Ford Expedition 2015 Ecoboost..No V8..

[csv8]

The era of the body-on-frame, fullsize SUV is rapidly vanishing in favor of smaller, unibody crossovers. However, Ford still sees life in the segment with the reveal of the updated 2015 Expedition, now available (solely) with the company's 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. The new truck will make its public debut at the 2014 DFW Auto Show in Dallas on February 19.

The loss of the previous 5.4-liter V8 in favor of Ford's 3.5-liter, direct-injected, twin-turbocharged V6 engine might rankle some of the Expedition's fans, but Ford claims that the change gives the SUV better fuel economy, more power and increased low-end torque than before. Unfortunately, official engine specifications won't be released until later this year, but Ford says engine output will be similar to the 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque that this powerplant produces in other applications. The EcoBoost is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and the SUV now uses electrically assisted power steering, for an even greater fuel economy advantage. Ford claims this also allows for better maneuverability at low speeds and better feel at high speeds.

Exterior styling is basically unchanged for 2015. The front end has a new, three-bar grille (the old one had four bars) and headlight design, but the lower air dam gets added chrome and LED lamps. The rear gets more brightwork on the hatch, and there's a chrome-tipped exhaust pipe. As before, Ford is offering the Expedition in two wheelbase lengths – 119 inches and 131 inches. A new, optional, continuously controlled damping system alters suspension settings constantly based on 46 parameters and offers comfort, normal and sport modes (just like the Expedition's sister, the recently refreshed and decidedly less-attractive Lincoln Navigator).



While interior volumes are unchanged for 2015, the the instrument panel is revamped with two new 4.2-inch LCD screens between the central speedometer. MyFord Touch-equipped models also get a new, eight-inch touchscreen. The Expedition also gets new tech goodies like blind-spot alert, cross-traffic alert, push-button start, a rearview camera and apps for the infotainment system to help with towing and off-road driving. A new, luxury-oriented Platinum trim level makes many of these features standard, and offers a choice of dark red leather seats or black leather with gray accents.

The 2015 Expedition will enter production at the company's Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville later this year, and Ford will add XLT, Limited and King Ranch trim levels later. While the technological improvements will certainly be welcome, will the traditional buyers of the Expedition be willing to accept turbocharged V6 power? We will be able to answer that better when Ford releases official specs and fuel economy figures. If they're anything like current F-150 buyers, we certainly think so.
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/18/2...%28Autoblog%29

[CyberWasp]

The dash layout is done in a way that would make it easy to make in RHD.
Does anyone think it has any chance of getting here?

[mik]

looks good, they must be very confident in the v6 to do away with the v8 .

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

The dash layout is done in a way that would make it easy to make in RHD.
Does anyone think it has any chance of getting here?

Have you seen how popular the non diesel Y62 Nissan Patrol has been?
Apparently Nissan HQ didnt want to sell it here; Nissan Oz did, so they had to front the cash for the RHD engineering. Its been an epic flop.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

The dash layout is done in a way that would make it easy to make in RHD.
Does anyone think it has any chance of getting here?

Definitely not this time around, but an all-new one is coming in 2-3 years, as this is just a refresh. The next one will be based on the 2015 F150 platform with an aluminium body, 10 speed auto, and possibly an optional 3.0L V6 diesel.

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Have you seen how popular the non diesel Y62 Nissan Patrol has been?
Apparently Nissan HQ didnt want to sell it here; Nissan Oz did, so they had to front the cash for the RHD engineering. Its been an epic flop.

Sad that people won't consider anything other than diesel because of fuel economy, because this EcoBoost will get about the same 10.6-13.6L per 100 kms (17-22mpg) that the Land Cruiser 200 V8 diesel gets. Nissan Australia could solve all its problems by offering a Cummins ISV 5.0 V8 diesel with 220KW/750 Nm that Nissan USA has contracted with Cummins to build for the Titan.

[2011G6E]

As with the otherwise-excellent Toyota FJ Cruiser which was also engineered in the USA, there's probably going to be no diesels.

For some reason, the Yanks see diesel as "truck fuel" and using it in a car is so novel, so outlandish, so unexpected an idea that there's a great Audi TV advertisement we saw in the states which makes a massive point of people not expecting someone to put diesel in a passenger car.
In a lot of servos' we saw, it was like the old days here in Australia where the diesel pump would be waaaay over to the side on its own on a greasy piece of concrete, not placed with the "normal" fuel pumps. I think the Yanks had access to dirt cheap petrol for far too long to even begin to worry about fuel economy until the last ten years or so.

Lack of a V8?
There are other engines besides V8's.... They used to say "there's no subsititute for cubic inches"...but that's not true and hasn't been for some time. The real answer to that statement is "Yes there is..."modern technology"..."

Yep...that dash could easily be left or right hook, couldn't it. If someday it did come here, how well it sells would greatly depend on build quality inside (no flimsy plastics and cheap fittings in a car that, sold here, would have to be nearly a hundred grand), and whether it's up to the standards we've come to expect here in Australia.

[Grunter]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

..Lack of a V8?
There are other engines besides V8's.... They used to say "there's no subsititute for cubic inches"...but that's not true and hasn't been for some time. The real answer to that statement is "Yes there is..."modern technology"..."
....

Cubic Inches plus modern technology = the real answer!

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by mik

looks good, they must be very confident in the v6 to do away with the v8 .

Go and have a look at some EcoBoost Vids and look around for some info on the 3.5LTT V6. Its a very competent and reliable motor thats for sure. If you havnt seen the EcoBoost torture test have a look for it.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

As with the otherwise-excellent Toyota FJ Cruiser which was also engineered in the USA, there's probably going to be no diesels.

For some reason, the Yanks see diesel as "truck fuel" and using it in a car is so novel, so outlandish, so unexpected an idea that there's a great Audi TV advertisement we saw in the states which makes a massive point of people not expecting someone to put diesel in a passenger car.
In a lot of servos' we saw, it was like the old days here in Australia where the diesel pump would be waaaay over to the side on its own on a greasy piece of concrete, not placed with the "normal" fuel pumps. I think the Yanks had access to dirt cheap petrol for far too long to even begin to worry about fuel economy until the last ten years or so.

Lack of a V8?
There are other engines besides V8's.... They used to say "there's no subsititute for cubic inches"...but that's not true and hasn't been for some time. The real answer to that statement is "Yes there is..."modern technology"..."

Yep...that dash could easily be left or right hook, couldn't it. If someday it did come here, how well it sells would greatly depend on build quality inside (no flimsy plastics and cheap fittings in a car that, sold here, would have to be nearly a hundred grand), and whether it's up to the standards we've come to expect here in Australia.

Problem with Diesels in the US is that they have much tougher emission laws, tougher than Europe.
Diesels emit 10-20x more Nitrogen Oxide (a carcinogen, and leading cause of smog and acid rain) than an equivalent petrol engine.
Even super clean diesels like VW Bluemotion and Mercedes Blutec still emit more NOx than a petrol engine.
Cars in the US are also required to do 100k miles on the original emissions equipment. Something diesels have trouble doing, most diesels will require a new DPF before then.

[Wretched]

Going to be the odd one out here and say I am not a big fan of the style.
It looks like a retro 80s design on the outside and the interior just looks messy.
Sorry does nothing for me. Ford Explorer interior looks like a better design.
I like the EcoBoost powerplants though.

[jpd80]

More torque (55 lb ft) , More horse power(50 hp) , 15% more fuel economy...

[Bossxr8]

I saw this this morning on the Ford intraweb, and the comments from Ford US employees were all commenting on how the lack of the V8 is a big mistake. The Ecoboost might be a good choice but it's just not a V8, and people who buy these things want V8's. Pretty much all the Chev large SUV's have nothing but V8's in them.

[danzvtil]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I saw this this morning on the Ford intraweb, and the comments from Ford US employees were all commenting on how the lack of the V8 is a big mistake. The Ecoboost might be a good choice but it's just not a V8, and people who buy these things want V8's. Pretty much all the Chev large SUV's have nothing but V8's in them.

its strange how the ford employees dont realize that in order to meet ever tightening CAFE standards, V8s are out in favour of downsized turbo engines which are more fuel efficient.Ford dont have a choice in the matter.

[Bossxr8]

Doesn't stop them putting V8's in F series. Nor does it stop Chev from fitting a V8 to just about every SUV they build. The sales of the Expedition are not high enough to even slant the CAFE regs anyway. It's ok to sell V8's in small enough numbers because it won't alter the average much, if at any.

[Road_Warrior]

Arent Ecoboost sales in the F-150 outselling the V8 versions? i.e it is now the engine of choice (I know what I'd get, it would be the 5.0 but that's not the point)

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I saw this this morning on the Ford intraweb, and the comments from Ford US employees were all commenting on how the lack of the V8 is a big mistake. The Ecoboost might be a good choice but it's just not a V8, and people who buy these things want V8's. Pretty much all the Chev large SUV's have nothing but V8's in them.

The Chevs only offer the 5.3 unless its a Denali or Escalade. No low end torque at all! The EcoBoost will kill it, and also kill Ford's own 5.0.

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Arent Ecoboost sales in the F-150 outselling the V8 versions?

Yep!

[2011G6E]

This is the advert we saw in Vegas. HAd me puzzled as hell the first time I saw it..."so what, she's putting diesel in a diesel car? What's the big surprise?"

Then it was pointed out to me how rare it was for people to use diesel in passenger cars and SUV's and big utes over there (if a diesel option was available at all), and it all became clear...
http://youtu.be/amBTr9kcJes


I'd agree about the outdated styling on that Expedition. Not a bad looking vehicle, and it doesn't follow the gaping mouth design a lot of the rest of the Ford family has at the moment. Wonder what the forthcoming full-update one will look like?

Maybe doing away with the V8 could help them sell more in foreign markets where V8's just aren't that popular? Even here in Australia they're becoming a niche market. I mean, Toyota is forcing people to have a V8 in the Landcruiser...foolishly in my opinion as it doesn't feel to have any gains over the old 4.2TD when you drive one...and Nissan has shot themselves in the foot by making a petrol-only V8 Patrol that no one seems to want to buy. Maybe Ford is being clever by being able to point to lower running costs of a smaller more efficient engine, but still with the full-size SUV space?

[Moby Vic]

Originally Posted by mik

looks good, they must be very confident in the v6 to do away with the v8 .

More like they know fuel economy standards are tightening.