| It is impossible to accurately convey what the | | | | Ford is mum about its release date. |
| next generation Ford Explorer will look like without | | | | We do know that the base engine will be a 2.0L |
| showing you some pictures of this car based | | | | I4, which sounds woefully underpowered for a 7 |
| sport utility vehicle which is scheduled to go into | | | | 8 passenger seating model. But, that engine |
| production later this year. The Explorer name is | | | | incorporates EcoBoost technology, which means |
| familiar to mostly everyone, but this model is | | | | that it uses direct injection and turbochargers to |
| different: it will sit on a car chassis for the first | | | | enhance performance while maximizing fuel |
| time, eschewing the truck platform that has | | | | economy. At least one V6 engine will also be |
| always powered this particular model. | | | | offered, but we don't know how the two or |
| Dealer Show | | | | more engine choices compare when it comes to |
| Ford recently had a "show and tell" with a select | | | | performance and fuel economy. |
| group of dealers to let them see a prototype of | | | | Taurus Platform |
| the new model. The best way to describe the | | | | The Explorer will ride on the same platform |
| Explorer is to Google photos of the 2011 Ford | | | | powering the Ford Taurus which means that it will |
| Edge. Then, think of a stretched version of the | | | | be available in front and all wheel drive versions. |
| Edge as representing the Explorer. Not an | | | | The Explorer is certainly rounder than the boxy |
| absolute comparison, but the closest we'll get until | | | | Flex and is rounder still than the curvy Edge. The |
| Ford releases photos of the new model later this | | | | challenge facing Ford is to continue to make a |
| year. | | | | case for having five lines of sport utility vehicles |
| But there are some things we know about the | | | | for sale, some of which are car based on some |
| next generation Explorer as well as a few things | | | | of which ride on truck platforms. |
| we don't know. First, let's examine what we don't | | | | For 2011, the car based platforms include the |
| know. | | | | Escape, Edge, Flex and Explorer while the |
| Model Year | | | | Expedition is the last of the truck derived SUVs. |
| Though production isn't slated to start until late | | | | Expect the Expedition to be discontinued within |
| this year, Ford isn't sure whether the Explorer will | | | | the next year or two as demand for vehicles of |
| be sold as a 2011 or 2012 model. If it is made | | | | its kind remains weak. |
| available for sale before January 1, then it will be a | | | | Will a SportTrac version of the Ford Explorer be |
| 2011 model. However, if Ford choose to wait until | | | | offered? That doesn't appear to be the case, |
| January to release the Explorer then the | | | | though that question may can only be answered |
| automaker has the option of calling it a 2012 | | | | when Ford officially unveils the new Explorer later |
| model. Dealers want the Explorer sooner, but | | | | this year. |