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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Video: 2011 Ford Explorer plays on seesaw at Chicago Auto Show]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/video-2011-ford-explorer-plays-on-seesaw-at-chicago-auto-show/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/video-2011-ford-explorer-plays-on-seesaw-at-chicago-auto-show/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/video-2011-ford-explorer-plays-on-seesaw-at-chicago-auto-show/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/chicago-auto-show/" rel="tag">Chicago Auto Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUV</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/videos/" rel="tag">Videos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/video-2011-ford-explorer-plays-on-seesaw-at-chicago-auto-show/#continued"><img alt="Autoblog Short Cuts: 2011 Ford Explorer demonstrating Terrain Management" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/autoblog-shortcuts-terrain-m-1297357431.jpg" style="border-style: solid; border-width: 0px; margin: 4px 0px;" /></a><br />
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	Click above to watch Autoblog Short Cuts: 2011 Ford Explorer demonstrates Terrain Management</div>
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford">Ford</a> has set up a display to show off the multiple Terrain Management modes on the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/explorer">2011 Explorer</a> at this year's <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/chicago-auto-show">Chicago Auto Show</a>. As you may recall, the tech keeps an eye on a laundry list of parameters, including specs like engine speed, throttle position, transmission shift patterns and the stability and traction control systems.<br />
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Visitors can ride shotgun over a number of surfaces, including a seesaw that transitions from a steep, slippery incline into a similarly aggressive descent and a deep sand section. The multiple surfaces are designed to flex the Explorer's all-terrain muscles, at least in the climate-controlled comfort of McCormick place.<br />
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Our own Drew Phillips cooked up a quick video of the ride along for your viewing pleasure. The clip after the jump includes all of the gravity-defying action of the Explorer all-terrain system when viewed from both the cabin and from the safety of the show floor. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/video-2011-ford-explorer-plays-on-seesaw-at-chicago-auto-show/#continued">Follow the jump</a> to check out the video for yourself.<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/video-2011-ford-explorer-plays-on-seesaw-at-chicago-auto-show/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Video: 2011 Ford Explorer plays on seesaw at Chicago Auto Show</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/video-2011-ford-explorer-plays-on-seesaw-at-chicago-auto-show/">Video: 2011 Ford Explorer plays on seesaw at Chicago Auto Show</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:10:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/video-2011-ford-explorer-plays-on-seesaw-at-chicago-auto-show/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19838625/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2011/02/10/video-2011-ford-explorer-plays-on-seesaw-at-chicago-auto-show/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011</category><category>2011 chicago auto show</category><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 ford explorer</category><category>chicago</category><category>chicago 2011</category><category>explorer</category><category>ford explorer</category><category>video</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Bowman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:10:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Report: Ford Explorer orders nearly double expectations]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/28/report-ford-explorer-orders-nearly-double-expectations/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/28/report-ford-explorer-orders-nearly-double-expectations/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/28/report-ford-explorer-orders-nearly-double-expectations/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/carbuying/" rel="tag">Car Buying</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-southern-california-live-debut/"><img width="630" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="384" border="1" align="top" alt="2011 Ford Explorer" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/11/06explorer2011debutca.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2011 Ford Explorer - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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The <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/explorer">2011 Ford Explorer</a> is a drastic departure from its predecessors, ditching body-on-frame construction in favor of a unibody structure, and sharing its platform with the <a href="http://autoblog.com/ford/taurus">Taurus</a> sedan (as well as the <a href="http://autoblog.com/ford/flex">Flex</a>, <a href="http://autoblog.com/infiniti/mks">Lincoln MKS</a> and <a href="http://autoblog.com/infiniti/mkt">MKT</a>). This shift to a traditional crossover construction has not turned away buyers, however, and Ford reports that Explorer pre-orders have nearly doubled original projections.<br />
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According to <em>The Detroit News</em>, Ford has received roughly 15,000 orders for the 2011 Explorer. This includes about 3,000 retail and 7,500 dealer orders, as well as an additional 4,500 orders from companies.<br />
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Jason Mase, Ford's manager of utility vehicles, told <em>The Detroit News</em> that about 55 percent of buyers are opting for the trailer tow package, and 64 percent want all-wheel drive. Mase says that consumers don't really care if the vehicle is a crossover or an SUV, the major concern is that the vehicle fits their specific needs. So far, so good, and Ford expects this trend to continue after the Explorer officially hits dealerships in early 2011.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-southern-california-live-debut">2011 Ford Explorer Southern California Live Debut</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-southern-california-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/01explorer2011debutca_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-southern-california-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/02explorer2011debutca_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-southern-california-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/03explorer2011debutca_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-southern-california-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/04explorer2011debutca_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-southern-california-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/05explorer2011debutca_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<em><strong><small>Photos copyright (C)2010 <a href="http://www.drewphillipsphotography.com">Drew Phillips</a> / AOL</small></strong></em><br />
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[Source: <a href="http://www.detnews.com/article/20101127/AUTO01/11270324/1148/auto01/Explorer-%E2%80%9911-orders-double-forecasts">The Detroit News</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/28/report-ford-explorer-orders-nearly-double-expectations/">Report: Ford Explorer orders nearly double expectations</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Sun, 28 Nov 2010 09:31:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.detnews.com/article/20101127/AUTO01/11270324/1148/auto01/Explorer-%E2%80%9911-orders-double-forecasts>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/28/report-ford-explorer-orders-nearly-double-expectations/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19735244/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/28/report-ford-explorer-orders-nearly-double-expectations/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 ford explorer</category><category>explorer</category><category>ford</category><category>ford explorer</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Steven J. Ewing]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 28 Nov 2010 09:31:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford begins using WiFi to install Sync on assembly lines]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/31/ford-begins-using-wifi-to-install-sync-on-assembly-lines/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/31/ford-begins-using-wifi-to-install-sync-on-assembly-lines/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/31/ford-begins-using-wifi-to-install-sync-on-assembly-lines/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/plants-manufacturing/" rel="tag">Plants/Manufacturing</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/08/fordsyncwifiinst.jpg" alt="" /><br />
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In case you thought installing <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/sync">SYNC</a> into <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford">Ford</a> vehicles was a ho-hum-whatever affair, that's not the case - Ford puts a lot of thought into it. The Blue Oval's latest assembly line advance is to have SYNC's infotainment software installed into the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/edge">2011 Ford Edge</a> via WiFi. Made possible by the the latest version of SYNC with WiFi access, the new process allows Ford to save money on parts and inventory by using a common module among vehicles in different cars and made in different plants. After the Edge, the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/infiniti/mkx">Lincoln MKX</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/explorer">2011 Explorer</a> will gain the same systems. Follow the jump for the press release.<br />
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[Source: Ford]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/31/ford-begins-using-wifi-to-install-sync-on-assembly-lines/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Ford begins using WiFi to install Sync on assembly lines</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/31/ford-begins-using-wifi-to-install-sync-on-assembly-lines/">Ford begins using WiFi to install Sync on assembly lines</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:32:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/31/ford-begins-using-wifi-to-install-sync-on-assembly-lines/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19612353/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/31/ford-begins-using-wifi-to-install-sync-on-assembly-lines/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 edge</category><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 ford</category><category>2011 ford edge</category><category>2011 ford explorer</category><category>2011 lincoln</category><category>2011 lincoln mkx</category><category>2011 mkx</category><category>2011Edge</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>2011Ford</category><category>2011FordEdge</category><category>2011FordExplorer</category><category>2011Lincoln</category><category>2011LincolnMkx</category><category>2011Mkx</category><category>ford edge</category><category>ford sync</category><category>FordEdge</category><category>FordSync</category><category>sync</category><category>tech</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonathon Ramsey]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:32:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[2011 Ford Explorer unveiled live from coast to coast]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-live-from-coast-to-coast/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-live-from-coast-to-coast/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-live-from-coast-to-coast/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUV</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-southern-california-live-debut/"><img hspace="0" border="1" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead1explorer2011debutca.jpg" alt="" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2011 Ford Explorer Live Debut in Southern California - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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It's been quite a day for the new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/explorer">2011 Ford Explorer</a>. After <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/02/video-ford-shows-off-2011-explorer-air-leak-and-panel-gap-tests/">teasing</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/13/2011-ford-explorer-teasers-continue-with-headlight-peek/">more teasing</a>, and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/ford-explorer-teasers-keep-coming-model-to-debut-july-26-in-nyc/">even more teasing</a>, <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/ford">Ford</a> finally unveiled what it thinks will "reinvent the SUV for the 21st century." At 12:01 EST this morning, we presented an <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-tries-crossing-over-on-road-to-redemption/">in-depth look at the new Explorer</a>, providing details on the new exterior and interior as well as some of the safety features, and at noon we went over the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-puts-four-cylinder-ecoboost-engine-above-v6/">new powertrain options</a>, including the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/19/2011-ford-explorer-with-ecoboost-2-0-liter-delivers-30-better-f/">2.0-liter EcoBoost inline-4</a> that will deliver 30 percent better fuel efficiency than the previous V6 model. Ford has even put up a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-configurator-already-up-and-running-pricing/">configurator for the 2011 Explorer</a>, allowing you to build your own.<br />
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<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-new-york-city-live-debut/#3205989"><img hspace="4" border="1" align="right" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead1explorer2011debutnyc.jpg" alt="" /></a>The <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/explorer">2011 Explorer</a> was also introduced live in various parts of the country, from the middle of New York City to Detroit to Los Angeles. We were in attendance on both ends of the coasts to cover the unveilings, each of which had an entirely different feel. <em>The Discovery Channel's</em> Mike Rowe was on hand with CEO Alan Mulally to make the introductions in the Big Apple, while Ford's President of the Americas Mark Fields did the honors amidst huge sand sculptures alongside the famous boardwalk in Venice Beach. You can see photos from both unveilings in the galleries below.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-southern-california-live-debut">2011 Ford Explorer Southern California Live Debut</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-southern-california-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/01explorer2011debutca_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-southern-california-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/02explorer2011debutca_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-southern-california-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/03explorer2011debutca_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-southern-california-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/04explorer2011debutca_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-southern-california-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/05explorer2011debutca_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-new-york-city-live-debut">2011 Ford Explorer New York City Live Debut</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-new-york-city-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/01explorer2011debutnyc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-new-york-city-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/02explorer2011debutnyc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-new-york-city-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/03explorer2011debutnyc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-new-york-city-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/04explorer2011debutnyc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-new-york-city-live-debut/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/05explorer2011debutnyc_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<strong><em><font size="1">Photos copyright (C)2010 </font></em></strong><a href="http://www.drewphillipsphotography.com/"><strong><em><font size="1">Drew Phillips</font></em></strong></a><strong><em><font size="1"> / Alex Nunez / AOL</font></em></strong><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-live-from-coast-to-coast/">2011 Ford Explorer unveiled live from coast to coast</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:58:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-live-from-coast-to-coast/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19569283/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-live-from-coast-to-coast/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011</category><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 ford explorer</category><category>2011 ford explorer 2.0l ecoboost</category><category>2011 ford explorer ecoboost</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>2011FordExplorer</category><category>2011FordExplorer2.0lEcoboost</category><category>2011FordExplorerEcoboost</category><category>explorer</category><category>ford</category><category>ford explorer</category><category>ford explorer ecoboost</category><category>FordExplorer</category><category>FordExplorerEcoboost</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Drew Phillips]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:58:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[2011 Ford Explorer configurator already up and running, pricing starts at $28,190*]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-configurator-already-up-and-running-pricing/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-configurator-already-up-and-running-pricing/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-configurator-already-up-and-running-pricing/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUV</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://bp2.forddirect.fordvehicles.com/2011-Ford-Explorer#page=/Models/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/explorer630.jpg" alt="" /><em><strong><br />
</strong></em></a><br />
It's been less than 24 hours since <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/ford">Ford</a> took the wraps off of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-tries-crossing-over-on-road-to-redemption/">2011 Explorer</a>, but in an effort to keep the buzz going about the all-new crossover due to hit dealerships later this year, Ford's <a href="http://bp2.forddirect.fordvehicles.com/2011-Ford-Explorer#page=/Models/">online configurator</a> is already up and running. <br />
<br />
At the moment, only models equipped with the 3.5-liter V6 can be optioned, ranging from the base $28,190 front-wheel drive Explorer (*Don't forget to add $805 for delivery fees) all the way up to the top-trim Limited 4WD ($39,190 plus destination). A fully decked-out all-wheel drive configuration will set you back $48,075* - and that's before the optional accessory list is looked over.<br />
<br />
If you have some time to waste, head over to Ford's configuration page and spec out the Explorer of your dreams. Additionally, be sure to scroll through our <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-colors/">gallery of color choices</a>, showing the nine available paint jobs.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-colors">2011 Ford Explorer Colors</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-colors/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/screen-shot-2010-07-26-at-10.33.37-am_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-colors/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/screen-shot-2010-07-26-at-10.33.47-am_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-colors/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/screen-shot-2010-07-26-at-10.33.54-am_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-colors/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/screen-shot-2010-07-26-at-10.33.58-am_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-colors/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/screen-shot-2010-07-26-at-10.34.04-am_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer">2011 Ford Explorer</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/01-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/02-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/03-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/04-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/05-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: <a href="http://bp2.forddirect.fordvehicles.com/2011-Ford-Explorer#page=/Models/">Ford</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-configurator-already-up-and-running-pricing/">2011 Ford Explorer configurator already up and running, pricing starts at $28,190*</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://bp2.forddirect.fordvehicles.com/2011-Ford-Explorer#page=/Models/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-configurator-already-up-and-running-pricing/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19568508/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-configurator-already-up-and-running-pricing/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 ford explorer</category><category>2011 ford explorer 2.0l ecoboost</category><category>2011 ford explorer ecoboost</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>2011FordExplorer</category><category>2011FordExplorer2.0lEcoboost</category><category>2011FordExplorerEcoboost</category><category>configurator</category><category>explorer</category><category>explorer msrp</category><category>explorer pricing</category><category>ExplorerMsrp</category><category>ExplorerPricing</category><category>ford</category><category>ford configurator</category><category>Ford Explorer</category><category>ford explorer 2011</category><category>ford explorer configurator</category><category>FordConfigurator</category><category>FordExplorer</category><category>FordExplorer2011</category><category>FordExplorerConfigurator</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Steven J. Ewing]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[2011 Ford Explorer puts four-cylinder EcoBoost engine above V6 in pecking order]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-puts-four-cylinder-ecoboost-engine-above-v6/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-puts-four-cylinder-ecoboost-engine-above-v6/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-puts-four-cylinder-ecoboost-engine-above-v6/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUV</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/off-road/" rel="tag">Off-Road</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/11explorer14opta.jpg" alt="" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2011 Ford Explorer - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
<br />
For part two of our in-depth look at the 2011 Ford Explorer, we'll take a look at its new powertrains and improvements in fuel efficiency, as well as how well it can still tow a trailer. But first let's see what kind of techno-goodies Ford has applied to this new SUV.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><big>Technology</big></strong><br />
<br />
This being 2010, technology has to play a big part in any major new vehicle introduction. On the inside, the Explorer joins the new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/edge">Edge</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/focus">Focus</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/mkx">Lincoln MKX</a> in adopting the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/07/myford-touch-proves-that-the-shape-of-things-to-come-is-awesome/">MyFord Touch</a> interface. We first saw this new touch sensitive interface when the MKX and Focus were unveiled at the 2010 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/detroit-auto-show/">Detroit Auto Show</a> in January. Much like modern smartphones, the center stack has a smooth surface with capacitive touch buttons to manage the audio and climate controls. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-puts-four-cylinder-ecoboost-engine-above-v6/#continued">Continue reading after the jump</a> or check out <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-tries-crossing-over-on-road-to-redemption/">part one of our introduction to the 2011 Ford Explorer</a> first.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer">2011 Ford Explorer</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/01-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/02-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/03-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/04-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/05-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-puts-four-cylinder-ecoboost-engine-above-v6/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>2011 Ford Explorer puts four-cylinder EcoBoost engine above V6 in pecking order</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-puts-four-cylinder-ecoboost-engine-above-v6/">2011 Ford Explorer puts four-cylinder EcoBoost engine above V6 in pecking order</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:57:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-puts-four-cylinder-ecoboost-engine-above-v6/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19567930/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-puts-four-cylinder-ecoboost-engine-above-v6/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 ford explorer</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>2011FordExplorer</category><category>explorer</category><category>explorer ecoboost</category><category>explorer engine</category><category>explorer engines</category><category>ExplorerEcoboost</category><category>ExplorerEngine</category><category>ExplorerEngines</category><category>featured</category><category>ford</category><category>ford explorer</category><category>FordExplorer</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Sam Abuelsamid]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:57:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[2011 Ford Explorer unveiled, tries crossing over on road to redemption]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-tries-crossing-over-on-road-to-redemption/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-tries-crossing-over-on-road-to-redemption/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-tries-crossing-over-on-road-to-redemption/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUV</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/safety/" rel="tag">Safety</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/design-style/" rel="tag">Design/Style</a></p><div style="text-align: left;"><em><strong><small><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img hspace="0" height="428" width="630" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/11explorer01hropt.jpg" /></a><br />
</small></strong></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small> 2011 Ford Explorer Deep Dive - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
<br />
<strong>UPDATE:</strong> <em>When you're done reading part one, check out </em><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-puts-four-cylinder-ecoboost-engine-above-v6/"><em>part two of our introduction of the 2011 Ford Explorer</em></a><em> that focuses on new technology, powertrains and fuel efficiency.</em><br />
<br />
In creating the 2011 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/explorer">Explorer</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford/">Ford</a> engineers and designers had an enormously difficult task set before them. Ford's President of the Americas, Mark Fields, described the job as "Reinventing the SUV for the 21st century." Despite the near complete collapse of the traditional mid-to-large SUV market over the last several years, Ford still sees a substantial market for the capabilities of these boxy behemoths. Customers just don't want the traditional downsides that accompany these body-on-frame 'utes - specifically, their higher fuel consumption and poor ride and handling.<br />
<br />
<div style="border: 0px dotted black; margin: 5px; padding: 2px 3px; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); line-height: 120%; font-size: 1.5em; float: right; width: 220px; text-align: center;"><strong>The new Explorer remains squarely targeted at traditional SUV buyers.</strong></div>
Since its debut some 20 years ago, the Explorer has sold over six million units, four million of which are still traversing the world's roads. Through much of the late-1990s and early part of the last decade, the Explorer was Ford's second-best-selling vehicle behind its <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/f-150">F-Series pickups</a>, regularly selling 400,000 units a year. Fast-forward to 2009, and that volume had plummeted to just over 52,000. Even so, Ford believes it still has an opportunity. According to the automaker's vice president of global marketing, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/15/fords-jim-farley-reportedly-promoted-to-global-marketing-post/">Jim Farley</a>, each year, at least 140,000 Explorer owners come back to Blue Oval dealerships looking to purchase new vehicles. And obviously, they just aren't buying Explorers. <br />
<br />
When word got out that Ford was developing a new unibody Explorer off the same platform architecture that underpins the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/taurus">Taurus</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/flex">Flex</a> - not to mention the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/lincoln/">Lincoln</a> <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/infiniti/mks">MKS</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/infiniti/mkt">MKT</a> - many people wondered why Dearborn had elected to develop yet another crossover, especially since the Taurus X/Freestyle had just been killed due to slow sales. This predicament was not lost on Ford's product planners, and their four-wheeled response is a new Explorer that remains squarely targeted at traditional SUV buyers - shoppers that Ford sees as a distinct group from most crossover intenders. Long ago, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/jeep/">Jeep</a> proved with the Cherokee and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/jeep/grand+cherokee">Grand Cherokee</a> that a unibody chassis isn't necessarily an impediment to building a fully capable off-roader, and Ford appears to have taken that lesson to heart, along with targeting big improvements in fuel economy and driving dynamics. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-tries-crossing-over-on-road-to-redemption/#continued">Follow the jump</a> to find out if they succeeded.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer">2011 Ford Explorer</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/01-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/02-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/03-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/04-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/05-2011-ford-explorer_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-tries-crossing-over-on-road-to-redemption/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>2011 Ford Explorer unveiled, tries crossing over on road to redemption</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-tries-crossing-over-on-road-to-redemption/">2011 Ford Explorer unveiled, tries crossing over on road to redemption</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-tries-crossing-over-on-road-to-redemption/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19567729/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-tries-crossing-over-on-road-to-redemption/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 ford explorer</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>2011FordExplorer</category><category>curve control</category><category>CurveControl</category><category>deep dive</category><category>DeepDive</category><category>explorer</category><category>explorer deep dive</category><category>explorer unibody</category><category>ExplorerDeepDive</category><category>ExplorerUnibody</category><category>featured</category><category>ford</category><category>ford explorer</category><category>FordExplorer</category><category>inflatable seat belt</category><category>inflatable seatbelt</category><category>InflatableSeatBelt</category><category>Jim Farley</category><category>JimFarley</category><category>Mark Fields</category><category>MarkFields</category><category>roll stability control</category><category>RollStabilityControl</category><category>RSC</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Sam Abuelsamid]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[2011 Ford Explorer with EcoBoost 2.0-liter delivers 30% better fuel economy than V6]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/19/2011-ford-explorer-with-ecoboost-2-0-liter-delivers-30-better-f/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/19/2011-ford-explorer-with-ecoboost-2-0-liter-delivers-30-better-f/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/19/2011-ford-explorer-with-ecoboost-2-0-liter-delivers-30-better-f/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/fordexplorerecoboost.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford">Ford</a> has got the gas mileage goods on its <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/2011+Ford+Explorer/">2011 EcoBoost-powered Explorer</a>, and it's news you might like if you want one: you'll get 30 percent better mileage with the inline-four than you could with the outgoing V6. Ford did, however, leave a key detail out of the press release touting this: it didn't reveal the actual mileage number, "pending EPA certification." <br />
<br />
Nevertheless, with the 2010 Explorer's 210-horsepower, 4.0-liter V6 EPA rated at 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 out on the highway, you're looking at a healthy increase all over with the four-pot turbo doing the work up front. Follow the jump for Ford's press release that details all the reasons your wallet won't be so sad if you end up buying a 2011 Explorer. <br />
<br />
[Source: Ford]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/19/2011-ford-explorer-with-ecoboost-2-0-liter-delivers-30-better-f/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>2011 Ford Explorer with EcoBoost 2.0-liter delivers 30% better fuel economy than V6</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/19/2011-ford-explorer-with-ecoboost-2-0-liter-delivers-30-better-f/">2011 Ford Explorer with EcoBoost 2.0-liter delivers 30% better fuel economy than V6</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:29:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/19/2011-ford-explorer-with-ecoboost-2-0-liter-delivers-30-better-f/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19559122/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/19/2011-ford-explorer-with-ecoboost-2-0-liter-delivers-30-better-f/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 ford explorer</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>2011FordExplorer</category><category>epa</category><category>explorer</category><category>ford explorer</category><category>FordExplorer</category><category>gas mileage</category><category>GasMileage</category><category>mileage</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonathon Ramsey]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:29:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford Explorer teasers keep coming, model to debut July 26 in NYC]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/ford-explorer-teasers-keep-coming-model-to-debut-july-26-in-nyc/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/ford-explorer-teasers-keep-coming-model-to-debut-july-26-in-nyc/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/ford-explorer-teasers-keep-coming-model-to-debut-july-26-in-nyc/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/economy/" rel="tag">Budget</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUV</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/celebrities/" rel="tag">Celebrities</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/01-explorer-630.jpg" alt="" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2011 Ford Explorer teaser images - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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The agonizing 2011 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/explorer">Ford Explorer</a> striptease continues, made somewhat less painful by the fact that we now have what appears to be a solid unveil date and location. While the company has rolled out two new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/2011-ford-explorer-teasing-continues-my-what-big-pillars-you/">detail shots</a> of the reworked SUV-turned-crossover - including a look at the rear hatch and roof rails (oooh!) - the Blue Oval has also graced the world with news that "a new Ford vehicle" will get a complete unveil in New York City's Herald Square on Monday, July 26. Less we've missed our mark by a wide berth, odds are that the vehicle is the 2011 Explorer.<br />
<br />
According to Ford, the whole gang will be in attendance for the event, including CEO Alan Mulally and spokesperson <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/01/mike-rowe-and-ford-take-shot-at-toyota-in-latest-commercial/">Mike Rowe</a>. Who knows exactly what kind of high jinks the company has planned for the 26th, but given the substantial buzz Ford has tried to build for the new Expy, we would be surprised if it were just a stage and a silk sheet. Stay tuned.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers">2011 Ford Explorer Teasers</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/3461542258952160038180975160050228656865841n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/3128741290357660038180975160047602551349064n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/3128741290355160038180975160047602533750279n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/3128741290353660038180975160047602524338561n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/3128741290356660038180975160047602545260881n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: Ford]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/ford-explorer-teasers-keep-coming-model-to-debut-july-26-in-nyc/">Ford Explorer teasers keep coming, model to debut July 26 in NYC</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/ford-explorer-teasers-keep-coming-model-to-debut-july-26-in-nyc/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19555602/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/16/ford-explorer-teasers-keep-coming-model-to-debut-july-26-in-nyc/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011</category><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 Ford Explorer</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>2011FordExplorer</category><category>alan mulally</category><category>AlanMulally</category><category>blue oval</category><category>BlueOval</category><category>Explorer</category><category>Ford</category><category>Ford Explorer</category><category>FordExplorer</category><category>Mike Rowe</category><category>MikeRowe</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Zach Bowman]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 16 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[2011 Ford Explorer teasing continues - My, what big pillars you have]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/2011-ford-explorer-teasing-continues-my-what-big-pillars-you/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/2011-ford-explorer-teasing-continues-my-what-big-pillars-you/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/2011-ford-explorer-teasing-continues-my-what-big-pillars-you/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUV</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/marketing-advertising/" rel="tag">Marketing/Advertising</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="0" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/ford-explorer-fb-teaser.jpg" alt="" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><small>2011 Ford Explorer Facebook teaser shots - Click above for image gallery</small></em></strong></div>
<br />
The <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/09/omg-lol-2011-ford-explorer-to-get-facebook-reveal/">slow burn of Ford Explorer Facebook teasers</a> continues today as the Blue Oval has seen fit to update its online photo gallery with three new images showing off various bits of its new 2011 unibody-based sport ute. This time, we're teased with a view of an open rear cargo hatch (above), a gearshift lever conspicuously absent of PRNDL markings and a power liftgate button. Sure, they may not be the three most interesting photos you lay your eyes upon today, but there are useful bits of info to glean with a closer look.<br />
<br />
For instance, just how thick are those D-pillars? Judging by the size of the suitably active outdoorsey family being focused on, it would appear that the rearmost pillars could swallow an entire fleet of subcompacts in the rearview mirror. Also, unless there are some super tricky optical-illusions going on due to an awkward camera angle or there's some sort of dual opening rear hatch arrangement, it sure looks like the cargo opening is a wee bit compromised for the sake of style and/or structural integrity (the last thing Ford execs want is more Explorer rollover headaches).<br />
<br />
In any case, we should be privy to a full web debut sometime in July. At that time, all our questions will be answered, but in the meantime, check out all the teaser images in our gallery below.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers">2011 Ford Explorer Teasers</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/3461542258952160038180975160050228656865841n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/3128741290357660038180975160047602551349064n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/3128741290355160038180975160047602533750279n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/3128741290353660038180975160047602524338561n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/3128741290356660038180975160047602545260881n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/FordExplorer?v=wall&amp;ref=ts">Ford Explorer Facebook</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/2011-ford-explorer-teasing-continues-my-what-big-pillars-you/">2011 Ford Explorer teasing continues - My, what big pillars you have</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/2011-ford-explorer-teasing-continues-my-what-big-pillars-you/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19522095/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/2011-ford-explorer-teasing-continues-my-what-big-pillars-you/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 ford</category><category>2011 ford explorer</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>2011Ford</category><category>2011FordExplorer</category><category>blue oval</category><category>BlueOval</category><category>explorer</category><category>explorer teasers</category><category>ExplorerTeasers</category><category>ford</category><category>ford explorer</category><category>ford explorer 2011</category><category>ford explorer cuv</category><category>ford explorer teaser</category><category>ford explorer teasers</category><category>ford explorer unibody</category><category>FordExplorer</category><category>FordExplorer2011</category><category>FordExplorerCuv</category><category>FordExplorerTeaser</category><category>FordExplorerTeasers</category><category>FordExplorerUnibody</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeremy Korzeniewski]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:01:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[OMG LOL: 2011 Ford Explorer to get Facebook reveal]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/09/omg-lol-2011-ford-explorer-to-get-facebook-reveal/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/09/omg-lol-2011-ford-explorer-to-get-facebook-reveal/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/09/omg-lol-2011-ford-explorer-to-get-facebook-reveal/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/marketing-advertising/" rel="tag">Marketing/Advertising</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img hspace="0" border="0" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/explorer630.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><small>2011 Ford Explorer Facebook teaser shots - Click above for image gallery</small></em></strong></div>
<br />
After all of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/25/spy-shots-2012-ford-explorer-caught-completely-disrobed/">spy shots</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/03/is-this-the-2012-ford-explorer/">renderings</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/07/video-2011-ford-explorer-partially-revealed-during-seatbelt-air/">off-chance video appearances</a> we've seen involving the <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/explorer">2011 Ford Explorer</a>, one would think that the new Blue Oval model would be getting its public reveal at an upcoming auto show. But instead, <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/ford">Ford</a> is taking a wholly different approach, launching the new Explorer on Facebook rather than at some sort of public or media event.<br />
<br />
Expect to see the new Explorer make its web debut sometime in July, with production beginning closer to the end of the year. 2011 is a big year for the Explorer, as it ditches its traditional SUV underpinnings for the sake of a unibody, car-based platform. Even so, it's earmarked to offer some actual off-road capability with Ford's new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/2011-ford-explorer-will-debut-new-four-mode-terrain-management-t/">terrain management system</a> on hand, and look for the automaker's all-new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/10/ford-all-but-confirms-four-cylinder-ecoboost-for-next-explorer/">2.0-liter EcoBoost four</a> to be offered under the hood along with a V6.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, check out the Explorer <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FordExplorer">Facebook page</a> for further updates, and hit the gallery below to see the new round of teaser shots.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers">2011 Ford Explorer Teasers</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/3461542258952160038180975160050228656865841n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/3128741290357660038180975160047602551349064n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/3128741290355160038180975160047602533750279n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/3128741290353660038180975160047602524338561n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-ford-explorer-teasers/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/3128741290356660038180975160047602545260881n_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FordExplorer">Ford Explorer Facebook</a> via <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-06-09-explorer09_ST_N.htm?csp=34tech&amp;utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+usatoday-TechTopStories+%28Tech+-+Top+Stories%29">USA Today</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/09/omg-lol-2011-ford-explorer-to-get-facebook-reveal/">OMG LOL: 2011 Ford Explorer to get Facebook reveal</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:27:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2010-06-09-explorer09_ST_N.htm?csp=34tech&amp;utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+usatoday-TechTopStories+%28Tech+-+Top+Stories%29>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href=http://www.facebook.com/FordExplorer>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/09/omg-lol-2011-ford-explorer-to-get-facebook-reveal/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19509285/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/09/omg-lol-2011-ford-explorer-to-get-facebook-reveal/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 ford explorer</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>2011FordExplorer</category><category>blue oval</category><category>BlueOval</category><category>ecoboost</category><category>EcoBoost 2.0L</category><category>Ecoboost2.0l</category><category>explorer</category><category>facebook</category><category>ford</category><category>Ford Explorer</category><category>FordExplorer</category><category>terrain management system</category><category>TerrainManagementSystem</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Steven J. Ewing]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:27:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #179 - We answer your queries]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/25/autoblog-podcast-179-we-answer-your-queries/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/25/autoblog-podcast-179-we-answer-your-queries/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/25/autoblog-podcast-179-we-answer-your-queries/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/podcasts/" rel="tag">Podcasts</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/" rel="tag">Hybrid</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/etc/" rel="tag">Etc.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/government-legal/" rel="tag">Government/Legal</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/plants-manufacturing/" rel="tag">Plants/Manufacturing</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/buick/" rel="tag">Buick</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/dodge/" rel="tag">Dodge</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gmc/" rel="tag">GMC</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/toyota/" rel="tag">Toyota</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tesla/" rel="tag">Tesla</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/electric/" rel="tag">Electric</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/25/autoblog-podcast-179-we-answer-your-queries/"><img width="630" vspace="4" hspace="0" height="142" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/autoblog-podcast-3.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!</small></strong></em></div>
<br />
We <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/qanda-for-this-weeks-autoblog-podcast/?utm_source=twitterfeed&amp;utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+weblogsinc%2Fautoblog+%28Autoblog%29">solicited your questions</a> for Episode #179 of the Autoblog Podcast, and then Chris, Sam, Dan, and Chris Paukert proceeded to answer them. News topics we cover are the Buick Regal GS, Toyota and Tesla getting together, Ford's next-generation Explorer Police SUV, and the push for increased fuel economy standards by 2025. <br />
<br />
<strong>Autoblog Podcast #179: We answer your queries</strong><br />
<br />
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<strong><br />
</strong><strong>In the Autoblog Garage:<br />
<br />
</strong><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/taurus+sho">Ford Taurus SHO</a><br />
<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/dakota">Dodge Dakota</a><br />
<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/terrain">GMC Terrain</a><br />
<br />
<strong>News:</strong><br />
<a href="http:// http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/08/breaking-ferrari-takes-the-wraps-off-the-new-599-gto-in-advance/"><br />
</a>
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/20/breaking-toyota-and-tesla-to-partner-on-ev-production-in-califo/">Toyota and Tesla to partner on EV production in California</a></li>
    <li><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/officially-official-buick-regal-gs-is-a-go/">Officially Official: Buick Regal GS is a go</a></li>
    <li><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/ford-said-to-be-preparing-explorer-based-pursuit-rated-suv-for-p/">Ford said to be preparing Explorer-based pursuit-rated SUV for police duty</a></li>
    <li><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/report-obama-kicks-off-drive-to-enact-tough-fuel-economy-standa/">Obama kicks off drive to enact tough fuel economy standards through 2025</a></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Hosts:</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/chris-shunk">Chris Shunk</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/chris-paukert">Chris Paukert</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/dan-roth">Dan Roth</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/sam-abuelsamid">Sam Abuelsamid</a><br />
<br />
<strong>R</strong><strong>untime:</strong> 1:18:02<br />
<br />
<strong><hr style="width: 630px;" />
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<em> </em>
<div id="refHTML"><em> </em></div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/25/autoblog-podcast-179-we-answer-your-queries/">Autoblog Podcast #179 - We answer your queries</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 25 May 2010 17:45:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/25/autoblog-podcast-179-we-answer-your-queries/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/25/autoblog-podcast-179-we-answer-your-queries/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19491298/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/25/autoblog-podcast-179-we-answer-your-queries/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 buick regal</category><category>2011 buick regal gs</category><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011BuickRegal</category><category>2011BuickRegalGs</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>autoblog</category><category>autoblog podcast</category><category>AutoblogPodcast</category><category>Buick Regal GS</category><category>buick regal turbo</category><category>BuickRegalGs</category><category>BuickRegalTurbo</category><category>featured</category><category>ford explorer police</category><category>ford police interceptor</category><category>FordExplorerPolice</category><category>FordPoliceInterceptor</category><category>fuel economy increase</category><category>fuel economy regulation</category><category>fuel economy regulations</category><category>fuel economy standards</category><category>FuelEconomyIncrease</category><category>FuelEconomyRegulation</category><category>FuelEconomyRegulations</category><category>FuelEconomyStandards</category><category>podcast</category><category>tesla toyota</category><category>tesla toyota partnership</category><category>TeslaToyota</category><category>TeslaToyotaPartnership</category><enclosure url="http://www.autoblog.com/podcasts/05-25-10-autoblog-E179.mp3" length="77" type="audio/mpeg"/><dc:creator><![CDATA[Dan Roth]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 25 May 2010 17:45:00 EST</pubDate><itunes:subtitle>Autoblog Podcast #179</itunes:subtitle><itunes:author>Autoblog</itunes:author><itunes:duration>01:22:15</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>autoblog podcast; toyota tesla; tesla; toyota; buick regal; ford explorer</itunes:keywords>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Ford said to be preparing Explorer-based pursuit-rated SUV for police fleets]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/ford-said-to-be-preparing-explorer-based-pursuit-rated-suv-for-p/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/ford-said-to-be-preparing-explorer-based-pursuit-rated-suv-for-p/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/ford-said-to-be-preparing-explorer-based-pursuit-rated-suv-for-p/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/government-legal/" rel="tag">Government/Legal</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/police-emergency/" rel="tag">Police/Emergency</a></p><a href="http://detnews.com/article/20100512/AUTO01/5120337/1148/Ford-holds-tight-to-police-market"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/fordexplorerpolice.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
When <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/12/police-interceptor-ford-unveiled/">Ford introduced its Police Interceptor</a> based on the Taurus, it said it had another vehicle in the works that "would share most parts with the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/taurus">Taurus</a> and be available in a utility version." Speculation was that it would be a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/flex">Flex</a> based on the component spec, but according to <em>The Detroit News</em>, it turns out the as-yet-unseen <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/explorer">2011 Ford Explorer</a> has got the nod. <br />
<br />
Ford won't say much about it at the moment as it hasn't been announced officially, but it is understood that the model will be pursuit-rated and pack all-wheel-drive. The latter distinction arguably puts it atop the category: there is a pursuit-rated <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/chevrolet/tahoe">Chevrolet Tahoe</a> that many police forces already use, but it's only two-wheel-drive. The four-wheel-drive Tahoe, also already employed by rural and urban forces, isn't pursuit-rated.<br />
<br />
Ford hasn't given a timeframe for when the police-spec unibody Explorer will be here, but in addition to its arrival giving units like K9 and SWAT a better mobile command post, it ought to help Ford's efforts to maintain its 70-percent share of the police market after the current Crown Victoria-based PI goes out to pasture. <em>Hat tip to Matthew</em>.<br />
<br />
[Source: <a href="http://detnews.com/article/20100512/AUTO01/5120337/1148/Ford-holds-tight-to-police-market">The Detroit News</a>]<br />
<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/ford-said-to-be-preparing-explorer-based-pursuit-rated-suv-for-p/">Ford said to be preparing Explorer-based pursuit-rated SUV for police fleets</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Mon, 24 May 2010 10:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://detnews.com/article/20100512/AUTO01/5120337/1148/Ford-holds-tight-to-police-market>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/ford-said-to-be-preparing-explorer-based-pursuit-rated-suv-for-p/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19487623/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/24/ford-said-to-be-preparing-explorer-based-pursuit-rated-suv-for-p/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 ford</category><category>2011 ford explorer</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>2011Ford</category><category>2011FordExplorer</category><category>blue oval</category><category>BlueOval</category><category>explorer</category><category>ford</category><category>ford explorer</category><category>ford police interceptor</category><category>FordExplorer</category><category>FordPoliceInterceptor</category><category>police</category><category>police car</category><category>police duty</category><category>police interceptor</category><category>police SUV</category><category>police truck</category><category>PoliceCar</category><category>PoliceDuty</category><category>PoliceInterceptor</category><category>PoliceSuv</category><category>PoliceTruck</category><category>pursuit rated</category><category>PursuitRated</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jonathon Ramsey]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 24 May 2010 10:01:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Land Rover to Ford: Good luck with Terrain Management - Just remember who invented it]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/21/land-rover-to-ford-good-luck-with-terrain-management-just-rem/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/21/land-rover-to-ford-good-luck-with-terrain-management-just-rem/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/21/land-rover-to-ford-good-luck-with-terrain-management-just-rem/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUV</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/" rel="tag">Technology</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/land+rover/" rel="tag">Land Rover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/luxury/" rel="tag">Luxury</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/off-road/" rel="tag">Off-Road</a></p><a href="http://blog.interactivelandrover.com/blog.do?id=824&amp;p=entry"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/01-explorer-630-1271345662.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Back in 2005 when <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/land-rover/">Land Rover</a> let loose the most comprehensive upgrade to its long-running mid-level Discovery line since its introduction in 1989, one of the most intriguing new bits of technology was the company's highly lauded Terrain Response system. In fact, so revolutionary was the design of this new 'ute and the technology that made it work so well that Land Rover completely ditched the Discovery name in the United States, giving its pride and joy the LR3 moniker.<br />
<br />
Fast forward to 2010. Recall that just last week <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford/">Ford</a> announced that its <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/25/spy-shots-2012-ford-explorer-caught-completely-disrobed/">next-gen Explorer for the 2011 model year</a> would feature a new technology that it's calling <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/2011-ford-explorer-will-debut-new-four-mode-terrain-management-t/">Terrain Management</a>. Sound familiar? It should - Land Rover is keen to point out that Jim Holland, the Chief Engineer, Explorer Platform Program, spent three years working at Land Rover in the UK as chief engineer for Range Rover. Coincidence? Hardly.<br />
<br />
Both Ford and Land Rover's systems work on a similar principle, that of allowing computers to take over from the driver in adverse conditions so that the vehicle can remain in control with the most available traction under any and all types of terrain. But - and according to Land Rover (not surprisingly), it's a very big BUT - LR's system has more settings, namely <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">'General' for everyday on-road driving; Grass/Gravel/Snow; Mud/Ruts; Sand and Rock Crawl.</span></span><br />
<br />
Further, Land Rover cites its air suspension, low-range gearing and Gradient Release Control as important features that the 2011 Ford Explorer is expected to lack. Oh, and Land Rover also claims that its 60 years of off-road experience cannot be dismissed. Are these important considerations? Well, naturally that would depend on your desired usage of the vehicle. In any case, Land Rover sums its case up as such:<br />
<blockquote>
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;"><em>We naturally wish our friends the best of luck with their new vehicle. We just want everyone to know where the system was invented. And that was right here at Land Rover.</em><br />
</span></span></div>
</blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px;">[Source: </span></span><a href="http://blog.interactivelandrover.com/blog.do?id=824&amp;p=entry">Land Rover</a>]<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/21/land-rover-to-ford-good-luck-with-terrain-management-just-rem/">Land Rover to Ford: Good luck with Terrain Management - Just remember who invented it</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 09:58:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/21/land-rover-to-ford-good-luck-with-terrain-management-just-rem/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19447181/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/21/land-rover-to-ford-good-luck-with-terrain-management-just-rem/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 ford explorer</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>2011FordExplorer</category><category>explorer</category><category>ford</category><category>ford explorer</category><category>ford explorer terrain management</category><category>FordExplorer</category><category>FordExplorerTerrainManagement</category><category>Land Rover</category><category>Land Rover Discovery</category><category>Land Rover LR3</category><category>Land Rover LR4</category><category>land rover terrain response</category><category>LandRover</category><category>LandRoverDiscovery</category><category>LandRoverLr3</category><category>LandRoverLr4</category><category>LandRoverTerrainResponse</category><category>terrain management</category><category>Terrain Response</category><category>TerrainManagement</category><category>TerrainResponse</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeremy Korzeniewski]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 21 Apr 2010 09:58:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Reader Spy: Next Ford Explorer with Lincoln-esque grille caught in LA?]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/17/reader-spy-next-ford-explorer-with-lincoln-esque-grille-caught/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/17/reader-spy-next-ford-explorer-with-lincoln-esque-grille-caught/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/17/reader-spy-next-ford-explorer-with-lincoln-esque-grille-caught/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUV</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/lincoln/" rel="tag">Lincoln</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-explorer-spy-shots/#5"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/04explorspyla-630op.jpg" alt="" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>Lincoln-grilled 2011 Ford Explorer spy shot - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
<br />
Granted, these aren't the clearest set of spy photos you're going to see this week. Regardless, they are interesting as they show what appears to be a next-gen <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/explorer">2011 Ford Explorer</a> with the familiar face of the current <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/lincoln">Lincoln</a> lineup grafted in place. Sure, it's not terribly surprising to see a luxurious Lincoln created from a more pedestrian <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/ford">Ford</a> product - it happens all the time - but why the Explorer?<br />
<br />
Consider that Lincoln already offers a pair of crossovers that are based on existing Ford models, namely the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/mkx">MKX</a> and the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/infiniti/mkt">MKT</a>. Consider too that the next Explorer will migrate to a smaller, car-based crossover platform... and one wonders just how many CUVs the Lincoln brand could support.<br />
<br />
So, just what is this camo'd vehicle we see roaming the streets? Could it be a new <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/navigator">Navigator</a> (or a revival of the ex-Explorer-based Aviator), just a cobbled together mule from spare parts that doesn't have any production intent whatsoever, or something new altogether? Beats us. Feel free to take a look at the pictures and judge for yourselves. <span style="font-style: italic;">Thanks for the images,</span><em> George!</em><br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-explorer-spy-shots">Ford Explorer spy shots</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-explorer-spy-shots/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/01explorspyla_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-explorer-spy-shots/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/02explorspyla_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-explorer-spy-shots/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/03explorspyla_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/ford-explorer-spy-shots/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/04explorspyla_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/17/reader-spy-next-ford-explorer-with-lincoln-esque-grille-caught/">Reader Spy: Next Ford Explorer with Lincoln-esque grille caught in LA?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/17/reader-spy-next-ford-explorer-with-lincoln-esque-grille-caught/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19400376/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/17/reader-spy-next-ford-explorer-with-lincoln-esque-grille-caught/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 ford explorer</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>2011FordExplorer</category><category>aviator</category><category>explorer</category><category>ford</category><category>Ford Explorer</category><category>ford explorer unibody</category><category>FordExplorer</category><category>FordExplorerUnibody</category><category>lincoln</category><category>lincoln aviator</category><category>Lincoln MKT</category><category>Lincoln MKX</category><category>lincoln navigator</category><category>LincolnAviator</category><category>LincolnMkt</category><category>LincolnMkx</category><category>LincolnNavigator</category><category>mkt</category><category>mkx</category><category>navigator</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeremy Korzeniewski]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 09:30:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Next-gen Ford Explorer will bring 1,200 new jobs to Chicago]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/report-new-ford-explorer-will-add-1-200-jobs-in-chicago/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/report-new-ford-explorer-will-add-1-200-jobs-in-chicago/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/report-new-ford-explorer-will-add-1-200-jobs-in-chicago/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUV</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hirings-firings/" rel="tag">Hirings/Firings/Layoffs</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/plants-manufacturing/" rel="tag">Plants/Manufacturing</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/"><img hspace="0" vspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/2011explorer630.jpg" alt="" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2011 Ford Explorer Spy Shots - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
<br />
In a bit of good news, always welcomed in today's battered automotive sector, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford/">Ford</a> has announced it will add 1,200 jobs to the Chicago area when it moves production of the all-new 2011 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/explorer">Ford Explorer</a> to its underutilized Illinois plant. The announcement is not a surprise - the plans have been in place for about a year - as the automaker has spent around $400 million retrofitting the plant in anticipation of the upcoming SUV's arrival. Experts say the Chicago plant will likely have to add a second shift to accommodate the Explorer production.<br />
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The Chicago plant has been making the redesigned <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/taurus">Ford Taurus</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/infiniti/mks">Lincoln MKS</a> since last year. The 2011 Ford Explorer, redesigned on a smaller and more fuel-efficient car unibody platform, is anticipated to arrive in dealers in August or September and will likely be the plant's highest-volume vehicle. <em>Thanks for the tip, Leonard!</em><br />
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[Source: Ford]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/report-new-ford-explorer-will-add-1-200-jobs-in-chicago/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Next-gen Ford Explorer will bring 1,200 new jobs to Chicago</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/report-new-ford-explorer-will-add-1-200-jobs-in-chicago/">Next-gen Ford Explorer will bring 1,200 new jobs to Chicago</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:57:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/report-new-ford-explorer-will-add-1-200-jobs-in-chicago/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19332206/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/report-new-ford-explorer-will-add-1-200-jobs-in-chicago/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011 Explorer</category><category>2011 Ford</category><category>2011 Ford Explorer</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>2011Ford</category><category>2011FordExplorer</category><category>Chicago</category><category>chicago illinois</category><category>ChicagoIllinois</category><category>explorer</category><category>factory</category><category>ford</category><category>ford explorer</category><category>FordExplorer</category><category>illinois</category><category>Manufacturing</category><category>Production</category><category>SUV</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Michael Harley]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:57:00 EST</pubDate>
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</item><item><title><![CDATA[Spy Shots: Unibody 2011 Ford Explorer cometh]]></title><link>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/spy-shots-unibody-2011-ford-explorer-cometh/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/spy-shots-unibody-2011-ford-explorer-cometh/</guid><comments>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/spy-shots-unibody-2011-ford-explorer-cometh/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/detroit-auto-show/" rel="tag">Detroit Auto Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUV</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/#2"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/01-2011-ford-explorer-spy-kgp-620op.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><small>2011 Ford Explorer - Click above for high-res gallery</small></strong></em></div>
<br />
A <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/2011FordExplorer/">2011 Ford Explorer</a> prototype has begun making runs around Michigan, and although the camo is thick, we're getting out first glimpse of what Ford has in store for its unibody 'ute.<br />
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Built on the same platform that underpins the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/FordTaurus/">Ford Taurus</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/LincolnMKS/">Lincoln MKS</a> and - more importantly - <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/ford/flex">Flex</a>, the all-new seven-seater Explorer will trade a bit of off-road prowess and towing capacity for a smoother ride and increased fuel efficiency. Under the hood, expect a choice of Ford's newest EcoBoost engines - the 3.5-liter V6 and a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/ford-announces-2-0-liter-ecoboost-and-dual-clutch-gearbox-for-20/">new 2.0-liter inline-four</a> - with the latter possibly mated to an all-new dual-clutch gearbox.<br />
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Although the camo obscures most of the design details, the A-pillars and greenhouse are reminiscent of the Flex, although the hatch appears canted slightly inward, with a set of <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/#10">LED taillamps</a> mounted in back. The overall shape is sure to take cues from the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/06/detroit-2008-ford-explorer-america-concept-says-bye-bye-to-body/">Explorer America concept</a> show at the 2008 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/DetroitAutoshow/">Detroit Auto Show</a>, and we plan on getting our first look at the production model early next year before <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/31/2011-ford-explorer-reportedly-to-be-built-in-chicago-on-taurus-x/">production begins at Ford's Louisville, Kentucky</a> plant in late 2010.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><strong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer">Spy Shots: 2011 Ford Explorer</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/01-2011-ford-explorer-spy-kgp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/02-2011-ford-explorer-spy-kgp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/03-2011-ford-explorer-spy-kgp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/04-2011-ford-explorer-spy-kgp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/05-2011-ford-explorer-spy-kgp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/spy-shots-unibody-2011-ford-explorer-cometh/">Spy Shots: Unibody 2011 Ford Explorer cometh</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblog</a> on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/spy-shots-unibody-2011-ford-explorer-cometh/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19194419/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/spy-shots-unibody-2011-ford-explorer-cometh/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>2011</category><category>2011 explorer</category><category>2011 ford explorer</category><category>2011Explorer</category><category>2011FordExplorer</category><category>explorer</category><category>ford</category><category>spy shots</category><category>spy shots 2011 ford explorer</category><category>SpyShots</category><category>SpyShots2011FordExplorer</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Damon Lavrinc]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST</pubDate>
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