Our spy photographers have today caught a 2011 Ford Explorer prototype with some of the camouflage peeled away and managed to get off a few frames before it was hastily recovered.
We’re now able to see the cutline of the rear door, the shape of the rear glass and the chrome door handles you can expect to see on all four doors. We can see the rear doors on the new Explorer are not nearly as squared-off as the current (US) model. The cutline of the rear door also seems to reinforce the rumours we’ve heard of the new Explorer having a C-pillar very similar to the recently discontinued Taurus X.
Code-named “U502,” this all-new Ford Explorer is in for a big change. While Ford’s iconic SUV has always ridden on a body-on-frame chassis, the 2011 model will switch to the D4 unibody platform. Ford’s D4 platform, a moderately updated version of the D3, currently underpins the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT.
Ford is hoping for a significant weight drop, and in turn, 20-25 per cent better fuel economy, by switching the Explorer to a unibody setup. The two powertrains we have confirmed for the Explorer are the 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ecoboost and the regular, naturally aspirted 3.5-litre V6. While the twin-turbo, Ecoboost V6 could still find its way into the Explorer sometime after launch, it may only be part of police of package.
Under the camouflage, we can see a typical Ford three-bar grille. You also get a look at an impressive pair of projector headlights and trick set of LED taillights. On the inside, expect three rows of seats, with the third row being jump seats.
One thing you should not expect with this new Explorer is a Mercury or Lincoln variant. We’ve also learned there will be no Sport Trac model. Watch for production to start in the second half of 2010 at Chicago’s Torrence Avenue assembly plant.
I wouldn’t touch one with a 10ft pole. No Firestone tyres anymore?
Do these ones still have the undocumented feature, the one where the car rolls onto its roof?
i don’t think it would be the cars fault , i would say that the driver is 99% to blame
davie no, you must mean the Hyundai Teracan or GM Captiva.
I agree Joe Walsh, I wouldn’t touch one of these hippie CUV’s either.
Would rather go for a Ford Expedition Long Wheelbase – now that’s a real man’s SUV.
None of these nancy boy trucks for me either. I’d want one with the biggest bull bar and as many 500 watt spotlights as I could fit on it. And a bloody great petrol engine too, none of this greenie diesel rubbish either. I reckon, if we’re going to have global warming, we should do it properly or not at all!
Remember, you don’t leave a carbon footprint if you drive everywhere.
wow, once again the truth is ignored and lies are used by some who comment on here.
Fact 1. The Tyres were the problem
Fact 2. In 9/10 cases the driver over reacted when one of the tyres did fall apart resulting in losing control of the vehicle and more often than not would roll over as ANY vehicle in this class and gae bracket would.
One of the leading US auto mags did testing with USED explorers, making the tyres lose pressure at around 100klm, the explorer proved to remain stable…
This is true, and I don’t usually back Adam up. So please get your facts straight guys before bagging this car.
You are both absolutely correct It was Car and Driver magazine and they rigged up an Explorer to dump the air in a tire instantly. Briefly, they concluded that it was not the car, but rather the driver’s reaction when the tyre delaminated that caused the accident. Try this link, it is still on their website.
http://www.caranddriver.com/fe.....ng_-column
Most people ignore the facts. The tires were proven to be the problem .That is why there is a law that all new suv’s and vans must have TPMS. Also any old SUV will roll easily. Toyota just put independant rear suspensions on the 2011 4runnrer. Thre are lots of 20 year old American pickup trucks on the road. All of the old Asian trucks have rusted away.
I think that the people who worry about vehicles rolling over, are the ones who need to give up their licenses. The vehicle doesn’t roll over on its own, its all driver error. SUV’s are vehicles with high a center of gravity, you can’t drive them like a car! Most people are doing too much while trying to drive anyway and are accidents waiting to happen. Roll over is the last thing that should on your mind. If you pay attention to the road and the vehicle you are driving, you won’t have to worry about it.