Photo of 2015 Expedition Platinum courtesy of Ford.

Photo of 2015 Expedition Platinum courtesy of Ford.

Ford's 2015 Expedition with new 3.5L EcoBoost V-6 engine is now available after the automaker unveiled it to automotive journalists in West Virginia this week.

The large SUV has found its way into work truck fleets and government fleets in recent years. Fleet sales now make up 20 percent of Expedition sales, the automaker said.

With the move, Ford shifted away from the 5.4L V-8 offered in the 2014 model. This new EcoBoost is also being offered with the 2015 Lincoln Navigator luxury large SUV.

Ford expects a 15 percent improvement in fuel economy from the 2014 Expedition that was rated at 13 mpg city and 18 mpg highway, according to Mark Schirmer, Ford SUV and crossovers communications manager.

The 2015 Expedition also adds electric power steering and a suspension feature called "continuously controlled dampening" that allows drivers to select between Sport, Normal, and Comfort modes.

The refreshed model is available in five trim levels, including the fleet model XL, XLT, Limited, King Ranch, and Platinum that's new for 2015. Ford offers the standard wheelbase (119 inches) and long-wheelbase model (131 inches). Prices range from $40,000 for the XL to $63,400 for the Platinum.

Commercial and government users include real estate professionals, smaller contractors, Border Patrol agents, fire response vehicles, and tactical police units.

In 2013, Ford sold about 40,000 Expedition SUVs with about 20 percent of those going into commercial and government fleets. Ford offers an SSV police package that deletes the third-row seating and center console, and includes 17-inch wheels and vinyl flooring.

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