2008 Ford E-Series
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2008 E-SERIES: BOLDEST, MOST CAPABLE FORD COMMERCIAL VAN EVER
All-new, F-Series Super Duty-inspired front-end design makes a bold statement while improving engine capability with increased airflow.
Revised steering system and front and rear suspensions improve driving dynamics, braking performance to help drivers navigate urban streets.
Improvements also increase load carrying capability, including class-leading gross vehicle weight rating of 14,500 pounds.
Passenger wagons feature all-new seats for commercial customers who take on the most grueling city driving conditions.
All-new, segment-exclusive E-Guard Cargo Protection System™ is a double-lock design that adds cargo security straight from the factory.
Ford-exclusive, AdvanceTrac® with RSC is standard on E-350 passenger wagons with the 5.4-liter V-8. Exclusive engine-only traction control system is now available on all other models.
The new 2008 E-Series commercial van – America's best selling cargo vans, cutaways and passenger wagons – gets a major makeover inspired by the new F-Series Super Duty's bold new front-end design to communicate a list of chassis and suspension upgrades that increase capability and improve ride and handling. Safety and security is also improved with the addition of available traction control and features such as the advanced E-Guard Cargo Protection System™, a segment exclusive, for added door-lock security.
Ford trucks are the trucks that America takes to work. In 2006, Ford posted a 40 percent share of the total commercial vehicle market for class 2 to class 7 trucks, up 1 whole percentage point from 2005. That means that nearly half of all of the commercial and fleet vehicles sold, from F-150 pickups to F-750 chassis cabs, wear the blue Ford oval.
'Ford is the undisputed commercial vehicle leader and growing,' says Joe Castelli, director, Ford commercial truck marketing. 'We own 40 percent of the commercial vehicle market and nearly 500,000 new commercial vehicles on the way this year alone.'
Ford's E-Series line-up has topped its segment's sales charts for 28 straight years, accounting for more than half of all commercial vans and passenger wagons sold in 2006. The commercial van, wagon and cutaway market is strong, accounting for more than 350,000 total vehicle sales just last year. Ford E-Series commands a total market share of 49.5 percent while boasting a 62.8 percent share of the cutaway segment.
'The new 2008 E-Series is the boldest, most capable commercial van ever, building on 28 straight years as America's service vehicle of choice,' says Castelli.
E-Series vehicles are on the job every day, delivering packages and people, hauling construction supplies to the job site and among many other duties. The E-Series has earned its reputation as the backbone of America's work force by consistently meeting customer needs, delivering capability, flexibility and dependability in an affordable vehicle.
'The E-Series lives up to the 'Built Ford Tough' name,' said Cristi Brown, E-Series marketing manager. 'My customers consider their E-Series vans to be their largest 'toolbox.' It's what they work out of. It's an integral part of their business and directly affects how they make a living. They push their trucks to the limit on a daily basis. The improvements we've made for 2008 are in direct response to their ever-growing needs.'
Purposeful, functional design improves capability
The 2008 E-Series now looks just as tough as it is. The new design, inspired by the 2008 Super Duty, features all new sheet metal from the A-pillars forward including hood, fenders, radiator support, grille and bumpers.
'We enlarged the front end of the E-series with a bigger, bolder grille to showcase its strength and reliability,' says Pat Schiavone, Ford truck design director. 'We wanted to carry the distinct 'Built Ford Tough' look that our truck and sport utility vehicles resemble into these capable vans.'
The larger grille isn't just a part of that bold statement, it also improves capability by increasing airflow to the powertrain. The grille sits on a sharp, horizontal line that defines the upper portion of the bumper and provides a base for the unique stacked, dual-beam headlamps. Base models come with a sharp, contrasting black bumper, grille and headlamp surrounds, while the high series feature an all-chrome treatment.
'For larger fleets the capability is the most important consideration,' says Brown. 'But for the smaller guys, their trucks are like rolling billboards. They advertise the business so it's very important for them to make a good impression when they pull onto the job site or into the driveway.'
Up fitters, those who convert E-Series cutaways into motor homes, box vans, and a variety of other hard working vehicles, will be pleased to know the change in the 2008 E-Series attitude hasn't affected the vehicle's critical dimensions.
'Interestingly, one important thing that many of our customers want to hear about is what's not changing,' said Rob Stevens, E-Series chief engineer. 'The up fitters make up an important segment of our business and have designed their tooling to fit the dimensions of our vehicles. If we change our door openings, all of their tooling becomes outdated. To that point, door structures and floor structure measurements are carryover and seat attachments are in the exact same location.'
All new brakes and suspension improvements add confidence and capability
The 2008 E-Series line-up rides on an improved chassis. A series of upgrades to the braking, suspension and steering systems have resulted in improvements in ride and handling, braking performance and load carrying capability.
A re-engineered front suspension utilizes an all-new geometry and larger sway bars to provide a better stance and firmly plant the front end to the road. New valve technology on the rear shock absorbers further enhances the E-Series ride and handling while upgrades to the steering system provide a better on center feel and reduced steering efforts, adding to the feeling of confidence.
An all-new braking system features larger front and rear rotors and calipers. A great swept area and new brake lining material help lower brake operating temperatures adding to pad and lining life and reducing maintenance costs.
The chassis and suspension improvements have also resulted in an increase in the maximum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) from 14,050 pounds to a class-leading 14,500 pounds. Additionally, the maximum front gross axle weight rating (GAWR) is increased by about 10 percent, from 4,600 pounds to a class-leading 5,000 pounds.
'Customers are always looking for more capability,' said Stevens. 'They're asking for the increased capability and we're delivering it to them. That's why we bumped up the gross vehicle weight rating available as an option on the E-350 from 11,500 pounds to 12,500 pounds, to give our customers more capability at the lower end of the segment. We made the E-350 more capable so our customers won't have to jump into an E-450 to get the increased capability.'
Ford is also answering customer demand by adding an additional E-350 SRW Cutaway model with an optional mid-ship fuel tank to allow for more usable rear GVWR. The E-450 now offers an optional 37-gallon fuel tank along with the standard 55-gallon tank.
'We are always looking for the opportunity to increase capability, durability and versatility in the E-Series lineup,' said Brown. 'That's why we offer new models to continue to meet customer's needs.'
source - ford