincoln Navigator with a unique and distinctive box-like trunk with a power-operated tonneau cover.

"We were so pleased by the public's enthusiasm for the concept Lincoln Blackwood we knew we had to build it," said Mark Hutchins, president of Lincoln Mercury. "The Blackwood delivers all of the emotional 'got to have it' appeal of the concept, and we'll keep production limited to enhance its exclusivity and collectibles."

Jim Rogers, Lincoln Mercury general marketing manager, added, "The Lincoln Blackwood is American Luxury because it breaks all the rules about luxury vehicles. It completely erases the lines between luxury cars, SUVs and pickup trucks. Probably the best way to describe Blackwood is fun to drive and fun to be seen driving."

Design

The Lincoln Blackwood shares strong design DNA with the Lincoln Navigator, particularly in its front section. Complex-reflector headlamps, fog lamps and taillights stand out against the deep black paint, as do the chromed door handles, side mirrors and fuel-filler door.

The Lincoln star insignia decorates the rocker moldings and the bright grille, as well as the tonneau's center latch cover. To contribute to Blackwood's sleek appearance, the radio antenna is concealed in the rear window glass, and the grille is integral to the hood.

The exotic, heavily striated African Wenge wood of the show vehicle's box is interpreted for production in a three-dimensional composite surface for better durability, 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 metallic stripe. The interior of the trunk is trimmed with brushed stainless steel and accented with LED light strips. The Dutch-style rear doors bear the Blackwood name in widely spaced, chrome capital letters.

Blackwood is connected with the road surface by 18-inch bright-machined aluminum wheels and low-profile, black sidewall P275/55-R18 All-Season Michelin tires. The result is a stance designed to meld rugged confidence and elegance.

The Trunk

The Lincoln Blackwood's 27.5 cubic foot trunk is unique inside and out. Side-hinged Dutch doors and a hard tonneau cover that opens at the push of a button either from the key fob, interior overhead console or through a code on the driver's door keypad allow easy access to the stainless steel-lined trunk.

The tonneau is equipped with pinch protection and safety sensors that reverse the electric motor if an obstruction is detected. A power pull-down mechanism ensures secure latching. A manual override is housed within the rear passenger wheel housing.

Inside the trunk, the junctions between the side walls and the cargo floor are accented by two cool-to-the-touch LED light strips. Flush tie-down rings help secure larger items. Storage bins are built into the interior sides, and additional open bins are built into each Dutch door.

Interior Appointments

The Lincoln Blackwood offers comprehensive comfort and convenience features for both the driver and passengers. In fact, the only optional luxury feature is a console-integrated satellite-based navigation system.

Interior highlights include dark-stained wood trim, black perforated leather-faced seats that offer a wide range of heating and cooling settings for the driver and front seat passenger, power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, a tilt steering column with duplicate stereo and climate control buttons, seven-speaker Alpine® audio system with subwoofer and six-CD changer, automatic climate control and auto-shutoff headlamps. The climate-controlled seats circulate heated or cooled air through the perforated leather using a dedicated fan and compact heat pump.

Blackwood's four low-back 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 passenger seats are power adjustable, with extended power lumbar support. The front seats, mirrors and adjustable pedals have a memory feature, to record two 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. There are a total of four 12-volt power points: one on the instrument panel (in addition to a cigar lighter), two in the rear passenger area and one in the trunk.

An overhead console offers an electronic display including a compass, distance to empty and average fuel economy readings. The Homelink System ^™ , located on the driver's sun visor, controls up to three remote-control devices, such as garage door openers. Controls on the console operate the power moon roof and the power tonneau cover.

An obstacle-detecting Reverse Sensing System is activated when reverse gear is selected.

Driving Dynamics

The Lincoln Blackwood is designed to offer superb handling and a smooth, quiet and controlled ride over a wide range of road surfaces. The suspension geometry was carefully engineered to reduce body lean during maneuvers. Tuned spring rates and a front stabilizer bar help maintain a level ride.