The Lincoln Blackwood was introduced this year as an ultimate luxury
SUV/pickup truck hybrid. It was built to appeal to a narrow market that
wanted something special in a big luxury truck. The Lincoln Blackwood is
about a rugged style, perhaps best exemplified by a certain type of
self-made entrepreneur in the building trades.

Built on the Lincoln Navigator chassis, the Blackwood is a pretty
non-traditional SUV. First off, it is designed for on-road use with
rear-wheel drive the only available configuration. In some ways the
Blackwood is a luxury take-off on the truck/SUV concept pioneered by the
Ford Explorer Sport Trac. But the Blackwood drives the concept way upscale.

Unfortunately for Ford's luxury division, this target market must have been
even smaller than Lincoln guessed because the Blackwood is not included in
the company¹s vehicle catalogue for 2003. With just a few thousand vehicles
produced, the Blackwood might be a prime collectable one of these days.

The all-black SUV features room for four passengers in sumptuous luxury with
a pickup-style box at the rear with a power-operated cover to keep goods
safe from prying eyes and the elements. From the Blackwood¹s grille and
extending back through the rear doors, the newest Lincoln resembles the
Navigator. From the rear it looks like a special truck with wood grain side
panels.  The vehicle sports polished18-inch wheels and tires.

The Blackwood¹s interior features black leather and dark-stained wood. The
seats get the deluxe treatment with heated and cooled air made possible by a
fan plus a compact heat pump. But the seats do not include a power feature
to raise and lower the seat back, something we¹ve come to expect in
well-equipped family sedans.  The rear seating features low-back bucket
seats trimmed in leather. A rear center console storage bin and tray adds
cup holders and a tissue box holder just what rugged guys and gals require
on the road when they need a good cry.

The Blackwood is full of other surprises as well. For example, take the
Blackwood¹s box. Lincoln referrers to the storage area as a trunk and
perhaps there is some justification in the terminology, since it has a
permanently affixed cover that opens with a button on the car¹s remote
locking device. Perhaps the most surprising feature was that the box, or
trunk, was covered with removable carpet. To open the trunk, you first must
raise the cover and then open dual, side-by side doors that give access.
Whether it should be thought of as a trunk or a pickup truck box, it had
some unique features, including built-in LED lights and four recessed
tie-down hooks to secure your stuff. It also had integrated storage
compartments as well as power outlets for lights, a TV or air compressor.

With a V-8 engine that develops gobs of torque, the Blackwood accelerates
smartly and easily maintains any speed you¹d care to choose. The engine is
also relatively refined and free of excessive noise or harshness, even at
full throttle. The automatic transmission does a commendable job of
transferring power smoothly to the rear wheels. The engine and transmission
combo are capable of pulling a 8,700 pound trailer, which should accommodate
a couple of horses or Harleys.

The Blackwood¹s ride and handling are better than expected. On mountain
roads the Blackwood belies its nearly three-ton weight. Although bigger than
large, its steering response is respectably accurate. The ride quality is
comfortable, especially considering the Blackwood¹s truck chassis.

 Where the Blackwood becomes a pain is in city driving. It is one big mother
of a truck and if driving on crowded city streets isn¹t enough, just try
maneuvering it in one of those tight multi-story parking garages, which must
have been designed for the Honda Civic, not full-size-plus trucks. If you¹re
a gentleman rancher and confine your driving to rural reaches, the Blackwood
won¹t give you any problem. On the other hand, maneuverability isn¹t on the
Blackwood¹s list of capabilities.
 

Vehicle: Lincoln Blackwood

Price as tested: $52,500

Engine:

         Type: 5.4-liter, V-8

         Horsepower: 300 @ 5,000 rpm

         Torque: 135 ft. lbs. @ 2,750 rpm

Fuel economy, automatic transmission

         City - 12 mpg

         Highway - 17 mpg

Curb Weight: 5,700 lbs.