Produced for nine years, the fifth generation of the Explorer dropped the V8 option of its predecessor for four- and six-cylinder options topping with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6. Then the sixth generation debuted last year for 2020 with four- and six-pot motors as well, but this time around, Ford downgraded to 3.0 liters for the V6.
Underpinned by the CD6 unibody vehicle architecture for rear- and all-wheel-drive applications, the latest Explorer of the lot is also available in a sporty trim called ST. In this configuration, the mid-size SUV packs no fewer than 400 horsepower (406 PS) and 415 pound-feet (563 Nm) of torque at the crank.
So far so good, yet the Explorer ST has received a few thumbs down from motoring journalists and consumers alike for the exhaust sound of the 3.0-liter mill. The truth of the matter is, not even the 3.5 in the GT mid-engine supercar can hold a candle to the supercharged V8 of the previous model. The twin-turbo setup also affects the engine’s potential in terms of aural pleasure, but still, it’s not exactly a deal breaker.
Explorer ST customers who do want a little more noise from the six-pot EcoBoost can turn to the aftermarket for solutions, including two options from exhaust specialist Borla. A cat-back system from this brand costs just under $1,500 but there’s an even louder alternative to the utility vehicle’s exhaust woes by opting for straight pipes.
YouTube channel Never Stock did exactly that to a brand-new example of the breed, and the result speaks for itself. Not only does the engine sound marvelous under acceleration, but the factory mufflers are gone as well. Bear in mind, however, that the straight-piped exhaust system was a work in progress at the time this video was filmed.
“We actually do plan on running a straight pipe on this car by utilizing the stock tips,” said Never Stock in a YouTube comment. “Unfortunately the muffler does not unbolt on the ST. We are just waiting until we have some time to get under there with a welder.”
For reference, the other two videos are the Explorer ST with Borla's ATAK exhaust system as well as the Explorer ST in bone-stock configuration.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News