2011 Ford Explorer available in two litre four cylinder to boost fuel economy

By Brett Davis | July 20th, 2010

Ford Motor Company announced yesterday that the 2011 Ford Explorer will be available with a two litre EcoBoost, four cylinder – the same engine proposed for the upcoming Ford Falcon. The company says the engine reduces fuel consumption by 30 percent compared to the current 4.0-litre V6 variant.

It’s all a part of Ford’s plan to reduce emissions and consumption with the big off-roader, diminishing the typical tradition of a big, thirsty V8 Explorer. The 2011 Explorer is said to use a Ford Taurus platform (family sedan) as well, further suggesting Ford’s decision to become more lean and frugal.

Mark Fields, head of Ford’s Americas unit, said in a recent statement,

“We believe we’ve hit the mark with the next-generation Explorer. It has the potential to change perceptions of what a modern SUV is all about.”

The Ford Explorer is America’s best selling four-wheel drive, but is it because of its large, masculine presence and specification? Ford’s 2011 Explorer will only be available with the EcoBoost four cylinder or a 3.5-litre V6, both aimed at improving economy, will this hinder sales?

Though, if the old 4.0-litre V6 consumed 16.8L/100km in the city and 11.7L/100km on the highway, then the new EcoBoost two litre would use 13L/100km in the city and 9L/100km on the highway. Not bad for a big wagon.

Both engines will be mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox when the car goes on sale in America later this year.

Although Ford has released a number of teaser images of the car that reveal very little detail, the company has announced the car will be unveiled to the public on July 26. We’ll keep you updated.

Andrew M

Its been spoken about ever since the ecoboost 2.0L was designed that it would make it into the Explorer.

Explorer was always going to be one of the first recipients
Sam

looks like a pathfinder
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1435885244 Yani Hendriawan

everysone seem to fail at making a engine fuel efficient
Nick K

Looks like this will replace the Terry after the latest heavily facelifted version finishes it’s model cycle. Also if Ford gets it’s styling right I see no reason why an AWD Taurus cannot replace the Falcon as well. Folks, the end is near for our local Fords.
john

Lets hope this little four cylinder has lots of boost on board and making lots of power as this is a big and heavy truck and could be a slug to do anything with the family on board.

matt

well 177kw for the 4 cylinder is the same as the outgoing V8, and i think the 4 clyinder has a touch more torque then the outgoing 4.0 litre V6…. combine that with the weight reductions of the new explorer and a new 6 speed auto and wa la… you have a 4 cylinder explorer that should out pace an older V6 one. so john and everyone else, stop mocking a car that isnt even in production yet and read all the facts.

Vibe

I think it would do well here and in Europe, but in America not as much perhaps. People buy F-Series trucks to say they can tow 4 tonnes, but they never do. I’d say it’s the same with having a massive SUV with an equally massive engine.
steven

Diesel would be better. Massive torque and great economy.

Petrols are not the best for this class of car.
AAA

This is the engine the Mustang II needed … if only it was released earlier
azza85

Why is never the backend redesigned? Those wrap around windows have been around for yonks right across the board in American 4WD designs.
Van Ariel Disease

The end is near for our local Fords? Hardly Nick……Falcon and Territory will be around for a long time yet. Why are people like you so keen to write off the Falcon and Territory? Why would you get rid of cars that are actually good and still make money? I didnt see GM here making a profit or Toyota making a profit……..who was the only car maker to make a profit last year……..FORD….of course.
TT

Van Ariel Disease, what you say is true, but that doesnt mean the people that make the decisions for Ford here in America wont kill local Aussie production (as it will boost detroit production and please the US government).

The Taurus is a nice car but its soft, nothing compared to the XR8 or XR6T.
Nick K

Van,

I actually like the Aussie Fords, all I’m saying is that the Ford product from Nth America is getting better to the point where the business case for local model renewal no longer makes sense. Ford globally also want to eliminate unique product… So the writing is on the wall, especially if Holden don’t do another local Commodore, likely given that unleaded could see $3 a litre within 5 years.
Robert

Square, will outdate easily quick, devoid of roundness or style = more of the same from Ford! Which means USA is still pulling strings on style theme for Aussie market which means one car theme adopted by Ford is run by Detroit boxy square massive grill designers! Good luck with that! Ford will need a massive amount of luck if it continues to adopt the path that it has gone down!
Robert

I am the other Robert. Strangely the same Ford does not allow diesels in its US SUV’s and its “4 Tonne towing” F 150
(what a fantasy that is) is only offered in North America. So much for its “Global” products. The current US Tauras build and driving qualities are far from impressive. A US sourced Falcon would have as much success as Chrysler US sourced products here. After the first 12 months huge discounts to get them off the lots. It would be the death of Ford here.
TheMenz

I think we need to consider where Falcon and Territory might fit into Ford’s One world plans before we simply ride them off.

Right now the Falcon and Territory stand on very shaky ground, however, both products could provide Ford’s global strategy with some essential products to fill some pretty big gaps in there international product portfolio.

This is theory but it might just work…

The Falcon and Territory cannot survive if there only market is Australia. The US can get away with market specific vehicles because of the sheer volumes they sell domestically, Australia can not.

So given the Middle East’s love large powerful rear wheel drive sedans and the fact that the Crown Victoria has been discontinued the opportunity finally might exist for LHD exports for Falcon. If the 2013 Falcon can be co- developed with the next Mustang finally the economies of scale will make sense.

As for Territory, if Ford can find an export market for Falcon the production volumes of the platform should be good enough to justify the relatively small volumes for Territory production. Of coarse if Ford were sensible they would consider co-developing the next territory and the Edge.

On another note the Explorer was a failure in the European market and with no proposed diesel option it would be unlikely to find any traction there.

Given Ford is going to put both Eco-Boost and Diesel into Territory you have to wonder if the opportunity isn’t there to put the Territory in the UK market (initially) and eventually into Europe if they develop a LHD variant.

I know all of this is a long shot but it makes sense and would truly make Ford Australia a valuable player in the Ford global strategy.

What do people think?

trippyfoo

I agree with everything that you’ve said.

It’s a shame that over the years Ford Us has never seen fit to leverage the local architecture into it’s overseas plan.
Ie, the Mustang / Falcon – that has always been an ideal fit, back in the 90′s when platforms were being investigated for shared use.

Possibly with the “Not built in the Us syndrome” –
I mean the Falcon / Fairlane – Imo , would’ve been an ideal replacement for the Crown police car, which is so hopelessly outclasses, Good on Holden for snaring itself some additional business.
Again, yes.. the Falcon would’ve been a good fit for the middle east as well , but that’s a whole bunch of politics as well.

Dave

There are some some cars that 4 cylinders dont belong with. i am imagine the 4 in the Explorer will be worked very hard, with a shorter than normal life.

GJS

You’ve hit the nail on the head & something that is discouraged outside the industry. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Eric

The owners will have to save their gained fuel money to buy a new more every 5 years.

A 2 liter engine wouldn’t last as long as a V6 or V8 in a large and heavy SUV especially if people take it off road or tow with it.

Also I would guess the resale on the 4cyl will be a lot lower for the reason I stated above.

Eric
paul

How could you get rid of the V8, who cares about the fuel.
The V8 Explorer Sounds awsome
I wish they would bring it and the F-Series back to Australia
http://TATA Robert

Paul, there is no V8 Explorer a turbo V6 will be the top option. The f series will not be re-introduced.
Joh

The problem with Ford US is that it has a major stigma of ‘not invented here’ syndrome. The Falcon and Territory, while capable vehicles, have not even had a look into outside Australia and New Zealand in recent years. Holden meanwhile have sent the Commodore and Statesman (a vehicle Ford Australia does not have an answer to now) worldwide (with different badging of course), due to having the foresight to develop it in LHD format, something the Falcon does not have.

I get the idea, with Ford US thinking at this time, that before long the Explorer will have replaced the Territory and Falcon wagon (yet another product Ford ran into the ground) and the Falcon (get ready to feel the “power” of 4-cylinders soon) with the FWD Taurus, likely either built in the US or maybe even Mexico or Thailand.

I hope this doesn’t occur, but I foresee it will.
Steve

I still own a 2002 V8 XLT Explorer (150,000km) and I swear by it. Fuel useage is a reasonable 14.2 L/100km city and as low as high 11′s in the country – even if towing boat of caravan. The old 289 (4.6 V8) is the best option for a wagon this size and the 4.0 Six is just adequate, and even returns higher fuel figures due to having to work that little bit harder.
Given the 2011 Explorer looks like a bloody Freelander, it may as well have the childish 2.0 or 3.5 Magna engine. I won’t be buying it, for sure, and am already into the process of importing a couple of 2009/2009 models for my work use – With the V8 of course (and they are sooo cheap ATM)
The better option, to save any credibility for the model would be to retain the V8, or even upscale to the 5.4 currently in the XR8 models, or even the new SC 5.0 Coyote, which should prove to be a powerful and economical engine, even for a 2.5 ton wagon, since the 4.6 already is.