Ford Explorer dons Ironman armor
After Ford signed on to become the title sponsor of the Ironman Triathalon in 2005, the company decided to create an Explorer "buzz vehicle" to celebrate the relationship. The result is the 2007 Ironman Explorer, easily the best-looking Explorer variant based on the current body style.
Up front, the grille gets blacked out, making it look more compact than it does on other Explorers. This is a simple change that results in a huge visual improvement. Below that, a U-shaped silver grille embossed with the Ironman logo is added. Again, a welcome change -- it adds contrast and looks tougher than the simple bulge on the lower bumper of the standard Explorer. This new piece is flanked by amber foglights, and the standard headlight assemblies get a sharp-looking blackout treatment as well.
The black theme continues on the lower body cladding and the new exposed-rivet wheel flares, while Ironman-specific six-spoke 18" wheels fill the wells. The net effect of the external mods is that the truck, in pictures at least, looks less massive and a whole lot sportier.
Inside, two-tone Black-and-Stone leather covers the seats, and the center stack gets done up in silver trim.
Five exterior colors are available, including Orange Frost, which is exclusive to this model. Look for the Ironman Explorer in Ford showrooms this September.
(Additional info after the jump)
Source: Ford
PRESS RELEASE:
WINNING COMBINATION
The Explorer Ironman combines capability with the strength, endurance and passion that drive the Ironman competitors.
Just like the triathletes, the 2007 Ford Explorer IronMan Edition is unique in its class from the black body side cladding and rivet-designed wheel lip moldings to the black grille.
The Ironman Triathalon is the world's most challenging endurance event. This fast-growing sport now hosts 28 events worldwide, pitting participants in a grueling 140.6-mile event that comprises a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike race and a 26.2-mile run, all done consecutively and typically in just over eight hours.
After attending several events, Ford Explorer Marketing Manager Glen Burke saw a correlation between Ford sport utility vehicles and the Ironman participants.
"The strength, endurance, passion and dedication I saw in the contestants echoed the same attributes that are found in Ford sport utility vehicles," says Burke.
Combining that with the fact that a high percentage of the participants were sport utility owners, Burke saw a perfect opportunity for a tie with the Ford brand, signing a three-year agreement in 2005 to serve as the title sponsor for the Ironman World Championship.
"As we developed this relationship, we decided to generate a buzz vehicle within the Explorer lineup that would not just celebrate the relationship, but embody the spirit of Ironman," says Burke.
The limited-edition 2007 Ironman Explorer made its debut at the Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Ironman Triathalon the weekend of June 25, 2006.
Just like the triathletes, the Ironman Explorer is unique in its class, with black body-side cladding, rivet-designed wheel lip moldings and a black grille. The Ironman wears its own 18-inch machined-aluminum wheels with painted pockets and P235/65Rx18 A/S outlined white letter tires.
Fog lamps with amber-tinted lenses flank the unique front fascia that features a bold silver bumper embossed with the Ironman logo. A blackout treatment on the headlamps and a black roof rack and crossbars complete the look.
Inside, front-seat occupants are greeted by comfortable two-tone Black-and-Stone 10-way adjustable leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The silver center stack bezel adds to the vehicle's tough image, and easy-to-clean rubber floor mats carry the Ironman logo.
Exterior color choices are a unique-to-Ironman Orange Frost along with Oxford White, Ebony, Redfire and Silver Birch.
The Ironman Explorer will be in dealer showrooms in September 2006
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Evan 7:21AM (7/25/2006)
I think it looks way better than the regular edition.
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Britt Krebs 7:28AM (7/25/2006)
Who's kidding who here? Ford tacks on a couple of plastic bits and calls this an "Ironman"? Please. The styling department must have been out to lunch when marketing went calling that day. Oh wait, I forgot, the marketing department is already full of expert stylists (NOT). At least they could have replaced those whimpy little tires and wheels with something a tad more "manly".
Come on, Ford. Get off your ass and design something for a change. We want to be excited about your products, but with junk like this it's no wonder the company is in such dire straits.
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Doogs 7:54AM (7/25/2006)
I agree, the blacked-out grille does look way better. Then again, I prefer the Jetta GLI to all other Jetta variants.
If Ford wanted to do something interesting, they could have made all the gauges indiglo or something.
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Bill O'Luffah 7:59AM (7/25/2006)
More plasticy crappy add-ons for their crappy, poorly make cars. Why isn't Ford ashamed of this?
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jim 8:11AM (7/25/2006)
Looks like it was adjusted down to appeal to the IQ of 'ironmen'. Yuk.
j i m
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Omar 8:28AM (7/25/2006)
Only plastic!! I do not think the interior will be different as the regular edition. Why Ford do not take risks in the new designs? Are they just focusing in Mazda and Volvo?
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Puff Chippy 9:05AM (7/25/2006)
Call me crazy but I actually like the look of the regular chrome grill myself. If they wanted an Ironman Edition they should have put on some cool wheels with offroad tires and maybe a bull bar or something to make it look 'tough'. This one just looks kinda tacked together with spare parts.
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shawn 9:50AM (7/25/2006)
Why is it that Ford gets slammed on "design?" What "design" does Toyota or Honda offer?
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Galley 9:52AM (7/25/2006)
How about a cast iron body? Mow that would be what I call "Ford tough".
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amp 10:09AM (7/25/2006)
I’m slightly offended by this. I’ll be racing in IM Wisconsin this September, and this press release reeks of hollow marketing speak. I’m especially peeved at this one:
"The strength, endurance, passion and dedication I saw in the contestants echoed the same attributes that are found in Ford sport utility vehicles," says Burke.
I wish completing an Ironman was as easy as tacking on some plastic bits to my bike, please. Come on Ford, you can do better than this. If you want to have an official vehicle of IM, don’t make it some crappy SUV, how about something half-way decent, like maybe your Fusion. Or switch the sponsorship over to Mazda and give us the RX-8 or Mazda3.
This is a cheap way to try and prop up their faltering SUV sales.
Puff, you might be thinking of Ironman Ivan Steward Off-Road racing game. Iroman triathlons are raced on pavement. There are some off-road triathlon’s (think Xterra), but none of the Ironmans are.
Jim, way to vocalize out of your rectum.
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MikeW 10:14AM (7/25/2006)
Yeah skinny tires.
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Matt 10:48AM (7/25/2006)
The "Ironman" reference is to a line of Timex watches. I got it.
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Robert Aitchison 11:18AM (7/25/2006)
#2 (Britt Krebs) Why not Chevy has successfully demonstrated that they can put a boxy body on an ordinary SUV and call it a "HUMMER"
As for this Exploder, I guess you can polish a turd, though it still stinks.
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Hugh 11:29AM (7/25/2006)
Looks like a cut rate Land Rover.
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bob h. 11:33AM (7/25/2006)
A Blog that would bring together people that are interested in cars would be nice. This forum seems to mainly have "political" whiners who have nothing good to say, especially re: American cars, about any article. Why dont you all go join Al Queda...so we can toast you along with those other American haters.
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courtstone 11:40AM (7/25/2006)
I kinda like it...
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Howard Kerr 11:59AM (7/25/2006)
I'm not a fan of Explorers, but if Ford wanted to appeal to me, they could keep the black flares on the wheelwells but ditch the exposed screwheads and "rework" the "tacked-on" plastic piece under the grille opening. I do agree, meatier tires, especially considering the Explorer's past rep for blowing tiny, uninflated tires, would be way better (though they would probably windup being a lot noisier). The wheels aren't bad either, but I bet they will soon be optional on other Explorers.
Anyone remember the Isuzu Vehicross Ironman? Yeah, Isuzu, who didn't make/sell a heck of a lot of "regular" Vehicrosses, sold a special Ironman edition. Wish I could find a link to a pix...but there's probably one for sale on e-bay.
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GOKARTN 12:06PM (7/25/2006)
When Ford picks a car to represent Ironman, they need to go to the parking lot of a triathlon to see what would be proper. You see more Honda Elements, Subaru Foresters, BMW X5s, Volvo V70s and other imports. People who spend $2500 to $7000 for their racing bike and $1500+ for their carbon racing wheels tend to be too discriminating for an Explorer.
It seems to me that Volvo would be a better choice for the Ford family of cars to market to triathletes.
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Peter 1:16PM (7/25/2006)
I don't understand the relationship between a triathalon and an SUV. A triathalon is about efficiency and speed -- and this vehicle relates to neither.
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Ken 2:18PM (7/25/2006)
Hey GOKATN,
People who drive around in X5's and Volvo's and such with bike or ski racks on them tend to do so for the image it represents. I'm not saying those people do not ride, but they liked to be noticed as well. My neighbor participates in triathalons, and he loads up his Excursion with all his gear, his fellow friends gear, and still has room to take his family with him. What I'm saying is you can't judge a man by his car. An Explorer or Ford SUV owner is not bubba with a mullet, with a bumper sticker that says "My other car is a Z28"
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