OK. No one volunteered even a guess so I pulled the cover off without guidance. The cover pulls straight away from the windshield and has 3 plastic clips that hold it in place. The clips make a horrible screeching noise as they release but all went well. Just in case anyone wants to know.  Dave.

Probably more than killing the hemi.  Price is king when it comes to volume.

From what I could dig up, other CARB States are implementing Advanced Clean Cars II in 2027...but even the CARB website is really light on information of what exactly Advanced Clean Cars II is outside of moving to 100% of ZEVs and more stringent emissions standards.    But like you said, I think this is just a cost savings thing not to get it certified, because you'd think you'd be hearing more about this from the industry if it was really a big issue with current powertrains. 

It was originally planned to end in 2025. I guess Ford just didn't have time to get 2026 CARB certification done (or choose not to because expected short model year). Otherwise identical (from emission standpoint) Maverick and Bronco Sport are still for sale in CARB states so that tells you all you need to know.

Yes, had the new models reflected the design sketches, they certainly would have been considered all new.  The sketches are very nice looking.    I hope this refresh only lasts a couple model years, but I’m not optimistic based on current Ford trends. 

No, I meant Explorer. They were billing their very late refresh as a new model, but then the tone changed about it later when most of the media referred to it as a refresh.

US spec Ranger 2.3T makes 270hp and the same engine is rated 185hp in AUS spec PHEV (without the PHEV part). I'm sure Ford didn't detune it by 30% 😆   The AUS spec PHEV is rated at 207KW which is 278hp. Crazy coincidence that PHEV and ICE Ranger have almost the same hp rating? Right... 🙃   Ranger PHEV is Ford Australia's greenwash vehicle and is being closely watched by the Govt regulators since Ranger is either #1 or #2 selling vehicle in AUS and NZ. Australia introduced a new system similar to CAFE where car companies will be fined if they go over some kind of corporate fuel economy target.   It's what it says on the spec sheet but some website or magazine will be able to do some 0-100 km/h or 1/4 mile test and strap it to a dyno and we will find out soon enough.   US spec Ranger 2.3T does 0-60 mph around 6.5 seconds in various tests. I will take the under if I'm a betting man when an Australian magazine or website do their test on Ranger PHEV.

When Ford & Lincoln released design sketches alongside the debut of the refreshed models, I noticed that the artists went beyond and revamped the whole bodies. The Expedition sketch has a half C-pillar and a more dimensional side profile. The Navigator is noticeably sleeker.   Likely those were artistic liberties, but I’d love to see Ford push the SUVs further visually along with powertrain and suspension updates next go around.

Agreed, but it's Ford....they'd just as soon cancel all the products and start over again with nothing to show for any of it.

I think you meant Expedition?