Autoblog

Ford Explorer reaches 30,000 Facebook fans, celebrates with grille shot

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:28:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer grille - Click above for teaser gallery

Earlier today, Ford hit its 30,000 fan for the 2011 Explorer Facebook page, so the automaker could give away one all-new unibody 'ute to a lucky follower. To celebrate meeting its goal, Ford has posted yet another teaser, showing off the new Explorer's grille. But enough with the teasers. When can we actually see it in person? Glad you asked...

This coming Monday, Ford will reveal the Explorer at live events across the U.S., including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and at the "glass house" in Dearborn, MI. At a preview of the Explorer in Dearborn earlier this week, marketing VP Jim Farley discussed how Ford plans to drum up interested in the Explorer, and based on the success of last year's Fiesta Movement social media campaign, the Explorer will be omnipresent online and elsewhere in the lead-up to the on-sale date late this year.

According to Farley, the Fiesta campaign required only 10 percent of what a typical new vehicle launch costs, but it overwhelmingly succeeded in establishing name recognition for the small car well ahead of its arrival in showrooms. Given that America already knows the Explorer, Ford will be focusing on how it's "reinvented the SUV for the 21st century." We can't tell you more at the moment, but look forward to full details this Monday 12:01 AM EDT.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer Teasers

[Source: Ford]

Ford Explorer reaches 30,000 Facebook fans, celebrates with grille shot originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Explorer teasers continue with headlight peek

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Crossover, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer teaser shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford released a new teaser image of the 2011 Explorer today, adding to the earlier set of almost-visible shots that the automaker debuted on Facebook. This new image of the front headlamp is exactly what we've seen before in barely camouflaged spy shots, and at this point, Ford might as well just take the wraps off of the whole thing - we've pretty much seen all there is to see.

Remember, Ford will be unveiling the 2011 Explorer on its Facebook page, and if enough people show their support, the automaker will consider giving away an all-new Explorer to one lucky fan. The Explorer's in-the-metal debut is expected to happen in Manhattan on July 26. For now, we'll just enjoy the striptease and start putting the pieces together one by one.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer Teasers

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2012 Ford Explorer

[Source: Ford Explorer Facebook]

2011 Ford Explorer teasers continue with headlight peek originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Deep Dive: Curve Control on the 2011 Ford Explorer [w/video]

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Safety, Technology, Crossover, Ford, Deep Dive

Curve Control on the 2011 Ford Explorer - Click above for high-res image gallery

When the new 2011 Explorer goes on sale later this year, Ford plans to highlight the new unibody 'ute's safety and fuel efficiency. The Explorer will be exclusively powered by four- and six-cylinder EcoBoost engines, which are expected to increase efficiency by 20-25 percent, while delivering the power consumers crave. Expect more drivetrain details to be forthcoming, but before then, Ford invited us out to its Dearborn proving grounds to see what it has in store on the safety front.

Ford confirmed last fall that the Explorer would be the first vehicle to get its new inflatable rear seat-belts, but the latest - and arguably more interesting - feature on the Explorer is dubbed "Curve Control." The system is a software enhancement built on top of the existing roll stability control (RSC) and electronic stability control (ESC) systems, and we had a chance to experience it first hand. Make the jump to find out more.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer curve control demonstration

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Deep Dive: Curve Control on the 2011 Ford Explorer [w/video]

Deep Dive: Curve Control on the 2011 Ford Explorer [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Explorer teasing continues - My, what big pillars you have

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer Facebook teaser shots - Click above for image gallery

The slow burn of Ford Explorer Facebook teasers 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.

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).

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.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer Teasers

[Source: Ford Explorer Facebook]

2011 Ford Explorer teasing continues - My, what big pillars you have originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: 2011 Ford Explorer partially revealed during seatbelt airbag demo?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Safety, Videos, Crossover, Ford

2011 Ford Explorer, is that you? - Click above to watch the video after the break

Sometimes, we have to wonder if automakers just like toying with the emotions of those of us who follow their comings and goings on a daily basis. How else can we explain how Ford would show up to the Shoreline Community College Automotive Center in Seattle with what appears to be the back half of a 2011 Ford Explorer in tow?

It's not really possible to know exactly what it is that we're gazing at in the video pasted after the break, but it sure does appear to match what we're expecting to see from the first unit-construction Explorer from the Blue Oval Boys. Nowhere else is that more evident than with the sloping C-pillar, which looks like a dead ringer for the one we saw blowing in the wind on a car hauler back in March.

No matter what it is that we're seeing in this video, the rear seatbelt airbag technology on display is definitely coming to a dealership near you, first on the - you guessed it - 2011 Ford Explorer. Enough talking already... check out the video for yourself after the break.

[Source: Driven Car Reviews]

Continue reading Video: 2011 Ford Explorer partially revealed during seatbelt airbag demo?

Video: 2011 Ford Explorer partially revealed during seatbelt airbag demo? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jun 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Freep: Ford committed to building Flex, even with new Explorer in the wings

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Ford

2010 Ford Flex Ecoboost - Click above for high-res image gallery

Despite its many functional charms, the U.S. car market has simply never warmed up to the Ford Flex in the two years it has been on sale. Nonetheless, Ford will persevere with the big wagon even after the all-new Explorer goes on sale later this year. The Flex and Explorer will share much of their underpinnings but will be marketed to different audiences.

While the Flex is promoted as a crossover, the Explorer will apparently be targeted at its traditional SUV audience. The styling of the Explorer will be more in keeping with the high-riding SUV aesthetic than the tall station wagon Flex. The Flex may not have the kind of sales volume that Ford had hoped for, but those that are being sold are going at higher transaction prices with lots of options so the automaker is likely making money on the vehicle.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Ford Flex EcoBoost

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Freep: Ford committed to building Flex, even with new Explorer in the wings originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 May 2010 13:31:00 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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Spy Shots: Next-gen unibody Ford Explorer mules caught

John Neff — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:41:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of next-gen unibody Explorer spy shots

Our spy photographers have noticed a test mule running around Detroit, and we agree with their guess that it's the upcoming reinvention of the Ford Explorer on a unibody platform. Since its inception, the Explorer has been a true SUV built on a sturdy truck frame, but the market has turned its back on traditional SUVs, so Ford came up with the Explorer America concept that debuted at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The concept previews the vehicle you see here, though current mules for the production version are cobbled together with bits of Taurus X and Flex body panels.

The new Explorer will be ditching its truckish roots and climbing onboard a new car-based platform that's shared with the Flex. The new unibody structure will effectively make the next Explorer a large CUV rather than an SUV. The mules are wearing a Flex front end with a modified lower grille to allow more cooling air to reach the engine, but after the more steeply raked A-pillar we find the body of a Ford Taurus X. Our spies note that the wheelbase of these mules appears to be shorter than that of the Flex, though we expect the new Explorer to sport a third row of seats regardless. The mules also appear to be wider than a Taurus X or Flex, which is fitting with the SUV image the new Explorer must project. Click the gallery below for more spy shots of the next-gen Explorer, that should be arriving sometime in 2010.

Gallery: Ford Explorer Unibody - spy shots

[Source: KGP Photography]

Spy Shots: Next-gen unibody Ford Explorer mules caught originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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