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2018 Ford Expedition spied looking stylish

The Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator got a cool reception for their 2015 warmed-over redesign. But with big, high-riding vehicles once again in vogue, Ford is pushing ahead with a ground-up redesign of its biggest SUVs. Based on these spy shots, the Expedition will continue to serve as the Navigator's more affordable twin. Yes, that's a bold prediction, considering we still haven't spotted Lincoln testing the new Navigator, but study the greenhouses on this Expedition prototype and the Navigator Concept from New York – from the arrow-straight belt line to the extra-long rear window to the aggressively raked windshield, this Expedition's overall profile is broadly similar to what Lincoln previewed earlier this year. While our spies claim the new Expedition will look to the F-150 for design inspiration, we see a departure from past Expedition tradition. Unlike the supposed Expedition spy shots we showed you nearly a year ago – which was nothing more than an SUV with an F-150's nose grafted on, this prototype's front-end styling looks softer and more aerodynamic, with a smaller grille and headlights, almost like an Escape or Edge. This kind of change would explain the additional front-end camouflage. In back, our spies rightly point out that Ford fitted a faux rear end to disguise the rear window's rake – expect the real thing to feature the angled rear window previewed on the Navigator Concept. Look at the last image in the gallery for a better idea of how the Expedition's rear window will actually look. We can't say a lot about the taillights, because of the camo, but non-LED taillights are present. We'd expect Ford to offer LEDs on higher trim levels. While the F-150's styling might not make the transition to the Expedition, its powertrains and emphasis on lightweight aluminum will. Our spies report the biggest SUV will ride on a new T3 platform and feature an aluminum body, with the F-150's 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. Expect a ten-speed automatic transmission and start/stop tech for sure, while the smaller 2.7-liter, twin-turbo V6 could slot in as the Expedition's base engine – we're less sure on that one. And we're even more uncertain of the rumors of an Expedition Hybrid. Our spies report it could mate a 3.5-liter V6 with an electric motor(s) and battery packs for a more economical full-size SUV. Expect to see the 2018 Expedition debut in January, at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show.

Ford tries to get a better handle on what EV drivers want

Ford says more than nine out of 10 electric-vehicle drivers indicate that their current EV won't be their last. Which is a good thing. Given the Blue Oval's most recent green-car sales, that next EV purchase couldn't come soon enough. The automaker took a poll of 10,000 electric-vehicle owners in the US and found that, among other things, more than 80 percent either already have or are considering installing solar panels to enable off-the-grid vehicle charging from home. Less surprising, these drivers use their smartphones to do things like check the car's battery charge and remotely turn on or off their cars' air-conditioning or heating systems before setting off on a drive. Of course, these folks want a little bit more from their smartphone apps. Most handy would be a public charging station locator as well as the ability to reserve and pay for electric charging sessions in advance. And more fast-charging stations appear to be in store, as almost half of the battery-electric vehicle drivers use conventional 110-volt outlets to charge their vehicles at home. Ford is hoping that these repeat-driver indicators bode for good things in the future. Last month, the automaker sold almost 5,800 hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric vehicles in the US. That was down 27 percent from a year earlier. Notably, Ford Focus Electric sales dropped 32 percent from a year earlier to just 135 units, and have fallen 16 percent for the year. It's not just Ford that's facing difficulties. US plug-in vehicle sales overall dropped 22 percent from a year earlier to about 8,600 units. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2012 Ford Focus Electric: Quick Spin View 18 Photos News Source: FordImage Credit: Copyright 2015 Sebastian Blanco / AOL Green Ford Green Culture Smartphone Electric PHEV app

Saleen previews new 302 Mustang

The introduction of a new generation of a model like the Ford Mustang may be exciting enough in its own right for enthusiasts, but that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, because you know that Ford itself as well as numerous aftermarket tuners will soon follow up with even more desirable versions. And few Mustang tuners carry quite the same clout of Saleen.
Recently reunited after its previous split, Saleen is back on the map and hard at work on new aftermarket modifications for a wide array of muscle cars. We knew it would only be a matter of time before it would release a new 302 Mustang, and now it's sent out the first image to show us what to expect.
Details are scarce, but House that Steve Built says the 2015 Saleen 302 Mustang "is perfectly positioned as the next American exotic." And it should know, considering that it's the same outfit that produced the Saleen S7 that really was a true American exotic. From the teaser image above we can see that Saleen has given its Mustang a new front air dam, a very wide air scoop on the hood and of course Saleen's trademark slat grille.