Tough, Functional Exterior Excursion
* Commanding road presence
* Aerodynamic headlamps and flush-fit glass
* Step-down belt line for enhanced outward visibility
Comfortable Interior
* Extensive convenience features
* Up to five power points and 10 cup holders
* Optimized audio systems
Customers in the heavy-duty utility segment say they want
a vehicle capable of "doing it all" with everyone and
everything. Most important is the ability to transport
more than six adults and their luggage.
Excursion was designed with such customer needs in mind.
It is intended for consumers with an active lifestyle
oriented around the outdoors and for businesses that
demand the versatility Excursion provides.
The typical Excursion family will use the vehicle during
the week to transport family members and on the weekend
to take them and their equipment to activities such, as
fishing, water sports, winter sports and camping.
Commanding Exterior
Excursion combines a commanding road presence and modern
aerodynamic elements that extend the "Built Ford Tough"
image. Designers aimed for a vehicle configuration that
would maximize passenger and cargo capacity while
maintaining a size that is manageable for a garage and
on-the-road maneuverability.
Sharing front-end sheet metal with the Super Duty
F-Series pickup trucks that Ford introduced for the 1999
model year, Excursion features a pronounced "power dome"
hood, all-steel chromed bumpers, built-in tow hooks and
aerodynamic flush-mounted halogen headlamps.
The windshield is set at a 53-degree angle to improve
aerodynamics and bolster fuel economy.
Side doors are designed with recessed, narrow rocker
extensions that help maximize a useful step area depth on
the standard running boards. Illuminated running boards
that assist safe ingress/egress at night are optional on
the XLT and standard on the Limited series.
Protective color-keyed body-side moldings are standard on
the XLT. The Limited series features Arizona Beige
body-side cladding that attaches at the rocker panel and
wheel-lip moldings.
Outward visibility from the driverís seat - especially
when towing - is enhanced by Excursionís distinctive
"step-down" belt line, which lowers the forward edge of
the front-door side windows. Flush glass and door edge
seals help reduce wind noise and improve fuel economy.
Standard power outside rearview mirrors are heated and
well-proportioned for the size of Excursion. Optional
heated, power trailer tow mirrors offer three times the
viewing area of the standard exterior mirrors and include
an auxiliary convex mirror.
Well-Equipped Interior
For personal use, Excursion is primarily a people mover,
and its well-appointed interior reflects that goal. At
the same time, Ford designers recognized the vehicleís
cargo capacity should be as flexible as possible.
Excursion is designed to combine the best of both worlds.
Seating choices are simple and elegant. All models have a
60-40 split bench seat in the second row and removable
full bench seat in the third row. The second-row seat
backs can fold forward separately or together to increase
cargo capacity. XLT buyers can choose a front-row bench
or dual captainís chairs and select between cloth and
leather seating surfaces.
Excursion Limited is equipped with front-row dual
captainís chairs and leather seating surfaces. Limited
also offers optional heated front-row seats.
Even the headliner provides maximum customer convenience
features, including:
* Three grab handles and three ride handles - inside
the front-seat passenger door opening and above both
second-row door openings.
* Five ventilation registers - three for the second
row and two for the third row - each with 360-degree
adjustment.
* Four coat hooks.
* Separate pairs of reading lamps for second- and
third-row seating.
* Cargo area overhead lamp.
* Color-keyed cloth driver and passenger visors with
lighted flip-up vanity mirrors and cloth-covered
secondary sun blade.
A floor console between the front-row captainís chairs
features dual cup holders for front-seat passengers and
two more cup holders for occupants in the second row. The
console also has a forward-mounted clip for holding a
notepad and a rear-mounted pen and pencil tray.
A large storage bin with lid contains a removable
cassette/CD storage tray and coin holder, and can
accommodate an optional six-CD changer. The rear of the
floor console gives second-row passengers their own power
point, separate audio controls for volume, memory and
mode, plus dual headphone jacks.
Two more consoles are mounted overhead. The front unit
holds auxiliary air- conditioning controls for the
second- and third-row passenger area, as well as two
map/courtesy lamps, a garage door opener holder and a
storage compartment for sunglasses.
A trip computer - optional on XLT and standard on Limited
- can calculate distance to empty, average fuel economy,
compass reading and outside temperature.
A mini rear console houses duplicate fan, temperature and
panel/floor controls for the auxiliary air-conditioning
system.
Heating and cooling air is delivered quickly throughout
the cabin by multiple vents, including six in the
instrument panel (two for side window demisting) and five
in the headliner (three for the second row and two for
the third row). A separate duct system delivers warm air
to the floor of the second row when needed for fast cabin
warm-up.
At least four power points are provided throughout the
cabin for auxiliary equipment. All models have two power
points in the dash, one in the left side quarter panel
trim for third-row passengers and one in the right side
of the cargo area. A fifth power point for second-row
passengers is standard on the rear of the floor console
of models equipped with first-row captainís chairs.
The audio system features an AM/FM stereo/cassette/single
CD and dual media capability. It produces an impressive
80 watts of power through six premium speakers located in
the front doors, second-row doors and rear quarter trim
areas. A six-CD changer is optional.
NEED MORE INFORMATION ?
WWW.BlueOvalNews.COM
Dearborn, Michigan