The Ford Expedition first hit sales lots in 1997 and wowed buyers everywhere with its ample interior space and spectacular towing capacity. However, it was not until 2007 that the Ford Expedition EL was released, the extended length version of the already massive SUV. The nine passenger SUV has been one of Ford's bestsellers since its inception; nevertheless, in recent years sales have started to dwindle based primarily on poor fuel economy and increased competition in the market. Even though sales have decreased, law enforcement and some government facilities still use the Ford Expedition in their fleets.
In 1997, Ford released its replacement for the Bronco, the huge Expedition. In the beginning, the Expedition only seated eight passengers and was fitted with either a 4.6L or 5.4L V8. The horsepower topped out at 260. One of the most appealing qualities of the Expedition has always been its towing capacity. From 1997 - 2002, Ford equipped the Expedition to tow up to 8,000-lb, a number that well surpassed any other SUV on the market at the time.
When the 2003 model year hit, the Expedition had a new engine and greater towing capacity. The 5.4L engine got an upgrade with 24-valves, and the 4.6L engine was no longer an option in the Expedition. The new engine also gained around 40 horsepower. The towing capacity jumped to a whopping 8,400-lb. Buyers were impressed more than ever with the changes.
When the Expedition EL was introduced in 2007, other changes overshadowed the new trim. The entire platform for the Expedition was changed to the T1 - a sturdier, versatile platform. Ford also gave the engine another boost with a 5.4L Triton V8. Also in 2007, an environmentally friendly edition was released as well. The hybrid gas/electric version has gotten great praise from critics, but buyers have been put off by the still poor fuel economy.
The EL replaced the Ford Excursion in the maker's lineup and is called the Expedition Max in both Canada and Mexico. The extended length is shown in the added 16 inches. Also, the EL is available in four different trim levels: Eddie Bauer, Limited, King Ranch, and XLT. Most recently, the Ford Expedition EL has been used in many television shows and has been also utilized by many government officials. Overall, the Ford Expedition EL has not been around for long, but Ford is nowhere near letting go of the extended length version of the SUV just because of a couple years of lower than expected sales. Ford plans to release a new Expedition EL in the 2009 model year and has no plans for a lesser production run.
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