From the visual stand point, Ford says it has redesigned the model “bottom to top, inside and out” to give it a modern, 21 century look. This means both new and old elements for the SUV. The new Explorer also takes inspiration from other Ford vehicles, as it comes with Mustang-like wheel flares and Taurus inspired body-side undercut. Defining Explorer elements remain the roof rack, rounded corners, shorter overhang and mean-looking wheels and tires.
On the interior, Ford offers a blend of European design cues (forward-leaning center stack and instrument panel that “melts” into the doors) and an American feel to it all. Cloth interior surfaces are made of 25 percent recycled content, while the already announced soy-based seating foam seats make the interior of the new Explorer be as green as it can be.
Engine wise, the Explorer will be equipped with two engines, a 3.5l V6 and a 2.0l four cylinder EcoBoost. The first unit, developing 290 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque, will be offered as standard on base, XLT and Limited trims.
The engines will be paired to a six-speed transmission as standard. The XLT and Limited trims offer a SelectShift Automatic transmission which allows drivers to manually change gears using a shifter-mounted +/- toggle switch.
The off road abilities of the new Explorer come from the 4WD system, paired with electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) and dampers. Four-wheel independent coil-spring suspension ensure a smooth ride, while the dampers allow the SUV to maintain the same motion in the same cadence as the wheels.
The Explorer's intelligent 4WD with terrain management allows the driver to select from four modes, normal, mud and ruts, sand and snow. Normal sends torque to the front wheels and only when needed to the rear ones, while the mud and ruts mode allows torque demand at the top end of the throttle.
Sand mode maximizes wheel torque and desensitizes traction control to allow more wheel spin. Snow mode allows less wheel spin and earlier transmission upshifts.
The new Explorer can be used for heavy towing as well. The SUV is good for up to 5,000 pounds and comes equipped with trailer brake control wiring and trailer sway control borrowed from the F-150.
The 2011 version of the Explorer comes packed with high-tech gadgetry and systems. Ford offers three versions of the Explorer, base, XLT and Limited.
Explorer Base comes equipped with cruise control, single CD/MP3-capable six-speaker audio system (with steering wheel-mounted controls), MyKey and keyless entry remote. The interior is wrapped in cloth.
The XLT model adds chrome and satin-finish accent trim, 18-inch aluminum wheels, unique cloth seating, leather covering for steering wheel and shift knob, SelectShift Automatic transmission, SecuriCode keyless entry keypad, fog lamps, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, perimeter alarm and reverse sensing system.
Ford also offers for this trim the Driver Connection Package (MyFord Touch and Ford SYNC) and Comfort Package (leather, heated seats with 10-way power adjustment for driver and six-way power adjustment for first-row passenger).
The top of the line Limited builds on the XLT and adds ambient lighting, adjustable pedals with memory, dual zone climate control, Sony audio systemm SYNC, MyFord Touch and Intelligent Access with push-button start.
Two packages are available for the Limited as well, 1 and 2. Package 1 comes with voice-activated nav-system, a single CD/MP3 player, SD card for map and point-of-interest storage, and integrated SIRIUS Travel Link.
Package 2 brings to the table active park assist, adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support, rain-sensing wipers, BLIS with cross-traffic alert and HID headlamps.
Google News