Cars & Autos | Thursday 12 March, 2015 7:30 am |

Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Co. (AJVA), the Ford and Lincoln dealer in Saudi Arabia, today launched the new 2015 Ford Expedition featuring a refreshed new look, a twin-turbocharged 365HP 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6 engine, and a quieter cabin with more power, torque and technology than the previous-generation vehicles. The new 2015 model, the most powerful Expedition ever, is also is the latest Ford nameplate to offer a high end Platinum series with unique, refined interior appointments.

“For our customers in the market for a full-size SUV, the new 2015 Expedition delivers unparalleled space, performance, comfort and capability,” said Sabah Al Kraidees, AJVA’s Sales & Marketing director. “Ford made no compromises on the new Expedition, and from the entry-level XL through to the luxurious Platinum edition, the new Expedition offers a refinement that confidently rivals other vehicles in its class. The new 2015 Expedition provides a level of quality engineering and advanced technologies that is absolutely demanded by our customers.”

Expedition, which debuted in 1996, is Ford’s largest utility vehicle, comfortably seating eight adults. The standard 2015 Expedition, one of two versions available, has three rows of seats and up to 108.3 cubic feet of cargo space. It sits on a 119-inch wheelbase, making it a little more than 6 inches longer than Ford Explorer. A longer-wheelbase version – 131 inches – has three rows of seats and best-in-class maximum cargo space of 130.8 cubic feet.

Expedition will continue to feature an independent rear suspension to deliver a more confident ride and great handling characteristics. The suspension also allows a more convenient fold-flat third-row bench seat and low load-floor height.

The new Expedition features the latest technologies, including available SYNC® with MyFord
Touch®, passive entry with push-button start and Blind Spot Information System® with cross traffic alert. The new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, using direct injection and twin turbochargers, provides more power, efficiency and performance than the 5.4-liter V8 in the previous model. For 2015, in response to customer demand, Ford also introduces a top-of-the-line Platinum series Expedition with unique, refined interior appointments.

EcoBoost® Technology At the Heart of the Most Powerful Expedition Ever
Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine dramatically changes the driving characteristics of Expedition. Compared with the previous 5.4-liter V8, this engine gives drivers more power and torque on demand at very low engine speeds, adding to its efficiency.

“The EcoBoost engine will bring increased torque and horsepower that will excite our customers,” said David Cantrell, Ford assistant chief program engineer for Expedition. “Thanks to improved efficiencies and an independent rear suspension, the 2015 Expedition is not only more fun to drive, it’s also easier to own.”

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 will be the only engine offered in Expedition. To maximize performance and control, the vehicle will be equipped with a six-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission featuring a manual mode that allows the driver to use a shift-mounted rocker switch to select the desired gear.

With the new powerplant, Expedition is among the full-size SUV leaders for capability, generating 365 horsepower and 569.4 Nm (420 lbs.-ft) of torque. Add best-in-class maximum cargo space for the extended-length version and available best-in-class towing of up to 9,200 pounds when properly equipped, and customers will find a truly useful utility vehicle.

Improved on the Road
With the launch of the 2015 model, Expedition also becomes the first Ford nameplate to offer a continuously controlled damping suspension that allows drivers to select from three drive modes – comfort, normal and sport.

A suite of sensors detects 46 unique body, steering and braking inputs. By monitoring Expedition body motion, the system can automatically adjust damping in milliseconds. Continuously controlled damping technology analyzes the weight of the vehicle, steering feedback and road undulations and reacts accordingly to help control wheel and body motions so passengers experience an orderly, comfortable ride. A vehicle with poor damping feels as if it’s bouncing on the suspension springs.

The new Expedition also features Ford’s innovative electric power-assisted steering, which gives drivers improved maneuverability at low speeds and better feel at high speeds, and helps save fuel by operating more efficiently than traditional pump-driven systems. The technology, which has been tuned specifically for the new model, reduces steering effort and makes Expedition more engaging to drive.

Quiet driving experience
With the vehicle’s capability and cargo space comes a cabin customers will find to be even quieter than the previous Expedition. A host of changes helps minimize noise. These include improved seals on the body that reduce air leaks by 20 percent.

New sound dampening material in the cabin pillars improves quietness. The material is also packed into the center console to further reduce unwanted road and engine noise.

More sound deadening material has been added to the headliner and door trim panels, while the cabin features new carpeting that is able to better absorb sounds. New sound insulation used in the wheel wells also helps create a quieter experience.

Finally, acoustic glass – which debuted on Expedition in 2007 – is used for the windshield across all trim levels to reduce undesirable interior noise. Limited, King Ranch and Platinum trim levels include acoustic glass for driver and passenger side windows.

More technology customers want
The new Expedition debuts with popular technology upgrades consumers are now demanding, including available SYNC with MyFord Touch and driver-assist features such as radar-based Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert.

The updated interior of Expedition incorporates a fresh center stack to accommodate new technologies, including an available 8-inch touch screen for SYNC with MyFord Touch that features driver information in the gauge cluster shown on two full-color 4.2-inch screens.
Other available new technologies on the 2015 Expedition include a Sony® Audio System; passive entry with push-button start; rear view camera; front and rear parking sensors; seven-color, ambient interior LED lighting; and Ford truck apps to help make trailer towing and off-road driving easier.

Fresh style and design
The new Expedition takes full-size utility vehicle design to a higher level with a diverse lineup of vehicles, each featuring a distinct look and feel to give customers more choices. A Platinum trim series popular with F-Series truck buyers is available on the 2015 Expedition for the first time.

With tailored, lush leather that’s soft and smooth to the touch, the Platinum series offers customers a choice: Brunello leather-appointed seats in a new red wine color with tuxedo-stripe accents and French-seamed stitching, or Ebony leather-appointed seats with Agate Gray accents.

The 2015 Expedition lineup includes the basic XL, mid-range XLT, Limited, King Ranch® and high end Platinum series. The design team incorporated specific themes to define the look for each series and reflect a different consumer lifestyle. This thoughtful planning means customers can select from the basic XL, sporty XLT, the confident, elegant Limited; the sophisticated, urban Platinum; or the rural, rugged King Ranch®. Each series has unique finishes specially selected to reflect the lifestyle and desires of the customer. For example, Expedition Limited features refined yet traditional finishes, while Platinum colors and material finishes are fresh and sophisticated.

The Expedition exterior has been updated for 2015 with a front end design that features available halogen projector headlamps and LED fog lamps for a fresh, aggressive look. Other exterior changes include an all-new wheel lineup topped by optional, factory-installed 22- inch polished aluminum wheels for Limited, King Ranch and Platinum; a revised rear hatch; and subtle, chrome-tipped exhaust.