Autoblog

Ford teases performance-oriented Explorer

Chris Shunk — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:28:00 EST

The redesigned Ford Explorer is already selling quite well, and it looks like the three-row crossover is about to add another variant to boost the bottom line a little more. Ford posted on its Facebook page a 26-second video that teases what looks to be a high-performance version of the Explorer.

The video show only a mesh grille, a beefy exhaust and what appears to be body-color wheels. There's not much else we can share about the brawny family hauler, but we think it's safe to speculate that an EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 with 350 or so horsepower lies in waiting under the hood of this Explorer Sport.

The good news about this tease is that we won't have to wait long to see the finished product. Ford tells us that the powerful CUV will be officially unveiled on the Ford Explorer Facebook page on March 28. Hit the jump to watch the video for yourself, and stay tuned for more information on this hi-po 'ute as we get it.

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Ford teases performance-oriented Explorer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford slashes Sync price by $100, coming to all models in three years

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, Technology, Ford, Infotainment

With Ford stepping up to become the first automaker to support the Safe Drivers Act of 2011, the Blue Oval is putting its money where its mouth is by dropping the price of its Sync system from $395 to $295.

The updated pricing will extend first to the 2012 Explorer and Edge, and will be available on all trim levels of the Edge, with the SEL, Limited and Sport models coming standard with the system and the SE now available with Sync as an option. The pricing will later extend to the 2013 Escape, Flex, Focus and Taurus.

In addition to the standard infotainment and navigation functions, Ford is touting the hands-free capabilities of Sync as a safety feature, along with 911 Assist and the Sync Services subscription plan which includes turn-by-turn directions, traffic reports and business searches, all of which can be performed without ever taking your eyes off the road.

Ford plans to make Sync and the new pricing strategy available on every North American model by 2014, and expect a host of upgrades and refinements to happen in the process. Hit the jump for the full details.

Continue reading Ford slashes Sync price by $100, coming to all models in three years

Ford slashes Sync price by $100, coming to all models in three years originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Ford Explorer 2.0-liter EcoBoost to net 20 mpg city, 28 highway

Chris Paukert — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Ford

Ford's reborn Explorer has been selling at a brisk clip since being introduced for the 2011 model year, with some 65,823 units finding homes through June. While that's a far cry from the line's salad days back in the '90s, that total already pips the previous generation's 2010 sales figures for the entire year. And that's with just one engine, the 3.5-liter V6.

The Explorer's naturally aspirated six is about to get a more frugal companion, with Ford finally announcing that it will deliver the promised 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost soon. The new model will arrive toting some handsome fuel economy numbers, too - 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway (23 combined).

Ford is quick to note that those EPA figures mean that the 240 horsepower (at 5,500 rpm) and 270 pound-feet (at 3,000 rpm) EcoBoost engine will garner best-in-class highway economy ratings for the Explorer - some 12 percent better than the Toyota Highlander and a whopping 20 percent better than the Honda Pilot (though the latter is slated to get a new six-speed gearbox and improved mpg for 2012). Like most newer turbo DI engines, the 2.0-liter will run happily on regular 87-octane fuel.

For comparison's sake, the standard TiVCT V6 generates more horsepower - 283 ponies at 6,500 rpm- but less torque (252 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm), with commensurately lower economy figures of 17 city and 25 hwy (20 combined). That means EcoBoost intenders can expect to save about three miles per gallon across the board. Click through the jump to continue reading.

Continue reading 2012 Ford Explorer 2.0-liter EcoBoost to net 20 mpg city, 28 highway

2012 Ford Explorer 2.0-liter EcoBoost to net 20 mpg city, 28 highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is this the 2012 Ford Explorer? *UPDATE

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:26:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Ford

We're going to go out on a limb and say... maybe. Judging by the recent teasers and previous spy shots, this single image of the 2012 Ford Explorer appears to be the real deal. And we like what we see.

Although the futuristic lines of the Explorer America Concept have been considerably toned down, the new crossover is notably more svelte than its predecessors. The exterior styling is more an amalgamation of current FoMoCo design cues, specifically the Edge-like headlamps and de-chromed tri-bar grille. The contouring on the front bumper is an interesting touch and the darkened A-pillars do their best wrap-around windshield impression.

If all goes according to plan, the all-new Explorer should arrive early next year, riding on a Flex/Taurus-based unibody platform with EcoBoost power being sent to either the front or all four wheels.

UPDATE: As some of you have pointed out in the comments, the Explorer rendering above looks remarkably similar to one of the spy shots in our gallery below. A little bit of digging returned this rendering on CarAdvice.com.au by artist Joshua Byrnes. Mystery solved.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Ford Explorer

[Source: TheMustangSource]

Is this the 2012 Ford Explorer? *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jun 2010 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford teases Explorer in pic of new crossover's chief engineer

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 14 May 2010 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Ford

Between 1995 and 2004, the Ford Explorer was the best-selling SUV in America. Of course, we all know what's taken place in the last few years, and both the Explorer and the SUV market it helped to found have taken a nosedive in both overall sales and perceived desirability. Ford looks to put its Explorer back on an upward trajectory for the 2012 model year with a brand new version, this time based on the same architecture that underpins the slow-selling Flex.

Will it work? Our crystal ball is currently on the fritz, but we can say with certainty (because it's obvious) that the next Explorer's success will be closely tied to its abilities. And that we won't know that until we get our grubby mitts on an example to test, which isn't likely to happen for another few months.

Until then, all we have are spy shots and this one lone teaser image that shows a portion of the next-gen Explorer's hood, which is a clamshell design similar to the latest Range Rover's. See for yourself (look to the right). That's Jim Holland, chief engineer for the redesigned Ford Explorer and formerly of Land Rover, where he worked in a similar capacity on the redesigned 2002 Range Rover.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Ford teases Explorer in pic of new crossover's chief engineer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 May 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Explorer will debut new four-mode terrain management tech [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, SUV, Technology, Videos, Ford, Off-Road

2011 Ford Explorer Terrain Management System - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has just announced that the next-generation Explorer will benefit from all-wheel drive coupled to a Land Rover-like terrain management system. According to Ford, the company's researchers found that Explorer owners were somewhat befuddled by when to use which four-wheel drive mode, and has since simplified the process significantly. Instead of having to decide whether two-high, four-high or four-low is best for the current trail conditions, owners will simply have to select from an easy to use console mounted knob.

Drivers simply pick between normal, mud, sand or snow modes and allow the Explorer's all-wheel drive setup to do the rest. The vehicle's software then uses various vehicle sensors to help provide the most traction possible. Each mode is also usable with a new hill-decent assist feature borrowed from the company's full-sized pickups. Push the button and the Explorer will automatically try to itself down any slope, no matter the condition.

Ford is hoping that by leaving the traditional transfer case behind, it can save a few pounds and up the model's efficiency at the same time. Coupled to the truck's new unibody construction (yes, the Explorer is going all crossover on us), Ford is estimating that the V6 model will benefit from a 25 percent increase in fuel-efficiency compared to current models. Hit the jump to see a video of the new all-wheel drive system in action.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer Terrain Management System

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2011 Ford Explorer will debut new four-mode terrain management tech [w/video]

2011 Ford Explorer will debut new four-mode terrain management tech [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2012 Ford Explorer caught completely disrobed

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Ford

2012 Ford Explorer spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's never good to be caught by the paparazzi in the buff. Unless, of course, that was your plan all along in order to get your C-list self some much-needed coverage in the various gossip rags. But we digress. Our intrepid spy photographers managed to snap off a giant series of photos of the hotly anticipated 2012 Ford Explorer completely uncovered, and that is a very, very good thing indeed.

For the first time ever, thanks to an unruly gust of wind, we get to see the first-ever unibody Explorer in all its glory. That looks to include a new take on the familiar in-your-face three-bar grille with newly perforated top and bottom rungs bisected by two thin chrome strips up front. Note, too, the mildly sculpted flanks that lead to the currently en vogue fastback-like sharply raked C-pillar. A closer look at the fascia reveals not-yet-completed projector headlamps ensconced in clear covers that angle well back into the fenders. Lookin' good so far, we'd say.

Though we don't quite get a good look at the rear fascia, we do get a clear shot underneath the car from the hind quarters. This is most definitely a front-wheel drive chassis, and though this particular mule isn't equipped with one, there will surely be an optional rear differential for all-wheel drive duty. See all the shots for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Ford Explorer

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: 2012 Ford Explorer caught completely disrobed originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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