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Ford Motor Co. must believe bigger is better for ’97.

The automaker will offer a sports-utility vehicle called the 1997 Ford Expedition, which features 119 inches of wheelbase and 204.6 inches of overall length.

That’s the equivalent of some good-sized trucks, a natural evolution, since the Expedition is based on the 1997 Ford F-150 pickup truck.

By being bigger than most of today’s compact sport-utility vehicles, the Expedition inherits some design advantages associated with size.

The longer wheelbase and body allows for three rows of seating that will accommodate the driver and eight other passengers. The full-sized vehicle has four doors for easier access to the optional third-row rear seat. And its cargo-payload capacity with the third-row seat removed is up to 2,000 pounds.

The Expedition has been designed to provide a superior ride, responsive handling, and more room and towing ability than a compact sport- utility vehicle can deliver. And with similarities to the F-150 pickup, the Expedition is as tough as a bear and umpteen times stronger.

The new vehicle is available in both rear-wheel (4×2) and four-wheel (4×4) drive and in XLT, or more upscale Eddie Bauer model trim.

“I haven’t had anyone ask for a 4×2 as yet,” said Bud Callahan, vice president of Chuck Callahan Ford. “It’s my understanding that Ford is planning on 70 percent of its production being 4x4s.”

The Bauer model with its trim package is the most expensive Expedition. The base is $33,875, which includes an overhead console and instrument panel, plus numerous convenience features, such as storage compartments and courtesy lamps. The 4×2 price is $31,240.

In XLT form, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $29,870 for a 4×4 and $27,270 for the 4×2.

The Expedition’s dynamic design combines excellent interior ergonomics with luxury features. Major interior features include soft-touch door panels and a wraparound instrument panel with large knobs and buttons.

An interesting external feature is illuminated running boards designed to give vehicle occupants a surer step at night.

The Expedition also has the heart of a lion in the form of two V-8s that are real stump pullers.

These engines are Ford Triton V-8s, high-tech single overhead cam motors of 4.6-liter (281-cubic inch) and 5.4-liter (330-cubic inch) displacement. The 4.6 is a beefed-up version of the V-8 in the Lincoln Town Car. The 5.4 has the same cylinder bore as the 4.6, but a longer stroke to increase piston displacement and thereby enhance engine torque and towing ability.

This 330-cubic inch V-8 engine puts out 325 foot-pounds of torque, and that translates into 8,000 pounds of towing capacity. That’s four tons and a load by anyone’s standards. The 4.6 provides 290 foot-pounds of torque and a quite respectable towing capacity of 6,000 pounds.

Both motors are designed with deep skirt blocks and a fuel-injected induction system tuned to provide maximum low-end torque without sacrificing horsepower at higher engine speeds. Power for the 4.6 is 215-horsepower; for the 5.4, it’s 230-horsepower.

There is no manual transmission available for the Expedition. The transmissions are four-speed automatics, with an individual transmission series geared to an individual engine.

For the 5.4-liter V- 8, there is Ford’s E40D series that has a slightly lower four-gear ratio than the 4R70W series four-speed used with the 4.6-liter V-8.

Fuel consumption is surprisingly close between the 4.6-liter motor and the larger 5.4, and between two-wheel and four-wheel drive models.

With the smaller V-8, the Expedition gets 14 miles per gallon in city driving — exactly the same for either drive system. On the highway, its 18 mpg with all four wheels compares well to 20 mpg for just two-wheel drive.

With the 5.4 engine, 4×2 and 4×4 mileage in the city is 13 mpg, versus 17 mpg for a 4×4 an d 18 mpg for the 4×2 model on the highway.