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

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.

We spoke with Scott Makowski, Ford’s North American I-4 manager, and he notes that great efforts have been made to deliver a quiet and efficient engine, something that can be a particular challenge with direct-injection powerplants. Special measures to reduce noise and increase efficiency include isolated injectors to reduce ‘tick,’ polished tappets and lightweight, low friction pistons. Ford has not published what sort of weight-savings (if any) can be expected from this new, smaller engine versus the 3.5-liter model, but Makowski did note that the new engine is about 100 pounds lighter than the last Explorer’s less powerful 4.0-liter V6.

This 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine will only be available on front-drive models, and despite similar power figures and superior torque, towing capacity suffers, dropping from 5,000 pounds to just 2,000 pounds (both when properly equipped with the Class III towing package).

The 2012 Explorer 2.0 will roll into showrooms beginning late August carrying a $995 premium versus comparable V6 models. Is the EcoBoost’s improved fuel economy worth the cost premium and diminished tow rating? We’ll soon find out…

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Ford Explorer Sets New Standard for SUV Fuel Efficiency

• The completely reinvented Ford Explorer powered by EcoBoost™ delivers a class-

leading EPA rating of 28 mpg on the highway, besting Honda Pilot by more than 20

percent and Toyota Highlander by 12 percent

• The hot-selling Ford Explorer – the 2011 North American Truck of the Year –has

already doubled 2010 Explorer model year sales volume, with Ford seeing the

strongest customer preference for well-equipped, range-topping models

• EcoBoost engine technology combines turbocharging and direct fuel injection on

smaller engines to provide customers the power they want and fuel efficiency they

need

DEARBORN, Mich., July 28, 2011 – Ford’s hot-selling Explorer is now the most fuel-efficient

seven-passenger SUV on the market, delivering an EPA-certified 28 mpg on the highway with

an all-new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine. This is the first application of this advanced engine in

North America.

“Today’s SUV buyers place a high priority on miles per gallon, so Explorer has expanded its

portfolio of fuel-efficient engines with an all-new EcoBoost offering,” said Amy Marentic, Ford

group marketing manager.. “SUV buyers deserve efficiency with their capability, so Explorer

now offers best-in-class V6 and four-cylinder fuel efficiency.”

Building on Explorer’s current class-leading V6 fuel efficiency, the addition of EcoBoost power

and a 28 highway rating now puts Explorer over the top. On the highway, Explorer now beats

Honda Pilot and Jeep Grand Cherokee by five mpg, Chevrolet Traverse by four mpg and Toyota

Highlander by three mpg.

Delivering best-in class fuel economy in both V6 and EcoBoost variants, the full-size, three-row

Explorer with EcoBoost even delivers better highway fuel economy than the compact Subaru

Impreza (one mpg better), while matching the most-efficient gas-powered BMW 3-Series.

Now launching in the Explorer, this advanced EcoBoost four-cylinder engine provides the

optimum balance between fuel efficiency and responsive power, delivering 240 horsepower at

5,500 rpm and a generous 270 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm.

Ford’s new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine combines gasoline direct injection and turbocharging with

smaller overall displacement, delivering comparable power to a standard V6 engine while

delivering the fuel efficiency of a 4-cylinder. Ford holds more than 125 patents on its EcoBoost

engine technology.

EcoBoost is a global Ford strategy to provide affordable fuel efficiency for millions of drivers

while also delivering the power they desire EcoBoost will eventually be offered on 90 percent of

Ford nameplates by 2013.

The combination of superior fuel efficiency and ample responsiveness is enabled by direct

gasoline injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT). Efficiency is further

enhanced through employment of low-friction 5W-GF5 motor oil, a variable-displacement air

conditioning compressor, electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) and a unique 6F35 six-speed

automatic transmission developed to reduce friction and increase efficiency.

The Explorer with its standard V6 delivers up to 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway,

to lead the full-size V6 SUV segment in fuel economy. The Explorer with EcoBoost continues

this class-leading fuel economy momentum.

Explorer fuel efficiency also benefits from a smooth vehicle shape and careful aerodynamic

detailing like optimization of the front air dam and rear liftgate spoiler lip and lightweight

components such as an aluminum hood.

In the first six months of 2011, Explorer sales totaled 65,823 vehicles. This figure exceeds the

full-year 2010 total of 60,687 Explorers. More than half of early buyers of the redesigned 2011

Explorer cited fuel efficiency as a primary motivation in their purchase decision. Moreover, the

majority of customers are choosing better-equipped XLT and Limited series models.

The 2012 Explorer is assembled at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant.

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