- 2011 Ford Explorer is revealed in its entirety.
- Explorer moves from body-on-frame to unibody construction.
- Engine options include a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6.
DEARBORN, Michigan — Ford is revealing its redesigned 2011 Explorer today on a dedicated Facebook page, nearly six months ahead of the vehicle's on-sale date this winter.
Many of the vehicle's details already have been released, including numerous teaser images that have been more ridiculous than revelatory.
Ford confirmed that the new car-based Explorer will offer a choice of two engines — a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 290 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque and a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder rated at 237 hp and 250 lb-ft. Both engines will be mated to six-speed automatic transmissions, and both powertrain teams will offer fuel economy that is at or near the top of the class.
The new Explorer can be equipped for the first time with front-wheel drive (it shares its basic architecture with the Ford Taurus sedan) or "intelligent" four-wheel drive. The latter system, available on the V6 Explorer, comes with Hill Descent Control as well as Ford's new shift-on-the-fly terrain management system that enables the driver to select from Snow, Sand, Mud and Normal modes.
Ford has fitted electric power-assisted steering and a new feature, Curve Control, which automatically applies the brakes in a turn if the entry speed is too high. An option is active park assist technology, which automatically steers the vehicle into a parking space while the driver applies throttle and brake.
The automaker is touting its new MyFord driver connect technology, which comes standard on all three Explorer trim levels — base, XLT and Limited.
Customers can order the new Explorer with three rows of flexible seating. The second row of seats offers the industry's first inflatable safety belts. Among the safety options are adaptive cruise control, collision warning and a blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert.
Other options include adjustable pedals, a rearview camera, remote start, push-button start, reverse sensing system and heated side mirrors with LED signal indicators.
Ford thinks it has solved one potential issue among owners of the truck-based Explorer — towing capacity. The 2011 model with V6 is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds. Towing capacity on the 2010 Explorer V6 4x2 is 3,500 pounds.
Inside Line says: Will enough new customers embrace the new design to offset the loss of Explorer loyalists? And will it make the Flex moot? — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
marksilber says:
06:14 PM, 08/20/2010
Ladies and Gentlemen:
You are now looking at a fuel capacity of 18 gallons - down from 22! Get me out of here, please!
marksilber says:
06:12 PM, 08/20/2010
I went to pre-order my new 2011 Ford Explorer, but walked out when I saw the gas tank shrunk from 22 gallons to 18 gallons. The Acadia retains its 22 gallon tank. Even the Subaru holds 18.5 gallons. Now why would loyal Explorer fans want to order a "fill-up" at our local stations and top off the tank at 18 gallons, when we're used to going for 22? Ford, if you don't fix this, I'm bolting to the Acadia or Subaru for 2011. Any my new Explorer is now a flimsy unibody? C'mon, please! Who did Ford allow to ruin a good thing?
iwant12 says:
04:15 PM, 07/26/2010
Wish they would've made the steering wheel a little thicker. Other than that, not too bad for a FWD.
agnh says:
10:30 AM, 07/26/2010
So, the 2WD is FWD, and now add in Curve Control, this is just one more vehicle that will be unable to do a donut. What is the world coming to.
lions208487 says:
07:31 AM, 07/26/2010
I will have to test drive one, but a 2.0 turbo in a SUV just doesn't make sense. Ford has a fantastic fuel efficient 6 cylinder with it's 3.7 liter which could be used as a base model, and a dual turbo 3.5 liter which could be used for the premier model. I love the way this truck/car looks, but I just don't see how it's going to stack up on performance.
As far as the Taurus X; come on scottyscooter, you usually post much more intelligent opinions then that.
zoomzoomn says:
07:23 AM, 07/26/2010
This actually is what the Explorer should have morphed into years ago. The most recent generation of the Explorer, while more refined than any previous generation, still suffered from poor fuel mileage. It looks like this vehicle largely addresses alot of the previous vehicle's shortcomings. The problem is did Ford wait too long to where the nameplate alone can pull people back to the "Explorer".
alman08 says:
07:22 AM, 07/26/2010
scottyscotter, I don't think the Taurus X had an 8" ground clearance though. but i did laugh at the X because they're asking for over $40k for it.
scottyscooter says:
06:24 AM, 07/26/2010
Anyone here remember the Ford Taurus X? You know, the CUV based off the Taurus that Ford only made for 2 years (2008 and 2009). The one with a 3.5 liter V6 that you could get FWD or AWD and was available with 3rd row seating?
Yeah, apparently that's the Explorer now.
nitephire says:
06:18 AM, 07/26/2010
Acutally there are several vehicle that tow 5000lbs that are car based. The Ridgeline, Pilot and all three Lamda based types will.
alman08 says:
10:34 PM, 07/25/2010
I don't tow and I don't know too much about towing, but is it safe for any unibody car-based SUV to tow 5000lbs?