2007 Ford Expedition is Ready to Roll

Amidst the darkening clouds of uncertain fuel prices and shifting public attitudes, Ford boldly introduces its all-new Expedition for 2007.

In appearance, the Expedition appears to h ave retained many of the previous trucks body panels, with the notable exception of the front clip that now features a more prominent hood and a grille with four horizontal bars that, depending on the trim level, are coated in either chrome or paint.

More serious changes have taken place underneath the Expeditions skin with an all-new boxed-frame chassis thats 10- percent more resistant to bending and twisting. Similarly, the front suspension subframe has been beefed up and an improved second-generation independent rear suspension installed.

The IRS is Fords magic bullet that allows the Expeditions third- row seat to fold flat into the load floor (as does the split- folding second-row bench) for maximum cargo room.

The back-row folding process can be manually controlled or initiated with the power-folding option that for 07 handles the task more quickly and smoothly.

The rest of the Expeditions cabin has received a variety of updates including a lengthened front- seat track so drivers between 4 feet 11 inches tall and 6 feet 4 inches tall can find a comfortable position.

As before, the sole powerplant is a 300-horsepower, 5.4-liter V- 8 that puts its 365 lb.-ft. of torque to the ground through a six- speed automatic transmission.

This year there are only three Expedition models. The XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited can be ordered in rear- or four-wheel drive and each can be ha d in extended-length EL format. This means youll get nearly 15 inches of added length, a one-foot increase in wheelbase and a giant leap in cargo capacity.

The full-size sport-utility market might be shrinking like an iceberg thats slowly drifting south, but there are still plenty of customers who need the space, cargo/towing capability and all- terrain performance these big rigs can offer for work or for play.

Thats where the 07 Expedition, with its newfound style and toughness, seems ready and set to go.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

2007 Ford Expedition

Four-door, rear-/four-wheel sport-utility vehicle

5.4-liter SOHV V-8 (300 horse power)

Six-speed automatic

Front air bags ; side-curtain air bags; anti-lock brakes; stability control; traction control

MPG (city/hwy): 14/20

Price: $30,000

LOCAL DEALERSHIPS

Bob Hurley Ford

445-2700

745 W. 51st St.

United Ford South

280-6000

97th Street & Memorial Drive

United Ford North

280-6000

550 N. Memorial Drive

Joe Cooper Ford

346-6500

3400 S. Sheridan Road

Sand Springs Ford

245-6677

924 E. Charles Page Blvd.

Jim Norton Ford

251-3673

1101 S.W. Expressway Drive,

Broken Arrow, OK

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