VENICE BEACH, CA - The Ford Explorer, the poster child of the ‘90s gas-guzzling SUV boom, has changed its ways.
“The all-new Explorer will deliver today’s SUV buyers the attributes they really want and value, and a few they might not even have dreamed of,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “We’re proud to introduce the new Explorer to customers and fans around the world today and pleased to begin a whole new era that blends strong SUV fuel economy and performance.”
Ford has taken a step in a new direction with what, arguably, used to be its flagship vehicle in the US. This time a modern, passenger-friendly three-row design, combining some of the best attributes of newer crossover designs, Ford’s industry-leading connectivity features, and some of the ruggedness of a traditional SUV—including a Range Rover-like terrain system—the automaker hopes to appeal to a practical crowd that’s looking for something a little different this time.
The new Explorer will still offer a four-wheel drive system, but it will be more suited to weather and light terrain than true off-roading. Ford is simplifying things for driver by providing Terrain Management. With the system, drivers can select specific weather and road conditions (such as normal, mud, sand or snow).
The new Explorer will come standard with a 290-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 and can be optioned with a 237-horsepower EcoBoost turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that will improve Explorer gas mileage by 30-percent over the 2010 model’s base engine. By contrast, the previous Explorer’s base engine was rated at only 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway.
“The new Explorer simply does everything well,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “It raises the bar for ride and handling on the road and transforms the off-road experience. It’s the hands-down winner for towing capability and ease. All this capability – and three rows of seating – with amazing fuel economy will make Explorer the absolute right choice for families with a sense of adventure.”
In addition to its clean, modern design inside and out, Explorer aims to please SUV shoppers with a thoughtful, flexible interior package that abounds with clever storage capacity. The new SUV features more head and shoulder room, three rows of flexible seating, and room for everything families want to take along on their adventures.
The Explorer design – inside and out – is executed with world-class craftsmanship. Tight margin gaps are just one indication of the immense attention to detail applied to craftsmanship across the spectrum, from design to engineering to manufacturing.
For the new model year, the 2011 Ford Explorer will see a radical new body style. It is departing from the current body-on-frame design in favor of a unibody model. A new engine will be used that will offer a large increase in fuel efficiency. The one down side about the new vehicle’s new style and engine is that the towing capacity will be reduced. The new Explorer should reach dealerships in late 2010.
The exterior of the 2011 Ford Explorer will take a dramatic departure from the 2010 model. Rather than sporting a body-on-frame platform, the new Explorer will offer a unibody construction. It looks like a larger version of the Ford Edge with three rows of seating. Exterior features may see changes with the redesign.
Along with a redesign of the exterior, the interior of the 2011 Ford Explorer is expected to see changes. The Explorer has three rows of seating. It should be available with Sync, a navigation system, cruise control, cup holders, an audio system with mp3 player, CD player, and steering-wheel mounted audio controls. Higher trim levels and options should include leather seats, DVD player, USB port, Bluetooth compatibility, and a rear view camera.
The high level of connectivity is another perk for busy working moms and dads who are running the kids around town. The 2011 Explorer is available with the MyFord Touch on the XLT and Limited trims, and the SUV can also be equipped with a Wi-Fi hot spot. With that amount of distraction, it’s probably best that Ford outfitted this car with every safety bell and whistle on the market, including inflatable seat belts, cross traffic sensors, and the new CURVE control feature.
The new Explorer would also include 13 new smart features including MyFord, Terrain Management System, and Active Park Assist.
For families who make safety a priority, the 2011 Ford Explorer is the first vehicle in the world with inflatable safety belts are to be mounted in the outboard second-row seats. The inflatable belts spread the force of impact throughout the body. This reduces the pressure on the chest while helping to control head and neck motion.
Added safety features include Bind Spot Information System, cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, collision warning with brake support and tire pressure monitoring system.
The new Explorer also includes AdvanceTrac electronic stability control with RSC and the world’s first application of Curve Control, a new Ford feature designed to enhance vehicle braking in instances of excessive speed in turning or curve conditions.
The 2011 Ford Explorer will be a different kind of vehicle than the 2010 model. With progress in fuel economy, it’s easier to make the argument for buying this much SUV. The pricing makes the rest of the case: the 2011 Explorer starts at $28,995--$1,000 less than the current model. It’s also $1,000 less than the 2010 Ford Flex SE. Fully loaded, the 2011 Ford Explorer LMT is $36,995, which includes the enhanced MyFord Touch. n
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