KENNY BROWN A3 AVIATOR; Flying in style.(Special Report)

Byline: NATALIE NEFF

Kenny Brown knows a little something about performance. Anyone who has driven one of his tuner cars-say, the 475-hp Ford Mustang Cobra S or 450-hp supercharged Mercury Marauder S-can bear witness to that. But the latest project by the company that carries his name, the 2004 Kenny Brown A3 Aviator, proves he also has a sense of style. Just what kind of style we haven't quite figured out; we'll call it, um, personal for now.

Oh, the gussied-up sport/ute looks fine from the outside. In fact, the $4,950 optional exterior package gives it a richer, more urbane appearance than the stock Lincoln (itself no styling slouch-for an SUV). The Aviator's unique grille, front and rear fascias and doorsills work well with its lowered suspension and 20-inch chrome wheels; it looks more polished, tied together. While we would never think to off-road the machine (has anyone ever off-roaded an Aviator?), we definitely felt at home cruising down Detroit's famous Woodward Avenue.

The interior, however, is a different story.

Playing off the vehicle's badge, Kenny Brown (kennybrown.com) teamed up with Avirex, a supplier of leather jackets to the Air Force-and now big-time supplier to the hip-hop scene-to give its Aviator a custom bomber jacket-inspired interior. No joke: All five seating positions are swathed in leather and wool shearling a la the crew of the Flying Fortress. Even the armrests-both over the center console and on the doors-are coated in the soft, white, puffy stuff. Feels nice in the hands and cushy on the, um, posterior regions, but we couldn't help wondering how the heck someone would keep it clean.

Okay, so perhaps practicality is beside the point; we know that style often comes with a price. Literally. Like $5,100. That's how much the custom interior treatment will set you back.

Style aside, the Kenny Brown Aviator adheres perfectly to the company's formula, with increasing levels of performance available as options packages. The Aviator starts with a base performance package, including a K&N fuel-injection kit and stainless cat-back exhaust, lowered springs, front and rear antiroll bars and 20-inch chrome wheels shod in 265/45-VR Pirelli Scorpion Zero rubber. ...