Speculation: New Engines for 2012 Expedition / Navigator
As I was zoom-zooming down US-23 this morning I spotted a convoy of Ford Expeditions and a Lincoln Navigator heading north. Seeing convoys out of Dearborn is not an uncommon sight in this neck of the woods, but it has been some time since this pair of vehicles has had any street time. Which got me thinking that Ford might just be readying these family haulers with new engines for the 2012 model year. Ford has four new engine possibilities, two V8s and two V6s, with one carrying the EcoBoost moniker, which could easily be shoe horned into the engine bay of the Expedition / Navigator twins. I submit the following for consideration:
3.7L V6 (305-hp / 280 lb-ft of torque): This venerable little mill is the base engine for the Ford Mustang and carries a 31-mpg highway EPA rating in the automatic transmission equipped coupe. But this engine has also found duty in the Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and MKT, Mazda6 and CX-9, and soon, the F-150. This would make a perfect base model engine for the Expedition as it betters the previous base 4.6L V8 in hp, torque, and very likely economy. Don’t expect 30-mpg, but a healthy 22/23-mpg rating isn’t out of the question.
3.5L V6 EcoBoost (365-hp / 350 lb-ft of torque): Honestly, I think this is the least likely engine to find its way into the lineup. The added complexity of twin turbos and direct injection makes a good Taurus SHO, but maybe not ideal in this application. That said, an EcoBoost Expedition cranking 320 to 340-hp and 350 lb-ft of torque and getting 20-mpg or better would make the Chevrolet Tahoe with the 5.3L V8 quiver in its boots.
5.0L V8 (412-hp / 390 lb-ft of torque): This is another engine that isn’t as likely, but it would make a solid top runner option. Straight out of the Mustang GT this engine features 4-valves per cylinder and TiVCT to make the most of every drop of fuel poured down its gullet. Even in a slightly detuned form (say 400-hp and 385 lb-ft of torque) for Expedition / Navigator duty it would put up a good fight against GM’s larger 6.2L with 403-hp and 417 lb-ft of torque, especially if it bested it by 2 to 3 mpg.
6.2L V8 (411-hp / 434 lb-ft of torque): If we had to put money on the line we would put it down on the 6.2L V8 finding its way into the lineup. With 411-hp on tap in F-150 Raptor form this engine would quickly put the Navigator back on the Escalade’s radar and give the Expedition King Ranch a motor to finally wipe that silly smirk off of the face of the Yukon Denali.
Previous updates have barely kept the Expedition / Navigator relevant in the marketplace, so whatever happens in terms of a new powerplant we’re on board with. A couple of cosmetic changes wouldn’t hurt either (read: ditch the Navigator’s current grille quick!). We’ll keep an eye on things and report back to you when we have more than a day-dreaming editor’s hunch.
Do you think FMC is going to keep sharing platforms/engines between Ford and Lincoln moving forward? Seems like the Navigator is little more than a gussied up Expedition. Ditto MKX and Edge. What’s the point?
Good question Jim. The point of platform sharing is to spread your expenses out as much as possible. By utilizing the same platform for the Expedition and Navigator (a platform that is already heavily based off of the F-150) Ford is able to lighten the load so to speak off of those vehicles. They don’t have to have high price points in order to re-coup costs. The same can be said for the Edge and MKX, or the Fusion, Milan, and MKZ. The problems with the vehicles listed here is Ford went over the top with component sharing to the point where it is hard to differentiate between the vehicles on any other stance than cosmetics. Now let us step back and look at where platform sharing works within Ford. Back in 2005 Ford began selling the Five Hundred (Taurus) and the Mercury Montego (Sable). These two were more or less identical. However, did you know that they were built off of the Volvo S80 platform? But it didn’t stop there. Ford built the Freestyle (Taurus X), the Flex, and the I believe Mazda CX-9 off of that same platform. Further, the new for 2011 Explorer that Ford is poised to unveil on 7/26/10 is also based off of this same platform. Hope that helps!
“problems with the vehicles listed here is Ford went over the top with component sharing to the point where it is hard to differentiate between the vehicles on any other stance than cosmetics.”
I agree with this and take it a step further. Aside from the grill and fancier paint, they don’t seem to differentiate much even cosmetically (on the outside anyway). I’m not in the market for a luxury vehicle, but if I were, I don’t think I’d be thrilled with such a similar car as a “lowly” Ford.
Those are all good examples of platform sharing done right. When you have to read about it to find out, not just look at it!
umm isnt the ecoboost output like 420 foot lbs of torque? and 365 horses
@mason
We know that now, but nobody outside of Ford knew those final numbers when we published this piece last summer. That was simply our best guess at the time. We’re always happy to discover engines will be even more powerful than we predicted.
I would buy a new Expedition tomorrow if they put the Ecoboost motor in it. I have a 06 with the 5.4, but it stuggles to pull my 28 foot travel trailer, and gets bad gas mileage for everyday use. Come on Ford give us the ecoboost in the Expedition
In my opinion the only vehicle that has a good unique Lincoln feel to it (compared to the Ford version) is the MKT (Flex). Where the Flex has a boxy look, the Lincoln is more rounded, giving it a distincive appearance. Unfortunately the interior is much the same as a high-end Flex. If they could just give the Lincoln brand its own exclusive interior features, like the Hyundai Equus’ massage seat, it would start to stand out as a viable luxury brand again.
lincoln so out of touch with its buyers get ride of the alphabet soup cars and crapovers update the town car add options insted of taking them away . it’s all about greed ill never replace my town car!!!!!!!!!!!@!!!!!!
Yes, put the Ecoboost in the Expedition & I’ll give up years of GM…decent mpg when not towing & great towing ability – is that too much to ask!!??
I agree with Dennis. I’m looking to replace my wife’s 2002 Navigator and would love to put her into an Expedition with the Eco-Boost engine. I think this would be a no-brainer decision if that platform is working well in the F-150. She will not get another Navigator due to it’s looks (yes, that ugly grille).