Ford unveils new off-road Expedition Timberline, adding that hands-free highway driving

September 22, 2021: -On Wednesday, Ford Motor unveiled a new off-road Timberline model as part of its updates to the 2022 Expedition SUV.

The model features a freshened exterior design, increasing ground clearance, and other off-road features like upgraded tires and a heavy-duty skid plate to protect the vehicle’s undercarriage.

It is the second Timberline model following the Ford introduced trim on the 2021 Explorer SUV with similar features.

With the new Timberline trim, Ford wants to capitalize on increasing sales of SUVs and demand for off-road-capable vehicles. The looks and features of the cars have become more popular with mainstream consumers in recent years.

The Expedition Timberline will be powered by Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine that is producing 440 horsepower and 510 foot-pounds of torque.

“Timberline sets a new standard with full-size SUV customers who need more passenger space, great off-road capability, and a basecamp for life’s journeys,” Mike Kipley, Ford Expedition chief engineer, said in a statement.

In addition to the Timberline trim, Ford introduced a blacked-out “Stealth Edition Performance Package.” Ford will offer its BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system on its top-end Expedition Platinum for 2022.

The BlueCruise system permits hands-free driving on over 130,000 miles of dedicated highways in North America. It controls the vehicle’s speed and steering while monitoring the driver’s attentiveness through an infrared camera system.

Ford’s system is similar to General Motors’ Super Cruise technology and competes against the Autopilot of Tesla.

The 2022 Expedition is assembled at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, and will go on sale in the first quarter of the coming year.

The company did not price for the 2022 Expedition. The vehicle starts at between $50,000 and $75,000.