Press Release on E85

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 22, 2008 - Today at the Washington Auto Show and Automotive News World Congress in Detroit, Ford Motor Company announced its hot-selling compact SUVs, the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, will become more fuel efficient, more powerful and more connected for the 2009 model year.

Ford also announced that it is expanding its commitment to biofuels by adding three additional vehicles to its E85-capable flexible fuel line-up for 2009 - the E-Series van, as well as the standard and extended-length models of the Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs. These additional product actions are part of Ford's sustainability strategy, which also includes high-volume introductions of EcoBoost gas turbocharged direct injection engines.

Speaking today at Automotive News World Congress in Detroit, Ford Motor Company President and CEO Alan Mulally met with industry leaders and media to share today's announcement and discuss how Ford is accelerating the development of new products and technologies customers want and value. Mulally also reaffirmed that Ford will reach benchmark levels of new or significantly freshened products, delivering a showroom with 70 percent new or freshened vehicles by the end of 2008 and 100 percent by 2010.

"This year, we make good on our commitment to freshen our showrooms," Mulally said. "We just introduced the new 2009 Ford F-150 last week, and it was a hit. We also have Lincoln MKS and Ford Flex coming, as well as a new Mustang early next year."

At the Washington Auto Show, Sue Cischke, Ford senior vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, outlined the company's high-volume customer-focused strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve fuel economy.

"Ford Motor Company is increasing fuel economy and cutting greenhouse gas emissions with affordable technologies for millions of customers," said Cischke. "In the near term, we will leverage existing technologies to achieve those goals, including advanced engines and multi-speed transmissions. The 2009 Escape and Mariner are great examples of how we're delivering today."

FORD AND FUNKMASTER FLEX MUSCLE IN HOT NEW EXPEDITION Limited-edition 2008 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition

* Limited-edition 2008 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition set to arrive in dealerships in the fall of 2007.
* Funkmaster Flex breaks barriers to become one of the first African American and hip hop artists in history to have a mass-produced production vehicle.
* Funkmaster Flex Edition features custom two-tone paint, a complete 3d Carbon body kit and custom interior.

DEARBORN, Mich., Mar. 30 - Ford and DJ Funkmaster Flex, the hip hop guru of car customization, are turning the Funkmaster's red hot Ford Expedition concept into a limited-edition production SUV. The stylized version of the full-sized SUV, dubbed the 2008 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition, will hit Ford dealer showrooms later this fall.

In launching the Funkmaster Flex Edition, Ford is positioning itself for continued growth in the vehicle personalization marketplace with an expressive SUV that doesn't lose any of its Expedition authenticity, but highlights its style and presence.

"Once Ford and I finished the concept Expedition, we knew we had something serious! It was poppin'!" said Funkmaster Flex. "We then started showing it at auto shows, to dealers and to my fans and realized we hit on some themes that we could turn into a limited-edition production ride."

"Funkmaster Flex is finding ways to connect with new customers," said Barry Engle, general manager, Ford Division Marketing. "He is a perfect fit for the Ford brand because he brings so much energy and enthusiasm to the table. He knows what customers want and he can really deliver." Ford research shows that nearly half of all new-vehicle buyers are adding unique touches to their vehicles and Expedition is no exception. Modifications to the Expedition are as diverse as the needs of buyers - from adding additional off-road capability, to custom cargo storage, to adding touches for increased urban street appeal. Funkmaster Flex, a major influence in hip hop culture, has developed a young fan base of urban automotive enthusiasts who take pride in their personal style. Their vehicle often defines their lifestyle. Ford wants to reach these buyers with this new customized Expedition. Last year, Ford opened its Dearborn design studio doors to Funkmaster Flex to look at how to customize the new Expedition. Flex went to work with Ford designers to create an expressive concept that delivered the Expedition's SUV authenticity with a unique urban style and presence.

The limited-edition run of Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition, based of the existing short wheelbase, Limited model, will arrive at dealerships in the fall of 2007.

2008 Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition
Funkmaster Flex has strong opinions on customizing vehicles. Here, he shares some these thoughts and describes the new Expedition Funkmaster Felx Edition.

Step one is a custom paint job. "The scheme developed shouldn't be too busy or overloaded with color. You want to make a statement at a stop light with no overkill! Two-tone paint works best," says Flex. For his Expedition, he chose a two-tone Colorado Red and Black paint scheme with Orange pinstriping. The two-tone goes up and over the A-pillar into the power dome hood so that they don't distract from the most expressive part of the new Expedition, its front grille.

"Quality body kits are essential to any customization," says Flex. "They need to be expressive and distinctive without compromising drivability." Funkmaster Flex and Ford Design called upon Ford's longtime partner 3d Carbon in Newport Beach, Calif. to develop a complete body kit for the Expedition. 3d Carbon currently provides official Ford licensed body kit for the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ. The kit on the Expedition features an expressive custom front fascia with integrated fog lamps, side skirts, rear fascia and trailer hitch cover. The traditional roof rack has been removed.

Exterior personal touches are a must. "Make sure to add anything that you like as long as it's not gaudy. Get guidance from experts with these additions. Trust their advice. Chrome accents and custom badges can really define a vehicle," says Flex. The Expedition features custom Funkmaster Flex FMF chrome badges that accent the 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels.

"The interior needs to continue the theme of the exterior," says Flex. A matching Colorado Red center console bezel, shifter and switch bezels highlight the cabin. The seats feature appointed quad captain black leather skins with red-stitching and FMF red logo headrests. A red-stitch steering wheel and armrest center console accent the seats. FMF floormats rounds out the package. As an added touch, each Expedition will feature an exclusive numbered dash plaque signed by Funkmaster Flex.

Make sure the vehicle has all the options and a strong sound system. Based on the Expedition Limited, the Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition is available with the same interior standard and optional features. They include a standard 340-Watt Audiophile Sound System, MP3 player audio input jack, Powerfold third-row seat, heat and cooled front seats and optional navigation system, power liftgate, air suspension and rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

Ford Expedition Funkmaster Flex Edition Highlights

* 3d Carbon body kit with custom front/rear fascia and side skirts
* Two-tone Black and Colorado Red paint with Orange pinstriping
* Funkmaster Flex badges on fenders
* Trailer hitch cover
* SIRIUS Satellite Radio
* 2nd row captain's chairs Interior
* Black leather interior with contrasting Colorado red stitching
* Colorado red shifter, center stack and door appliqu s/bezels
* Funkmaster Flex stitched logo headrests
* Limited-edition Funkmaster Flex numbered dash plaque
* 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels

About Funkmaster Flex
A New York City native, Funkmaster Flex is synonymous with hip hop. For over a decade, he has reigned as America's #1 Hip Hop personality, reaching more than two million listeners a week through his popular radio show. His production talents and artist relationships have earned him five gold records for major-label mix albums.

Funkmaster Flex has successfully connected his hip hop celebrity status to the auto industry to become a guru of car customization culture. Through his high-profile custom-car club, Team Baurtwell, Flex has customized cars for attention-drawing personalities like Sean Diddy Combs, Shaquille O'Neal and Orange County Choppers. Currently, Flex features these celebrities and their cars on his hit television series "All Muscle with Funkmaster Flex" airing on ESPN2. Now in its sixth year, his nine-city "Custom Car and Bike Show" keeps him constantly connected with the latest trends and styles happening in the automotive industry.

In 2005, Ford Motor Company started a relationship with Funkmaster Flex. He is currently focused on reinventing Ford's American car customization culture for an all-new urban enthusiast. To date, he has customized over 15 vehicles for Ford. At the 2005 Ford SEMA show press conference, Flex stole the show with a tuned Ford Fusion wearing a 3d Carbon body kit. His customized Ford Fusion and F-150 were featured attractions on his car show tour.

Flex also played important roles at the 2007 North American International Auto Show and the 2007 New York Auto Show International. Most recently, he made a cameo appearance in Ford's latest Fusion television and Edge radio commercials. In May, Ford will become the official sponsor of the reality television series "Car Wars with Funkmaster Flex," airing on ESPN2 and will feature Flex in a new television ad for the Ford Expedition.

And now the trilogy of advertising semi-randomness from FoMoCo is complete. In many ways we're thinking this is the last salvo of the Ford marketing team's attempt to show Alan Mulally they're relevant. And if they failed at it in any way like the second to last salvo, it's not going to end very well at all. But we digress, let's get back to the last two ads from FoMoCo's wild ride. They're a continuation of the buff mag hand-job product placement we've already seen called the "Fusion Challenge." If you don't remember that's when FoMoCo sponsored a Car & Driver happy ending product whoring escapade "independent test" involving the Hachette magazine's readers. In case "sponsored" isn't clear enough, here's a better pair of words to use — "paid off." Well, Car & Driver ain't the only Hachette mag involved in this little bit of intellectual reacharound action, now it includes the other ampersand-in-the-title car porn book. That's right, Road & Track was a part of the game as well, running their own little LA-based challenge, and with predictable results. The first ad's above, and the second's below the jump, along with the press release from Dearborn for some "independent" explanation of today's advertising fun. – Ray Wert

CONFIDENCE DRIVES 'FORD CHALLENGE' ADVERTISEMENTS

* "Ford Challenge" integrated marketing campaign highlights features that make Ford Fusion, Expedition EL and F-150 best in class.
* Ford Fusion tops Asian competitors in head-to-head L.A. shootout organized for Road & Track subscribers - results track success of similar drive in Washington, D.C.
* Ford Expedition EL trumps long-time segment leader in seating package, flexibility, ease of use and comfort.
* Ford F-150 features best-in-class towing and payload capability, and a new spokesperson ready to take on any tough job: Discovery Channel star Mike Rowe, creator of "Dirty Jobs."

STAR OF DISCOVERY CHANNEL'S 'DIRTY JOBS' JOINS 'BUILT FORD TOUGH' DREAM TEAM

DEARBORN, Mich., March 1, 2007 - Humor and the spirit of competition are at the heart of the "Ford Challenge" - a new integrated broadcast, digital and print marketing campaign for the 2007 Ford Fusion, Expedition EL and F-150 that begins airing this week.

"Ford products offer some of the best quality, the most advanced technology and sophisticated designs available today, and that's the focus of the Ford Challenge," said Cisco Codina, group vice president, North American Marketing, Sales and Service.

An overarching ad titled "Anthem" highlights Ford's strengths over the company's 103-year history and encourages consumers to take the Ford Challenge. Classic footage of the Model T introduces the commercial as a voiceover tells consumers, "They didn't buy the Model T just because it was priced right." Viewers then see images of today's strong product lineup as the voiceover says, "We had to prove ourselves then. And we're still proving ourselves today."

Consumer information on each of the products featured in these ads will be available on the Web site: www.fordchallenge.com. The site also will feature current sales and marketing offers, product reviews and competitive information from MSN Autos, Yahoo!Autos and Edmunds.com.

Ford Fusion

In the first "Fusion Challenge" event held in December 2006, subscribers of Car and Driver magazine ranked the 2007 Ford Fusion V-6 with all-wheel drive ahead of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry V-6 models in key areas like "styling," "handling" and "fun to drive" after a head-to-head comparison test.

Only top-of-the-line models were tested. The Fusion was tested with all-wheel drive, but that feature isn't offered on Camry and Accord. The price of an all-wheel drive Fusion is comparable to the price of these front-wheel drive V-6 powered Japanese sedans.

The sales and marketing campaign built around the Fusion Challenge has been an overwhelming success: Ford Fusion will post a double-digit sales increase in February compared with a year ago, and the percentage of conquest sales - customers new to Ford Motor Company - has hit an all-time high of 47 percent.

Now, Ford will launch new ads focusing on a rematch of the Fusion Challenge, held in January in Los Angeles for subscribers of Road & Track magazine. The results closely mirrored those of the Washington, D.C. event, with Fusion scoring higher than the imports on key attributes including "Precise Handling," "Attractive Styling," "Fun to Drive" and "Performs Well."

The first national television ad created from the event, "L.A. Launch Challenge: We Did It Again," marries driving footage with consumer comments. It debuted on Feb. 28 on the Fox network hit "American Idol."

Ford Expedition EL

The all-new 2007 Ford Expedition and extended-length Expedition EL are Ford's newest full-size SUVs. Introduced in the fall of 2006, the Expeditions deliver exceptional capability, functionality and toughness, and the Expedition EL already is winning head-to-head media comparisons in publications ranging from the Wall Street Journal to Motor Trend.

The Expedition EL will be featured in two new spots titled "Exercise" and "Work Out," which use humor to highlight the advantages of Expedition's easy to use, flexible seats - especially its one-touch power-folding third row. In one ad, a fitness instructor uses the heavy, bulky third row seats of the Chevrolet Suburban - which have to be removed from the vehicle to carry many larger loads - for grueling physical training.

The ads for the Expedition EL will begin airing today.

Ford F-150

This year, Ford is launching the most capable heavy duty pickup ever built - the Ford F-Series Super Duty - and the most capable light duty truck ever - the Ford F-150. Together, these products will help the Ford F-Series build on its 30-year track record as the best-selling line of pickup trucks.

To help carry the message that F-150 - with its maximum tow rating of 11,000 pounds and payload capacity of more than 3,000 pounds - is ready for any job, Ford has recruited a new member to the "Build Ford Tough" marketing dream team: Mike Rowe, creator and star of the Discovery Channel's "Dirty Jobs."

In his series, Rowe explores the dirty side of earning an honest living. In his first F-150 spot, titled "Boxed," viewers will see Rowe at a campground where the Ford F-150 easily tows an 11,000 pound trailer, while it takes two trucks from the competition to pull the same load.

In the second spot, "Leaf Spring," Rowe is at a landscaping site helping a crew load massive amounts of landscaping material into the bed of the F-150. The F-Series is the only truck in its class that can carry 3,050 pounds, 890 pounds more than its closest competitor.

"'Dirty Jobs' celebrates the people who do the kind of jobs that make civilized life possible for the rest of us," said Mike Rowe, Ford spokesperson. "It's no coincidence that those people rely on Ford trucks to get the job done. I see it over and over again."

The new F-150 commercials begin airing nationally this weekend. Rowe will also appear in print and digital ads. International country music star and Ford Truck Man Toby Keith will continue to appear in Ford commercials for the F-Series.

Special Offers on Ford Challenge Products

To help continue momentum on the products featured in the new Ford Challenge ads, Ford is introducing a number of attractive retail and lease offers in conjunction with the debut of the new ad campaign.

* A"Sign and Drive" Ford Red Carpet Lease on the Fusion SE I-4, with payments of $249/month with $0 Down/$0 First Month's Payment/$0 due at signing (39-month term).
* Fusion customers can opt for a 2.9 percent APR for 60 months or $1,000 customer cash.
* Ford Expedition customers can select either $2,000 customer cash or 3.9 percent APR for 60 months.
* Customers can select either $3,000 customer cash or 0 percent APR for 60 months on all 2007 F-150 models (except Harley-Davidson SuperCrew).
* Full details on these offers, including terms and conditions, are available at www.fordvehicles.com or at local Ford dealers. The offers run through April 2.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 300,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.

Related:
Ad Watch: Ford Will Challenge Your Mid-Size To A Duel And Pay Car & Driver To Make It Happen; Ad Watch: Selling Ford Trucks Is A "Dirty Job"; Ad Watch: Ford Gives Chevy Suburban The Finger With New Expedition EL Ads[internal]

FoMoCo's dropped a blizzard of creative on us today and we're literally just trying to shovel our way through the mess of it as we speak. So we'll start off with the double shot of ads they're firing across the bow of the General's big-league profit-maker, the Chevy Suburban. True, the Expedition's already beating the Suburban in sales, but whatever, maybe they like the whole "underdog" role. It's either that or they're scared the big automaker from the D's looking at buying them up to along with the Chrysler Group. Whatever the reason, in the first ad above named appropriately enough, "finger," FoMoCo's giving their index a workout in a way not seen since digits were given the opportunity to do the walking almost a decade ago. Since they're out of practice maybe it's a good idea for them to start small with a button in the back of a heavy people hauler. The second ad, after the jump, is called "Third Row" and it's all about how there's more room in the third row of the new Expedition for Ford ad actors to, you know, "do stuff." Sounds kinky to us. What isn't kinky is how FoMoCo appears to be eschewing the "Bold Moves" tagline in lieu of the more sales-oriented "Ford Challenge" tag. Sounds to us like some company's just realized that they need to actually make bold moves before they start using that particularly adventurous phrase they've found themselves attached to. – Ray Wert

Related:
Ad Watch: Ford Will Challenge Your Mid-Size To A Duel And Pay Car & Driver To Make It Happen [internal]

Why You Should Buy This Car: You're Mormon, have a Napoleon complex or travel with a posse. You subscribe to the belief that it's both about the size of the boat and the motion of the ocean. You crave the most comfortable way to get from A to B, not the quickest; your seven friends and their dogs feel the same way. You want other drivers to change lanes instantly when you pull up behind them. You never want anyone to turn left on yellow in front of you. You dig how the giant chrome wheels create cool blacktop reflections as you roll. You need the 6,000+ lbs. tax dodge. You're homeless.

Why You Shouldn't Buy This Car: Three-ton cars are absurd; I've lived in smaller apartments. Ginormous SUVs are as early 2000s as the word "ginormous." Parking spots were not painted with the EL in mind. The unequal distribution of our planet's resources keeps you up nights. You hate having to shell out $80 at the pump every three days. Regardless of your actual needs, others will wonder why you need something so large. You don't like being laughed at. You will be laughed at.

Suitability Parameters:
· Speed Merchants: No
· Fashion Victims: No
· Treehuggers: No
· Mack Daddies: Yes
· Tuner Crowd: No
· Hairdressers: No
· Penny Pinchers: No
· Euro Snobs: No
· Working Stiffs: No
· Technogeeks: No
· Poseurs: No
· Soccer Moms: Yes
· Nascar Dads: Yes
· Golfing Grandparents: No

Vitals:
· Manufacturer: Ford
· Model tested: Expedition EL 4x4
· Model year: 2007
· Price as Tested: $50,150
· Engine type: 5.4L 3-Valve V8
· Horsepower: 300 hp @ 5000 rpm
· Torque: 365 lb-ft @ 3750 rpm
· Redline: 6250 rpm
· Wheels and Tires: 20" Aluminum wheels w/ P55/255
· Drive type: four-wheel drive
· 0 - 60: Come on
· 1/4 mile: No, really
· Fuel economy city/highway: From Ford's website, "Due to weight and vehicle classification, Expedition EL versions are not tested in EPA cycle"
· Observed fuel economy: 15.6mpg
· NHTSA crash test rating front/side/rollover: NA

– Jonny Lieberman

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Ford Expedition EL, Part 1, Part 2 [internal]

Exterior Design ****
For a Baby Huey, the Expedition EL is a svelte looking ride. The previous generation 'Peditions (and their even uglier Lincoln counterparts) were too tall for their relatively short length, such that they came across as hunchbacked. By stretching the wheelbase by two feet, Ford created a balanced, well proportioned SUV. From the side, that is. Head on (or worse, via rear-view), the 2007 model looks like an iron wall with nostrils. Fifth star action withheld for a forgettable rear end.

Interior Design ****
If not for the gloriously relaxing seats, I'd be handing out just two stars. That's because the EL is basically an F-150 inside. Notwithstanding Ford's recent line about tough luxury, people of means who buy large, comfortable SUVs like nice stuff, and I've seen better plastics on a barbecue-grill lighter. But back to the seats. Without fail, everyone I had try the front lounges said something like, "Wow. These are really comfortable." The back seats (and the seats in back of the back seats) are practically as good. Also, Ford's touchscreen nav/radio solution is the industry's best. And, for sheer entertainment, the rear-mounted button that closes the lift-gate never got old. Even though it beeps to warn you the gate will be closing, it'll still bash you in the head if you don't get out of the way. I like that.

Acceleration **
That the EL can even get up to freeway speeds merits more stars, but I'm not about to start handicapping these ratings. I still have no idea how long it takes this guy to hit 60 mph. How's this: It's faster than a house. Once you're bopping along at highway speeds, the 365 lbs. ft of torque served up by the 5.4-liter V8 (same as the Mustang GT500, though non-supercharged ) pulls it past slower SUVs with ease.

Braking ***
Three tons of fun is no fun at all to stop, so for most of my week with the Expedition I avoided emergency procedures. Still, as I am paid to find out, standing on the stop pedal both works and defies physics. It is also a good way to teach a child about the word "wobble." Two stars simply because it can

Ride *****
As good as it gets. Sure, above 80 mph the fat starts fidgeting, but like me, you might find it soothing. Regardless of velocity, you're driving around in a water bed. The massive wheelbase, 55-profile tires and a nice suspension tune proclaim comfort ber alles. And don't worry about bumps, jags or expansion joints; the EL sure doesn't.

Handling **
Many people complain it's not fair we subject trucks and SUVs to the same rigorous, exacting analysis we do cars. I agree, so I didn't even bother checking this guy's maximum hoonage potential. And if the seven-passenger GL450 didn't exist, I'd hand out more stars. As the big Benz exists in the form of itself, two stars is all I can give. Still, I've driven worse. In fact I'm driving worse right now (hint: random, hanging ass).

Gearbox *****
Ford's new six-speed slush box is great. It shifts seamlessly and the tall sixth gear lets you pretend the Expedition gets 20 mpg on the open road. And if you floor it, it holds the lower gear nearly to redline. Nice job, FoMoCo.

Toys ****
Let me count the ways: Sirius, CD-changer, GPS Navigation, DVD for the kids/those who forgot to yell "shotgun!," parking beeper, heated/cooled seats, electric fold-flat seats and a button that shuts the tailgate. There are some missing pieces, though. Only the driver's window is auto-down. And it doesn't auto-up. The air-conditioned seats - the world's best idea - barely work. And where's the rearview camera?

Trunk *****
130.8 cubic feet. Ridiculous.

Value ***
With every single option box checked, our EL went over the $50,000 barrier. That isn't cheap, no matter how you slice it. In fact, it's the most expensive Ford you can buy. Sure, it's a good vehicle, but $50,000 for a body-on-frame SUV that's had a few too many double Quarter Pounders? No thanks. Check fewer boxes? You could, but even though they don't work very well you just gotta get the AC seats. Plus, you'll grow to fear gas stations.

Overall ***
If gas were $0.90 a gallon, and free from both pollution and politics, the Expedition EL would make a lot of sense. But let's say for a second that you're rich and just don't care. While extremely utilitarian, the EL offers the driving dynamics of a shed, parking is unfun and people quite literally laugh as you pass. I liked my pet hermit crab, but the fact that he carried his house around with him everywhere he went was a little goofy.

– Jonny Lieberman

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Ford Expedition EL, Part 1, Part 3 [internal]

As wee ones, my sister and I wanted a dog, but the old man said no. Dogs control your life, he said, so in our household we instead adopted a string of short-lived b-list pets: turtles, hamsters, fish, a guinea pig and several frogs. At one point, we even had a hermit crab, though it died before growing large enough to shed its old shell in favor of a snazzy new one I picked out (and painted) for him. I mention this because if you purchase Ford's outsized Expedition EL, you will die long before you outgrow it.

GMC beat FoMoCo to the "XL" designation as a tag for its longest Yukon SUV. That left Ford scrambling to supply an alternate for its own stretch ute. But why EL? What does it stand for? Extra large? Extra long? Possibly either, though it might just as well be shorthand for El Barge. I cannot overstate this: the Expedition EL is a gigantic automobile. You, seven of your largest, malest friends and a Fiat 500 could all fit comfortably inside. With both rows of seats folded flat, Ford can brag about 130.8 cubic feet of storage. Much more impressive, with all the seats up there's 42.6 cubic footage available behind the third row. Let me put that in perspective. A Honda Fit, which is quite commodious with its seats down, offers 41.9 cubes. Of course, anything that doesn't fit inside the Expedition EL can be towed — over 9,000 lbs' worth.

Call it latent Liberal paranoia, but the big Ford's delivery date of November 27 made me nervous. In the run up to the election gas prices had been as low as $2.19 a gallon for regular, and I was convinced the Bush Administration's oil-company cronies were priming the GOP by deferring their profits. Nonetheless, my delusions remain unproven, as the EL returned surprisingly decent mileage numbers. I was expecting a single-digit nightmare, but hundreds of miles of mixed driving returned 15.6 mpg on the computer. That's about the same as a Shelby Mustang GT500. Still, despite a 500-mile range per fill-up, eventually the Expedition's 33-gallon tummy must be sated.

Nonetheless, the EL's ride is as civilized as teatime at the Pall Mall club. While uneven pavement sends shockwaves through Ford's F-150 pickup, which shares the company's T1 platform with the Navigator, Ford engineers sorted this horror show out with the Expedition. Replacing the leaf springs with a fully independent, multilink rear setup has paid massively comforting dividends. A friend and I made the 100-mile jaunt from LA to San Diego, and though our average speed was 90 mph, we were so relaxed at journey's end it's like we'd been flying business class. I'm not totally unconvinced this sucker's three-ton-plus curb weight didn't simply compress all the bumps, however.

The bottom line is the Expedition EL is useful, comfy and gets better mileage than an Audi RS4. But don't ask me if I'd buy one. Why? It is boring to drive. But aren't all cars of this epic magnitude dullards? No. For five-large over our tester's $50,000 price tag you could be hanging your tail out in a nearly as effing enormous practical Mercedes-Benz GL450, a car that seems to shrink when you flog it. The EL just gets larger and larger and larger and larger still. – Jonny Lieberman

Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Ford Expedition EL, Part 2, Part 3 [internal]

While we still greatly prefer the Volgamino (hell, we'd drive over our own mother in this here Tankpedition for just five minutes seat time in that jacked up Russian hottie), in a real-world breakaway republic situation, this might be the right tool for the job. Bumbeck to orgasm after the jump. – Jonny Lieberman

[mattracks]

Related:
No One Can Tell Clarkson He's Wrong, Top Gear Is A Battlefield [Internal]

Without Funkmaster Flex, the $3 billion automobile aftermarket business would probably be worth no more than, say, $2.7 billion — tops. That's probably why Ford's backed its private Brinks truck up to Flex's crib for two years running. This year, Flex signed his name to a customized 2007 Expedition that Ford plans to show off at the SEMA show next week. The modded SUV gets a cosmetics overdub by way of something called the Street Scene(R) body kit, 24" wheels, two-tone black-and-red paint scheme and a custom interior including de rigeur DVD screens and high-performance audio system. No word on whether the truck will also show up as a special marshmallow in Lucky Charms or as a guest character on "According to Jim." – Mike Spinelli

Related:
Funkmaster Flex to Show Modded Fusion at SEMA [internal]

* Redesigned 2007 Ford Expedition will add standard AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control) and three-row Safety Canopy side curtain airbags - and start below $30,000.
* Across the range, 2007 Expedition base MSRPs will average $4,300 less than 2006 models, despite more comfort, capability and new standard equipment.
* All new, extended length Ford Expedition EL introduced to cater to customers who need more seating and cargo capacity than the standard model.
* All Expeditions will offer the best package of warranty and roadside assistance of any full-size SUV.
* Ford is expecting as much as a 9-percentage point improvement in resale values.

DEARBORN, Mich., July 24, 2006 - The new, redesigned 2007 Ford Expedition is bolder, more comfortable and capable, and it will feature standard Safety Canopy three-row side air curtains, AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control) and a starting price below $30,000, including destination and delivery. In addition, the Expedition will offer the best warranty and roadside assistance package of any full-size SUV.

Across the Expedition range, manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRPs) have been reduced an average of $4,300, compared with 2006 models, despite more standard equipment. Base MSRPs for the 2007 Expedition range from $29,995 to $40,745.

Prices for comparable 2006 models range from $33,480 to $44,460. All prices include destination and delivery charges of $820.

The new Expedition limited warranty - like all 2007 Ford brand products - begins with bumper- to-bumper coverage for three years or 36,000 miles and includes five years or 60,000 miles of powertrain coverage. The warranty is fully transferable and there are no deductibles. Complimentary roadside assistance is offered for the full duration of the warranty.

"The Way Forward plan is driving our product strategy, which is founded on bold American design, innovation and creating real value for consumers," said Al Giombetti, president of Ford and Lincoln Mercury Marketing and Sales. "We're already seeing meaningful improvements in the resale value of Ford products as we launch new vehicles, add more standard features and content and introduce straightforward pricing."

For example, Ford is estimating that the 36-month lease-end residual values of the 2007 Ford Expedition will be as high as 49 percent - a 9-point increase compared with the 2006 model.

More Capable, More Comfortable,

Since its introduction in 1997, Expedition has led the full-size SUV segment through innovation, introducing several firsts to the full-size SUV segment - including independent rear suspension, fold-flat seats with an available power-folding third row, Safety Canopy side air curtains and AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control).

For 2007, Ford has redesigned the Expedition from top to bottom, and made many innovative features and technologies standard equipment, including.

* A bold new exterior design inspired by Ford F-Series pickup trucks.
* 5.4-liter Triton V-8 engine (300 hp, 365 lb.-ft torque) and a new 6-speed automatic transmission which deliver best-in-class 9,200 pounds maximum towing capacity - 300 pounds more than last year.
* Second-generation independent rear suspension provides improved ride and handling.
* Seating for up to nine passengers in an all-new interior featuring improved comfort, appearance and craftsmanship.
* Front row Captain's Chairs are now standard.
* New second- and third-row seats fold flat and level. Expedition's third row seats offer a full foot more legroom than the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, and the Toyota Sequoia.
* New standard safety features include AdvanceTrac with RSC and Safety Canopy three-row side air curtains. The Expedition is the only full-size SUV to start under $30,000 with standard three-row air curtains.
* The Expedition's frame has been redesigned to further improve vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility in front-impact collisions.

New options for 2007 include 20-inch chrome-clad wheels, a new DVD-based navigation system, SIRIUS satellite radio, and a power liftgate.

Other available equipment includes PowerFold third row seats and a second-row bench with a Centerslide middle seat section.

The Ford Expedition EL

Extensive research - including feedback gleaned from Expedition's 1.4 million-customer owner base - led Ford to design the new, extended length Ford Expedition EL.

With 92 percent of Expedition customers using their vehicle for vacations, 60 percent transporting outdoor sports gear and 84 percent routinely carrying more than three passengers behind the first row, cargo space is highly valued - especially when all three rows of seats are being used.

That led Ford engineers to stretch the Expedition's wheelbase and body a total of almost 15 inches to create an additional 24 cubic feet of storage space behind the third row - 130 percent more than the standard model.

Expedition Prices at a Glance

For 2007, Ford has simplified the Expedition lineup to three trim levels - XLT, Eddie Bauer and Limited - and reduced starting prices an average of $4,300.

The Expedition XLT is the new entry-level model, with a starting price that is $3,485 lower than the previous base model, the Expedition XLS.

All Expedition and Expedition EL models are available with 4x4 capability for an additional $2,900. The all-new Expedition EL is priced $2,650 above the comparably equipped base Expedition series.

FULL PRICING:

Expedition XLT
$29,995

Expedition Eddie Bauer
$36,395

Expedition Limited
$37,845

Related:
Ford Launches 2007 Expedition at Houston Auto Show [internal]

AutoWeek reports that Ford isn't planning to roll over and let GM's upcoming Chevrolet Tahoe and other full-sized SUV hybrids show up its Expedition. The company's reportedly working on higher-mileage versions of its largest SUV, including a hybrid-drive model and a V8 diesel, that'll be ready by early next decade. Still, on that timetable, the hybrid Expy would come in three years after the first such GM vehicle and two years after Chrysler's hybrid Durango (GM, DaimlerChrysler and BMW are partnering on the same two-mode hybrid system). But will Ford just go ahead and buy the system from GM? Such a deal is more than likely, says AW.

An Expedition that Doesn't Guzzle? [AutoWeek]

Related:
Ford Launches 2007 Expedition at Houston Auto Show [internal]

Considering two in ten sales of Ford's Expedition come from Texas — and so not to distract from the company's environmentally friendly message at the Detroit show — Ford chose the Houston auto show to launch its newest large SUV late last week. Gaining much-needed cues from the latest F-Series pickups, the new Expedition gets similar upgrades as its Explorer did last year, including electronic rollover protection and six-speed transmission, plus an EL version that's long enough to compete with the Chevrolet Suburban. Ford's betting the market for truck-like SUVs will be decline slowly, with Texas likely being the last place it'll trail off.

Check out the press release at American Car Fans

Related:
Spy Photos: 2007 Ford Expedition, Only Bigger [internal]

The spies at Automedia, brought to you by American Car Fans, came upon this Ford Expedition super stretch in Dearborn. Why all the cladding? Likely it's a 2007 Ford Expedition, but considering its proximity to Ford's house (and with the Detroit show coming up) we wouldn't be surprised if FoMoCo was introducing the truck as a factory limo offering. Either that, or it's a Ford Edge and the company's gone completely overboard in disguising its test mules.

2007 Stretched Ford Expedition Spy Photos [World Car Fans]

Related:
Chrysler to Offer 300C Limousine; Spy Photos: 2007 Ford Expedition, Only Bigger [internal]

Damn you, leather cladding. Yesterday we posted spy shots of what we thought was one of the new Chevrolet Silverados basking in the Arizona sun, but is rather likely Ford's new super-sized Expedition SUV, formerly known as "Everest." If you remember, Ford's Excursion replacement came under fire recently for turning feral and eating a Focus ZX3. No seriously, it came under fire for being a big SUV in a post-big-SUV world. As if big things can just stop on a dime. Anyway, look again with new eyes.

Related:
Ford Scraps Self-Conscious Everest Name for Supersized Expedition [internal]