The Ford Expedition, the only full-sized, truck-based, body-on-frame SUV left in Ford's lineup, is getting a refresh for it's 2015 model year. Arriving at dealerships in September, this big SUV is getting a new look, a bunch of new technology and a new engine. Crossovers and small SUVs are super hot right now, but this big SUV still has fans, in places where big trucks are still appreciated, like in Texas and in Saudi Arabia. More than one in five Ford Expeditions sold in the U.S. are in Texas. About 85 percent of those sold outside of the U.S. are to customers in Saudi Arabia. The Ford Expedition attracts customers who need capability from their SUV. The ability to spend a lot of money on fuel doesn't hurt either. The Expedition targets "more affluent customers who won’t compromise -- they want space performance, comfort and capability all in one impressive package," said Keith Wilson, the vehicle’s marketing manager, in an announcement.

It is increasingly odd to encounter this type of vehicle on the road these days while gasoline prices are flirting with $1.50 per litre, but Ford put a lot of energy into this big truck to make it both more economical and luxurious. Ford recently revealed photos of the new 2015 expedition, but if you're like us, you're probably disappointed that Ford did not do much when it came to the exterior of the F-150. So little, that you might not even notice that it's a new model. The 2015 Expedition, on sale later this year, now hides under it's hood Ford's very popular 3.5-litre EcoBoost engine. This engine, with it's direct injection and twin turbochargers, is more powerful and efficient than the 5.4-litre V8 it replaces, while at the same time being more fuel efficient. It also provides more torque at low revs.

Ford has confirmed the power figures for the Bronco Raptor, rating the output of its powertrain at 418 hp and 415 lb-f of torque. That's impressively high, but so are the model's fuel consumption numbers. Not that that will put buyers off much, if at all.

While the potential is clearly huge for the all-electric 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning, so are the risks. Ford’s challenge will be convince pickup-truck buyers to switch to electric. Here's our first drive.