Ford Excursion

Infobox Automobile


name = Ford Excursion
manufacturer = Ford Motor Company
class = Full-size sport utility vehicle
production = 2000–2006
successor = Ford Expedition EL/Max
assembly = Louisville, Kentucky, USA
engine = 7.3 L "Powerstroke" V8
5.4 L "Triton" V8
6.8 L "Triton" V10
6.0 L "PowerStroke" V8
related = Ford F-250/350 Super Duty
height = 2000-01 & 2005 4WD: auto in|80.2|0
2WD: auto in|77.2|0
2002-04 4WD: auto in|80.4|0
weight = convert|7190|lb|kg|abbr=on|lk=on
width = 2000-01: auto in|80.0|0
2002-05: auto in|79.9|0
length = auto in|226.7|0
layout = Front engine, rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive
transmission = 4-speed automatic
5-speed automatic
wheelbase = auto in|137.1|0

The Ford Excursion is a full-size sport utility vehicle that was produced by the Ford Motor Company between model years 2000 and 2005 (2006 in Mexico). It was the largest SUV in the lineup while it was produced. Based on the Super Duty pickup truck platform, it offered large V8 (gasoline and diesel) and V10 (gasoline) engines, and seating for up to 9 passengers. Along with the Hummer H2, it is a popular SUV for conversion into a limousine. It was designed to slot above the Ford Expedition as the flagship in the company's SUV lineup. The Excursion was designed to be classified as a heavy-duty vehicle, as for commercial or rural use, with a gross vehicle weight rating of over 8500 pounds, which exempted the vehicle from CAFE fuel economy regulations and quoting EPA fuel economy estimates [ [http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/2000/lweitzman_ford_excursion_2000.html Excursion article at TheAutoChannel.com] ] . Its position in the Ford SUV lineup was replaced in 2007 by an extended-length version of the Expedition. The last Excursion was produced on September 30, 2005, at Ford's Louisville plant, although the last Excursions were sold as 2006 models for the Mexican market. Production was canceled to focus on Super Duty trucks.

Overview

Introduced in 1999 as a 2000 model year, the Excursion was immediately criticized for being too large to fit in most home garages and its poor fuel economy (around 12-14 mpg highway, 8 mpg city, and 10-11 mpg combined highway and city) relative to the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL, its chief competitors [ [http://www.theautochannel.com/vehicles/new/reviews/2000/lweitzman_ford_excursion_2000.html 2000 Excursion review at TheAutoChannel.com] ] . Shortly before launch, the Sierra Club awarded the Excursion an "Exxon Valdez" award for this reason, in reference to the ill-fated oil tanker. Sales were initially good, but slowed as gasoline prices rose. In 2003, the 7.3 L Powerstroke diesel was replaced with a more powerful, 6.0 L Powerstroke diesel, giving 0 to 60mph times of under 10 seconds with reduced noise levels. Industry insiders expected Ford to stop producing the Excursion, but sales continued through the 2005 model year, for which it received a minor facelift, and production of the Excursion ended in September 2005. ), has replaced the Excursion in the company's lineup for the 2007 model year.

A 4-speed automatic transmission was standard, a 5-speed automatic introduced in 2003, which also saw the availability of an upmarket Eddie Bauer trim line. The grille was updated for 2005. The 5.4L Modular V8 puts out Convert|255|hp|kW|0|abbr=on & auto ftlbf|350. The 6.8L Modular V10 puts out Convert|310|hp|kW|0|abbr=on & auto ftlbf|425. The 6.0L Powerstroke Diesel puts out Convert|325|hp|kW|0|abbr=on & auto ftlbf|560.

The truck uses code "U4" in the 5th and 6th positions of the VIN.

Engines included the following:
* 5.4 L V8, 255 hp (2000-2005)
* 6.8 L V10, 310 hp (2000-2005)
* 7.3 L Diesel V8, 250 hp (2000-2003)
* 6.0 L Diesel V8, 325 hp (2003-2005)

The Excursion included a unique feature called the "BlockerBeam", which was an under-bumper rollbar-like device that helped stop smaller vehicles from sliding under an Excursion during collisions. The BlockerBeam concept is now widely used in the industry.

In popular culture

*A Mystery Machine limousine of this Excursion was used in the 2004 movie "".
*"Car Talk" did a humorous [http://www.cartalk.com/content/features/Ford-Excursion/ translation] of Ford's Excursion press release.
* The Excursion is often mentioned in Rap lyrics, one of the most popular being by Krazie Bone in Chamillionaire's hit song Ridin', and also an entire song about the vehicle called "Candy Coated Excursion" by E.S.G. (Featuring Slim Thug).
* Avon Barksdale, a character from HBO series "The Wire" drives a Ford Excursion in the ninth episode of the first season.

References

External links

* [http://www.analogstereo.com/ford_excursion_owners_manual.htm Links to PDFs of the owner's guides/manuals for each year's edition]