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FORD EXCURSION 2000

Ford Motor Company continues its assault on the SUV market with the introduction of the Ford Excursion. This is clearly the new heavy weight of the SUV market. Because of its shear size and popularity potential, it is more than enough to cause a concern with some disgruntled environmental groups. This will probably continue and I do support their cause but the fact of the matter is that most manufactures already have a couple vehicles that are bigger or the same size. The place for protest is on Capitol Hill because the government will have to put pressure on the manufactures to cut emissions and increase safety, as they have done in the past and present. This vehicle has been greatly anticipated by the above and the SUV team at General Motors. This is their territory and with the success of the Expedition and Navigator, they better take a good look. This in the long run will probably be good for General Motors by giving them some needed competition. The Suburban has been in a class by itself since its inception way back in the 1940's.

At first sight of this Goliath type vehicle one cannot wonder who and why will they drive such a large SUV because a bigger rig does have its downsides like fuel costs, maneuverability and truck like performance. The people that need to drive a large vehicle such as this will more than likely have a very strong reason. One of those reasons will be the ability to seat 8 adults comfortably. The Ford Excursion is rated for up to 9 people but you would have to option for the bench seat up front. The front bucket seats are big and comfortable with more of the same in the rear. The accessibility of the third bench seat is easy to get in and out of because both ends of the middle row slide forward making entrance and exit a ease. There is a commanding view from the driver's seat with a good view of all controls that are also easily adjusted. The dash is clean and simple and the interior is laid out well with a good interior and exterior view for all occupants. There are 10-cup holders, 5 12-volt power outlets and several storage compartments. The second row bench seat gets a roof mounted heater/air conditioner and radio controls. The rear bench seat is easily removed and with the middle bench folded up, there is enough cargo room to handle several 4x8 sheets of whatever.

Ford Excursion is offered with three powertrains. The two-wheel drive models will come standard with the 5.4 liter V8. This engine is an iron block with aluminum heads that incorporate a single overhead cam that pushes two valves per cylinder. The output is 255 bhp and 350 lb-ft of torque. The four wheel drive model standard powertrain is a 6.3 liter V10 that is made up of an iron block with aluminum heads each with a single overhead cam and two valves per cylinder. The welcomed output is a respectable 310 bhp and 425 lb-ft of torque. The environmentalist choice is an option fir 2 or 4 wheel drivetrain, is a 7.3-liter diesel that pumps out 235 bhp and a stump pulling 500 lb-ft of torque. Amazingly this torque is generated at only 1600 rpm. The diesel option is tailored to those who need to tow heavy objects.

The ride quality of this Ford was a positive surprise to me. This is because I found the front suspension to be a disappointment. The front axle is solid and it is attached to two leaf springs. The same setup as the rear. Anyone who has driven a solid axle four wheel drive vehicle knows how poorly they handle. The Excursion does ride like a truck, which it is, but Ford somehow softened it up enough to make it comfortable for every day driving. However the main reason the sport utility vehicles have become so popular is because they do not ride like a truck or four wheel drive vehicle. This was accomplished by using a front wheel drive set up similar to that of a car with half shafts that allow for an independent suspension which makes all the difference in the world. Because of this I favor the GM Suburban because it has half shafts with independent front suspension, it is also faster and costs less. But if a Suburban is not big enough for you then at least you have one more choice.

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