ggbaird
Posts : 1925
Join date : 2013-02-27
 | | Subject: 2018 Expedition September 30th 2015, 9:06 pm | |
| New Ford Expedition on its Way for 2018
A Much-Needed Redesign for Ford's Family-Hauler - Quote :
- The Ford Expedition was released in its current form in 2006 as a 2007 model, so to say it's a bit outdated is an understatement. In spite of an extensive mechanical (and light cosmetic) refresh for 2015, the Expedition's aging bones are evident when comparing it to its fullsize competitors, the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, and the Cadillac Escalade. Those vehicles are available with a wide variety of safety and electronics features that just aren't compatible with the Expedition's older electronic architecture, and the Blue Oval's interior, while pleasant enough, is a half-step behind that of even its Bow Tie rival.
That is going to change, by the looks of these spy shots of an upcoming 2018 Expedition (or Bronco?) SUV, likely to be made extensively from aluminum and high-strength steel.
While the first-generation Expedition closely aped the styling of the F-150 upon which it was based, the second- and third-generation family haulers sported a unique face. The fourth-gen Expo looks like it'll return to form, adopting the high-tech look of the all-new F-150. Slim, vise-shaped headlamps frame a large hexagonal grille to great effect, while the door skins look like they're plucked straight from the F-Series. (Note that you're looking at a short-wheelbase Expo, with wheel arches cut into the rear doors. Expect a long-wheelbase Suburban-fighter to show its face again.) Around back, there's a very oddly cobbled passenger cabin over the third row with low-cut windows that don't line up with the doors' beltline. That could be a production feature aimed at alleviating third-row claustrophobia, but we hope it's just a prototype quirk, as it looks awkward. Current-generation mockup taillamps are recessed into the rear bodywork, suggesting the new Expedition is wider.
The F-150 pilfering continues indoors, with a dashboard profile that apes that of the pickup, at least in the slightly obscured view our spy shooters were able to capture. If that's the case, then the Expedition (and the anticipated Lincoln Navigator luxury SUV twin) will finally get features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and active parking assistants, bringing it firmly into the modern era.
Ford already replaced the boat-anchor 5.4L Triton V-8 in the Expedition with the much newer EcoBoost 3.5L V-6 in its 2015 update, and we doubt that motor will go away in 2018. In fact, it's possible the smaller 2.7L EcoBoost V-6 could appear as a standard engine, given the Expedition's newfound lightness. Looking closely at the mule in these images, it's clear the Expedition will maintain its segment-exclusive independent rear suspension, a layout that makes the full-sizer the most spacious vehicle on American roads in its extended-length EL form.
Due sometime in 2017, the 2018 Ford Expedition should again establish the brand (and its Lincoln counterpart) as a formidable competitor in the fullsize family SUV segment after a period of stagnation. But the topic on everyone's minds is "Bronco." Could that awkward rear bodywork instead hide a removable topper, a la two-door Broncos of yore? Is Ford readying another fullsize, short-wheelbase convertible SUV to fill the hole woefully left behind by the old Bronco, which last chased down highways in 1996? We certainly hope so, and we hope they'll build a Raptor too.  Truck Trend | |
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