Filed under: Trends, SUVs, Trucks/Pickups
Ford unleashes 2007 Expedition on unsuspecting Texans
Everything's bigger in Texas, and that goes double for the trucks-- which neatly explains why the Blue Oval chose to debut the 2007 Expedition at this year's Houston Auto Show. Well, that or Ford elected to unveil their latest away from the bright lights of the 'biggies' (Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, etc.) in what might be described as 'tellingly meek' fashion. While there's nothing timid about Ford's biggest bruiser, Ford's quiet unveiling will likely be seen by some as a reaction to the increasing scorn (and decreasing sales) beleaguering the full-size SUV market.
Now available in two lengths, Gigantic (standard) and Leviathan (EL--stretched a further 14.8"), the Expedition effectively replaces the big-daddy Excursion, which be-villained Dearborn among conservationists while netting the automaker handsome profits and devoted fans among those with a penchant for large 'lifestyle accessories.'
The exterior is plainly evolutionary, but appears to have made good use of the three-bar grill spreading throughout Ford's stable, along with a bulging hoodline and confident new headlamps. Overall, the effect is familiar, but easily more successful than the somewhat awkward looking face of the new-for-2006 Explorer.
[Full details and specifications, plus 15 more photos after the jump]
The exterior is plainly evolutionary, but appears to have made good use of the three-bar grill spreading throughout Ford's stable, along with a bulging hoodline and confident new headlamps. Overall, the effect is familiar, but easily more successful than the somewhat awkward looking face of the new-for-2006 Explorer.
When it comes to the greasy bits, the big news is that the 5.4L Triton eight-cylinder (good for 300 horses and 365 lbs.-ft. of torque) is now yoked to a standard six-speed automatic. As one might reasonably hope for in a vehicle weighing a minimum of 5,500 lbs., enlarged four-wheel ABS-abetted discs are matched with traction control (AdvanceTrac) and anti-turtle tech (Roll Stability Control). All and sundry comes mounted to a closed-box frame 10-percent stiffer than the outgoing Expedition. Properly equipped, the Expedition can tow in excess of 9,100 lbs., or approximately 827 full-grown miniature dachshunds (if one is given to that sort of thing).
On the suspension front, a revised rear five-link setup includes monotube gas shocks and a strengthened rear axle, which still affords enough interior space to fold the third row flat. As is the way these days, rolling stock choices vary from 17" (XLT) to the all-important optional chrome 20" wheels (Limited).
The interior benefits from the dramatic material improvements first issued on the F-150, with options including a rear-seat entertainment system brandishing an 8.5" display, heated and cooled front seats (sorry, kids), and a Centerslide™ middle seat that can be moved closer to Mom n' Dad, Volvo XC-90 style. An improved sat-nav system with 6.5" screen shares console space with an MP3-capable stereo.
Naturally, in case anyone (or anything) is foolish enough to chance a run-in with the Expedition's continental
bulk, a raft of airbags stand at-the-ready, including new seat-resident side airbags and third-generation safety canopy
covering all-three rows of dachshunds passengers.
With Ford having appeared to have thrown everything in the latest Expedition but the proverbial scullery Kohler, what's missing? A price, for starters. Oh, and those pesky fuel economy figures.
The 2007 Expedition is set to lumber into dealerships this fall.
QUICK SPECS
POWERTRAIN
5.4-liter 3-valve Triton™ V-8
• 300 hp @ 5,000 rpm, 365 lbs.-ft. @
3,750 rpm
• Standard 6-speed automatic transmission
CHASSIS
Wheelbase: 119.0 in.
(EL 131.0 in.)
Height: 77.2 in. (EL 77.7 in.)
Length: 206.5 in. (EL 221.3 in.)
Max width: 78.8 in.
Brakes: Four-wheel power disc brakes with (ABS) and AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control)
SUSPENSION
Front: Double wishbone short- and long-arms (SLA) architecture with coil-over, gas
filled shocks
Rear: Multi-link independent
WHEELS AND TIRES
XLT: P265/70R17 A/S BSW
tires/17 in. painted aluminum wheels
P265/70R17 A/T OWL tires/17 in. machined aluminum wheels
Eddie
Bauer: P265/70R17 A/S OWL tires/17 in. aluminum wheels
P255/70R18 A/S OWL tires/18 in. machined
aluminum wheels
Limited: P255/70R18 A/S OWL tires/18 in. machined aluminum wheels
Optional 20 in.
chrome clad aluminum wheels
CAPACITIES
Seating Capacity: 5-9
Curb weight (2WD):
5,578 lbs. (EL 5,928 lbs.)
Cargo volume behind front row: 108.2 cu. ft. (EL 130.8 cu. ft.)
Cargo volume
behind second row: 54.9 cu. ft. (EL 85.5 cu. ft.)
Maximum payload: 1,800 lbs. (EL 1,700 lbs.)
Maximum towing capacity: 9,100 lbs.
AVAILABILITY
On sale: Fall 2006
Price: Will
be announced closer to launch
These specifications are preliminary and subject to change.
[Source: The Ford Motor Company]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Christian J 9:36PM (1/27/2006)
Classy looking SUV. No doubt people will say how its not as good as the 7-8 nearly identical (and oldfashioned) GMs available. Fraid not. First in class 6-speed? Awesome. IRS? Awesome. Non-1995 Grand Am interior (a la GM)? Awesome. I don't need one, but this truck looks nice.
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jl 9:59PM (1/27/2006)
Great!! More honking SUVs for more fat ass Americans!!!
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mpeng 10:07PM (1/27/2006)
I'm surprised Ford/DCX hasn't come up with a 'burb fighter until now...come on DCX, your turn! That thing got a HEMI? Yeee hawwwwwwww!
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Bob 10:07PM (1/27/2006)
I think this is a great looking SUV and I would pick it over the new Tahoe, based on looks alone, if I were in the market for such a large vehicle. I reserve absolute judgement until I see some detail road tests!
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speed42 10:13PM (1/27/2006)
Who DOES need one? Crap. I love the way in that graphic how the truck is four times bigger than the camper and boat. You can pull a boat with a Toyota Camry. With this thing you can pull a freakin' oil tanker! And probably need to.
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Hammer 10:25PM (1/27/2006)
WRITER IS BIAS.
It seems cost cutting at Ford means no longer cutting a check to writer Chris Paukert. I sense a little (just a little) bias in this article. Very 'professional' stand point from a non-bias columnist. I suppose Chris would like Ford to cancel the Expedition. There is only a market demand for 130,000 a year. I WONDER IF HE WOULD USE THE SAME SARCASM WHEN WRITING A REVIEW FOR THE TOYOTA SEQUOIA OR THE NISSAN ARMADA. I suppose someone forgot to tell him we live in America, not the Soviet Union. Here we get to decide what we want. We're not forced to buy subcompact shit boxes!
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skoobz 10:40PM (1/27/2006)
shut your pie hole speed. just cuz you can't afford it or afford to fill it up doesn't mean no one needs it. those living in large open areas like montana or colorado needs it. all that power to tow horses and gear and passengers to the livestock shows. i have a wife, 1 kid and 2 dogs. and i have a 4runner, and it comes handy for the stroller and trips to costco. try hauling all that in a prius. if i have 3 kids, then this is definitely getting my money. hell, if i lived in wyoming and needed to buy a month's worth of grocery in town, i'd get it with my small family.
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md 11:00PM (1/27/2006)
"You can pull a boat with a Toyota Camry"
Uh...no. Sure the camry can pull 2000 pounds. But the hull of a boat under 20 feet weighs about 1000 pounds. Now add in the engine (a few hundred pounds depending on size) and accesories in the boat. Don't forget the trailer! it will typically add up to well over 2000 pounds. Definitely not safe. Remember when you load up your vehicle with your family and cargo, you cannot tow as much. My neigboor has a small dingy that he has attempted to tow with his lexus ES, which is structurally similar to a Camry. While the dingy is not heavy at all, once he has his car loaded up it becomes a real strain on the vehicle. He also complained of it being very unstable in crosswinds
You cannot go by the tow rating alone, outside factors can become severe safety issues if you are pushing your vehicle's limits. Now you don't need a full size SUV to tow a small center console boat, but larger boats are definitely best left to large vehicles. I don't know much about campers, but a little popup trailer puts a real strain on my uncle's minivan. a crossover would be adequate for him, but a larger solid camper would need a body on frame SUV.
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Mike O. 11:05PM (1/27/2006)
I was hoping for an updated engine but I guess Ford is content with the same 3 valve design. I just hope that the updated Navigator will receive a more powerful and exclusive engine.
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NoOilFromCommies 11:06PM (1/27/2006)
Hugo Chavez gives it two thumbs up! Ka-Ching!
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TJ Hickman 11:10PM (1/27/2006)
only 300 hp available in a 5500 lb suv? the current expedition is way too slow, it doesn't look like this one will improve that situation. Ford really needs to catch up to Nissan and Dodge in terms of hp and acceleration. Forget for drag racing; I wouldn't want to tow anywhere near maximum capacity with only that much power.
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Juan 11:10PM (1/27/2006)
Relax Hammer, he was trying to be funny. And people who can take a joke (or anyone not in bed with the UAW), laughed. I won't claim to know whether or not his wit extends to Toyotas, but if it did, I'd laugh then too.
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max 11:15PM (1/27/2006)
"Non-1995 Grand Am interior (a la GM)? "
Apparently you haven't seen the new GM interior.
Though this interior is quite sharp indeed.
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Heywood Jablowmi 11:17PM (1/27/2006)
I am just amazed with so many comments from folks who either "don't need one", or are just too afraid to own something that isn't quite politically correct enough. If you have a large family, 2 dogs, a boat, etc., then a vehicle like this is very practical. I don't have cats, and row boat, so towing with a Camry isn't really an option. Maybe I should seek the approval of my bleeding heart lefty friend before I buy one.
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LTron 11:22PM (1/27/2006)
Haha. I got a good laugh from the two losers who posted directly above me (Hammer and Skoobz). These are the same kind of people who think H2's are really awesome. Skoobz, I'm glad you're one of the .00001% of people that go to livestock shows and has to take monthly trips to the "big city" to buy groceries...thanks for the insight.
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ben 11:32PM (1/27/2006)
The 6-speed auto should help acceleration a bit over the 4-speed. It should also boost mpg up a couple to 21/16 HWY/CTY. I think it looks great (especialy the interior), keeping in mind it isn't all-new, just a make-over.
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Hammer 11:38PM (1/27/2006)
Tron
Media brainwashed feminists like you get your jollies over the new Toyota Yaris...don't you!
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Chris 11:40PM (1/27/2006)
I like the Edge-like headlamps and bolder grill, especially compared to the current look. I also like the interior now compared to the current one. This has a nice mix of F-150 and Expedition unquie style inside that I think looks pretty upscale. Granted I wouldn't buy one but there is a market regardless to what some other say. People with a family of five and maybe a 20ft ski boat need a vehicle like this. I would love to see five people and their stuff fit in a Highlander and then tow their boat for a weekend get away. Although the new Tahoe has maybe the worst thrid row I have ever sat in! I am 5'9" and my knees were even with my shoulders sitting back there at the Detroit auto show. Surprised GM didn't find a way to get a little more room back there.
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Kevin L 11:52PM (1/27/2006)
I am not a ford fan at all, btu I think this is pretty nice looking rig. would I buy it, no. but it's good to know that not all fords have to look alike.
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NPW 12:22AM (1/28/2006)
I'd rather have a wagon, say a V70R that can haul the kids and dogs as well as haul @ss. For MOST people, SUVs are a status symbol. People feel powerful and safe in them. Look, if you truly drive one of these big boys for practical reasons, then fine, but it's obvious that the vast majority of SUV owners do not fit that profile. So, I'm tempted to blurt "just what America needs, another huge mofo of a vehicle."
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