DRIVING FORCE

摘要

I'd seen pictures of the Ford Expedition. It seemed to have the shape and proportion of a typical 4x4, nothing out of the ordinary. What I was unprepared for was its sheer bulk.It's about twice the size of a Ford Explorer, and even makes a Range Rover appear small. But despite its appearance it is two-wheel drive and corners like a barge. For some reason, though, Americans love these things, and their closely related pick-up truck variants. Ford, GM and Chrysler sell about seven million annually, accounting for about half the total US vehicle market. They're gas guzzlers: the Expedition comes with a 5.4-litre V8 engine, and some models go up to seven litres―which is a clue to why transmission developer Torotrak has chosen them as its target market.