Addicted to chrome? Better check out the new Lincoln navigator at the ongoing Chicago Auto Show. Making its world debut last Thursday as one of the last few Lincoln’s to retain its original name for the 2007 model year, the 2007 Lincoln Navigator surprised the media with a massive chrome grill up front. In fact, the grille occupies about three quarters of the vehicle’s header panel.

According to Navigator designer Peter Horbury, the new chrome grille and other new styling cues were aimed to give the vehicle a lot more attitude. Additionally, he said that the design was meant to deliver a sense of “confidence and power”. To some critics, however, the inclusion of the huge chrome grille was simply a design consideration that went overboard.

But while the enormous chrome grille is the most noticeable modification for the new Lincoln Navigator, it is not the only new feature for the luxury SUV. In fact, a lot of other exterior features are new, like the newly designed HID headlights on both sides of the grille, the spruced-up taillights with a genuine Lincoln look, and the optional 20-inch chrome wheels. The vehicle’s interior also received a couple of modifications, the most noticeable of which are the extensive use of wood for the dash area, higher-grade leather for the seats, new set of gauges for the instrument panel, and a reshaped steering wheel.

Aside from new interior and exterior features, the 2007 Lincoln Explorer also comes with a new trim: the Lincoln Navigator L. Compared to the base Navigator, the L is 14.7 inches longer and rides on a wheelbase that is 12 inches longer. This provides the new trim level with an additional 25 cubic feet of storage behind the third row of seats, and even more with the third row seats folded down.

Both the regular Navigator and the Navigator L will be equipped with a 300 hp, 5.4-liter V8 engine mated with a six-speed automatic transmission. This is actually the same configuration used for the 2006 model, which puts the new vehicles in a bit of disadvantage because both are heavier. On the good side of things, the 2007 models are stiffer, thanks to the adoption of the Ford F-150’s front frame stub. Interiors are also expected to be quieter with the vehicle’s acoustic windshield, thicker glass and tuned mirrors.

According to Lincoln, the 2007 Lincoln Navigator would be on showrooms starting September this year while the Lincoln Navigator L will be available by January 2007.