Test drive Ford Expedition 1996 - 2002 SUV
All kings can
Many cars at different times claimed the title of King of the Road, but, in our opinion, only huge and majestic, personifying power and onslaught, a full -size SUV, according to the American classification, can deserve a light truck. In the style of movement, it resembles a tank: it is also absolutely stable at any speed, and passing cars prefer to stay from it at a significant distance. For all the enormous engine power, such a machine does not seem capable of sharp maneuvers, or rather, any maneuver in its performance gives the impression of leisurely and unhurried. Even when she moves from the place with a slip, it looks like a smooth acceleration from the side - the nobility does not rush to rush and fuss. For a long time we wanted to introduce our readers to an American truck, and now the case introduced himself.
We had two typical representatives of this family at our disposal: Ford F -150 - a pickup and built on its Ford Expedition platform with a classic closed off -road body.
Recall that at the Detroit car dealership, Expedition received the title of 1997 in the category of light trucks, the F-150 was awarded the same rank a year earlier. And the recently emerging luxury navigator is only a version of Expedition performed by the Lincoln branch.
In America, the demand for both modifications is approximately the same. Expedition helps to create a certain image of the owner, and the F-150 is more often purchased for commercial use and is cheaper. Expedition is much greater in Russia, although the pickupian looks no less courageous and spectacular and it is clear to everyone that the firewood is unlikely to be carried on it. In addition, customs duties for trucks are less than for SUVs, and the cost of the car is about $ 55,000, which is 10-12% lower than that of Expections. Both F-150 and Expedition turned out to be all-wheel drive (there are versions only with the rear-wheel drive) and were equipped with 5.4 liters of V8 engines with an automatic transmission and a handout, which turns off the front bridge, and in 4 Wheel Drive mode has one lower gear. ABS and air conditioning are included in the standard equipment, and the leather salon, which is considered to be expedition, is proposed for the F-150 in the Lover-version configuration. Chrome Kanguryniki and fog lights are installed from additional equipment on the machines, and an electric winch and four spotlights on the security arcs are installed on the pickup.
Like everything else, the doors of the machines are impressive sizes, and, despite very high thresholds, the entrance to the salon does not cause much difficulties. A strong wide footboard also helps along the entire body in Expections and only under the cabin of the F-150. The pickup has three doors - two on the right and one on the left. Right - swing, and if full -format for the front passenger opens traditionally, then the second (so -called half), which provides a convenient passage into the rear seat, opens towards the movement, only if you open the main door.
The expedition doors can only be opened separately on the rear window, or for placing long objects, or just for ventilation.
Although the pickup cabin is a little shorter, in both cars, passengers in the back seat are not deprived of the expanse. The three of us can be very conveniently located, if desired, the four of them, having grown a little, and, if necessary, five people will fit, and everyone will be able to breathe at the same time.
The interior of the cars is almost the same, the difference is only in the right front seat: in Expections - this is a separate chair, and in the F -150 - a double sofa. Once in a luxurious salon, trimmed with light skin, from spaciousness and light at first you feel even a little uncomfortable. But you get used to comfort and luxury quickly. The driver’s chair has a wide range of adjustments with an electric drive, and you can fit it under a person of any complexion and growth.
Managing a car is a pleasure. Hands comfortably fall on wide armrests - on the door on the left and on the lid of a roomy box on the right. The steering column is adjustable in height. Moreover, gathering on a long journey along the highway that does not require an active taxiing, the column can be lowered almost to the knees. The steering wheel is covered with soft skin, its cross section is designed for a large palm. A massive steering wheel hub with a built-in airbag and cruise control keys in any position leaves the opportunity to control devices and indicators. And there is something to see. In addition to the speedometer and tachometer, the panel contains four indicators of the engine operation parameters made in the form of ninety -sorted sectors, as well as a linear index of the inclined transmission and a large number of multi -colored bulbs that inform about everything in the world - from unfastened belts and uncleaned doors to worn -out brake pads and clogged fuel filter. However, they do not distract from the control of the machine, because they are lit only if not everything is in order.
To the right of the dashboard, on the central console, there is a built -in radio, under it - control handles of a developed system of heating and air conditioning.
To the left of the climatic block, closer to the driver, is the transfer gearbox mode with three positions. Symmetrically, on the right, - the buttons of disconnecting the passenger airbag - in case you transport the child in the front seat. They started to put such a switch recently.
The large area of \u200b\u200bglazing and external mirrors-lobuha allow you to survey the surroundings by 360, without turning your heads, and from a highly located cabin you generally observe everything from above, which is very convenient, because and considerable dimensions of the machine are well felt, and it becomes easier to navigate in the stream. .
Accelerator and brake pedals are located at a considerable distance from each other. In size, they are small, obviously, the designers provided for the probability of driving in ordinary shoes, and not just in hunting boots or working boots. The gearbox control selector, according to the American tradition, is located on the steering column, moves perpendicular to its axis and ends with a small, neat headlter, which is conveniently laid between the thumb and forefinger. Passes with easy fixation are switched. On the left steering wheel lever, the turn signals, wiper and washer, as well as a switch from a neighbor to a high world, are taken to control.
In general, the salon is similar to a spacious and comfortable office, where there is everything necessary for work and the most favorable conditions for relaxation are created.
Gradually, you begin to understand why Americans love such cars ...
Expedition has a classic setup of the cabin with the possibility of its transformation into double and turning the trunk into a small hangar, in which, it seems, you can place another car, Ford KA, for example. As for the F-150, the truck, although light, is a truck. In the front of the body, two chrome security arches have been installed, which have a rather style than utilitarian purpose, because the roof of the cabin, no doubt, can withstand more than a dozen coups. The floor of the body and the upper edges of the sides are covered with plastic overlays, which are easy to replace with metal or wooden, depending on whether you are going to transport bricks or a couple of rope horses. The rear side is thrown back into a horizontal position and is rigidly fixed in it, increasing the length of the cargo platform by 0.8 m, or is removed at all. We are going to look for a place for testing. The most suitable route in Krylatsky appeared, where 4x4 rolls were held a day earlier. In terms of complexity, the route is quite consistent with our goals, the rains and numerous SUVs made it unsuccessful to advance wheeled equipment, but since the F-150 is equipped with a winch, and the owners of the machines are not averse to testing them in extreme conditions, we boldly dive into a deep rut. She is clearly not for these monsters. Where a smallest car will immediately sit on bridges, Expedition was held with a significant margin, and the place where, according to our photographer, Hummer settled last year, he crawled even without switching to a reduced gear in the gearbox.
F-150 walked the second, on the insurance, so that, if necessary, pull out the first car with a winch. A longer base did not allow him to move in the trail along steep bumps of more than one and a half meters high, and from time to time he had to leave the rut and make his way along the virgin lands, then climbing the slope, then plunging along the door into the swamp. When the wheels were on slippery logs covered with water, the front line led towards a very suspicious quagmire, but a sharp turn of the steering wheel and a jerk of the engine returned the car to a given course.
Having overcome four special routes and bypassing the side only swing from logs, we were very pleased with the power and cross -country ability. The problem arose only once, when at the very end of the Expedition walk, turning from a rut on a steep rise, ended up in loose sand, slipped and literally buried in the front bridge in one second. Then I had to turn on the reduced gear, and the car overcame the hill on the second attempt.
These cars also feel on the asphalt equally confident. At the time of the start with maximum acceleration, you feel like a munhgauzen sitting on the core. Of course, these are not the most dynamic cars, but thanks to a high landing and excellent review, the impression of the flight over the road is created.
The engine works with a very low bass sound, the transmission switches completely imperceptibly, only when using Kick Down the car shoots with a tangible jerk.
The suspension processes small irregularities of the road very well. Neither the F -150 nor a shorter expedition show a tendency to peck with his nose on bumps - undoubtedly, considerable common weight and good weighting affects. Only on long asphalt waves is there a significant on -board pitching. Cars were clearly calculated on American roads. For Russia, it would not hurt to make the suspension more stringent so that there are no attacks of marine disease.
Both machines fit into the turns perfectly, while the body is not so tapping as it could be expected after swinging on bumps. The hydraulic wrap does not cause complaints with excessive softness, as often happens on overseas machines. On the contrary, the steering wheel is quite elastic, requires firm male treatment. At the exit of the bend, the wheels are so actively returning to the position directly that you even have to slightly slow down the steering wheel with your palms.
It was not possible to disrupt the car. With the maximum twisted steering wheel and drowned to the floor, the gas of the wheel screeches on the asphalt, but the car clearly draws the radius due to it.
Brakes in such machines are required to be supernight. They are like that. With all its huge weight, the car slows down intensively, the pedal is very informative and allows you to clearly dose the effort. The case never reached the trigger of ABS. Despite the impressive dimensions, the F-150 and Expedition belong to the category of machines that you do not need to get used to. By controlling them, you can calmly relax, of course, not forgetting that you are on the road and rest. Sitting behind the wheel, you feel at the top, on the throne, the king of the road.
Evgeny Romantovsky
Source: Motor magazine [No. 8/1997]
