Ford Expedition History
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The Ford Expedition is a full-size sport-utility vehicle, based on the same architecture and powertrains that also make up the Ford F-150 and the Lincoln Navigator. It was first built for the 1997 model year, and effectively replaced Ford's old Bronco two-door sport-ute. Sized between the smaller Explorer and the now-discontinued Ford Excursion, the Expedition gained a long-wheelbase EL model in its second generation to better compete against the Chevrolet Suburban. In addition to that SUV, the Expedition also competes against the Nissan Armada, the Toyota Sequoia, and the GMC Yukon.
The first generation Expedition was produced from 1997 to 2002. Sharing the F-Series platform of the day, the Expedition could seat up to nine passengers. Buyers could choose either a 4.6-liter V-8 coupled to a four-speed automatic or a 5.4-liter V-8 with a four-speed automatic. Power output of 215 horsepower in the smaller engine rose to 240 hp with an upgrade in the 2000 model year; the larger V-8 saw power rise from 230 hp to 260 hp at the same time. The upgrades synced with a revised front end and rear end, the addition of side airbags as an option, and the availability of rear parking sensors.
The second-generation Expedition was sold from 2003 to 2006. With its upgraded architecture came an independent rear suspension that vastly improved the SUV's ride quality. It also helped the cargo space in the rear, enabling Ford to add a power-folding third-row seat. This Expedition's styling was smoothed and refined almost to the point of anonymity, especially inside, though the impression of quality construction grew with better-fitting trim. The drivetrains, including available four-wheel drive, carried over but in the 2005 model year the smaller V-8 was dropped. In the same year, Ford added a new version of stability control with anti-roll programming.
The current Expedition went on sale in 2007, and wears a much more straight-edged suit of sheetmetal than its predecessors. It's powered by a 310-hp 5.4-liter V-8, and in its makeover it received a six-speed automatic transmission. With 365 pound-feet of torque and a heavy-duty towing package offered, the Expedition can tow up to 9200 pounds. It also comes in an "EL" edition that's almost 15 inches longer than the standard SUV, with 24 cubic feet of additional room.
In the past three years Ford has added features to the Expedition lineup, even as SUV sales have crashed (last year, Ford sold about 15 percent of the number of Expeditions it sold in the year 2000). On the added-features list are a rearview camera, flex-fuel capability, a capless fuel-filler system, and Ford's SYNC entertainment controller, which connects drivers to phone and audio functions via Bluetooth.
In a green bit of irony, the big Expedition's been moved from its original home in Michigan to an assembly plant in Kentucky--so that Ford can build the new compact Focus lineup and a new electric vehicle in the Michigan facility.
