The 2015 Lincoln Navigator is out to make a statement. It’s using a blend of beauty and power to help them stand-out from the crowd. To enhance that beauty, Navigator Color and Material Designers are using Ziricote (Zer-ah-coh-tay) wood. A first in an automotive application, traditionally this wood is used on yachts, fine furniture and customized guitars, like those designed and built in Allen Park, Michigan by Gary Zimnicki.

“Instrumental Guitar Chording... :05-:07 seconds, then fade-out.”

Zimnicki says his one of kind Guitar making started about 13 years. The Ziricote (Zer-ah-coh-tay) tropical hardwood is native to South America, Southern Europe and Northern Africa, with colors that range from reddish to dark brown. The connection between his guitars, the choice of wood and the 2015 Lincoln Navigator comes down to Luxury and being one-of-kind. No two cuts of wood are the same for either the guitar or select portions the interior of the Lincoln Navigator.

“Well, I think everyone is trying to stand-out from the crowd in one way or another, so people who play guitars use guitars as a way of establishing their identity and if they can afford the luxury of having something that is just there’s and not like anything anybody else has ever owned, it’s a very good feeling.”

Likewise, the 2015 Lincoln Navigator is making a signature statement in the world of automotive luxury by using the Navigator Ziricote wood to establish their one-of-kind Luxury. Color and material design manager for the Lincoln Navigator, Barb Whalen, says Lincoln is the first automobile manufacturer to use this exotic wood.

“Ziricote wood that we’ve selected is from Africa, the reason why we have hand selected this wood is for its natural grain. The natural grain is not your typical linear grain, this is more of a landscape grain and you’re going to see rich reds and dark browns with highlights of black in those grains which complement the environment colors that we’ve selected for the reserve package for Lincoln Navigator.”

Zimnicki says when he looks at the wood, it reminds him of nature at its best.

“If you see an art print, like an abstraction of clouds in the sky or waves on the ocean, that’s what it always reminds me of. Just really pretty, the alternating brown and black, I think it’s really striking, I think it’s really cool.”

Whalen points out the Ziricote wood selected, is approved by the Forestry stewardship council and it is certified.

“How it’s certified is that this international committee, that’s a non-profit organization, insures that we are being responsible, that we are not depleting natural resources and that we are not using more wood which is planted.”

Whalen says the Ziricote wood surrounds you in the interior, so whether you’re the driver, or passenger you’ll be able to touch and experience this natural wood.

“There’s no bleaches, there’s no stains, there’s no dyes added to this wood, we have just put a clearcoat on top to insure it’s protected, but what you’re seeing is the grain itself with no additives or preservatives, and you’re seeing that natural beauty shine through.”

Production of the 2015 Lincoln Navigator is scheduled to begin late this summer at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Ky. and vehicles are due in Lincoln showrooms in early fall.