2011 Ford Explorer images released

By Brett Davis | July 26th, 2010

Here it is, finally. The highly-anticipated 2011 Ford Explorer has been unveiled today across America.

The four-wheel drive features a 3.5-litre V6 developing 216kW and 345Nm of torque.

The other, more interesting, engine available is the EcoBoost 2.0-litre, said to be used in the upcoming Ford Falcon. It’s a 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder and it develops 177kW and 338.5Nm of torque, only 7Nm less than the 3.5-litre V6.

The interior features trim that is said be made of 25 percent recycled material, with soy-bean softened seats, so it’s all about being ‘green’.

The new car does show a time of change for the Americans though, with the smaller capacity engines removing the big V8 stereotype. And what also comes with it is a reduction in weight and a reduction in weight it can tow.

The new model can tow 2267kg, 907kg less than the previous model. The 2.0-litre does come as a surprise and punters are saying this is not adequate enough for the big wagon. Will the Americans be annoyed by this or is the big V8 unnecessary, carrying around weight that is not needed?

Either way, that EcoBoost engine looks very promising indeed… oh, and the new shape Explorer looks good too.

For more information on 2011 Ford Explorer fuel consumption, click here.

goferit

Would prefer that over the territory.

Damian

I wonder if they still have a tendency to roll-over?

Alex

You’ll have to talk to Firestone about that, or did they go broke because it was their problem not Fords.

http://www.facebook.com/sammo.8191 Sam Moss

Me too, I think the next gen Territory should take some styling cues for this, it looks pretty awesome!

Nobody

Looks really good but why is Ford obsessed with Aluminium for its interiors. This is another better looking car after 2011 Jeep GC. Can we get the diesel engine specs please?

PS : Need to thank CA for providing the specs in KW, NM and Kgs which are easy to understand.
Baddass

Looks good. I’d ask to those punters who complain the the towing capacity is not enough, when would you really miss the extra 907kg towing capacity? It is prefectly adequate for almost all jobs. If you want more than that, I think it’s an F650 Super Duty you need.

Andrew M

I was about to say that, those that are serious tow’rs go the F truck anyway
JEKYL & HYDE

the grey nomad’s of australia will disagree with you.it should be 3.0v6 diesel with 3ton tow.full stop…

Golfschwein

Quite like it…

Reckless1

Of course you do – it comes with an engine just like a Golf R, Golf GTI, or a Passat 147, or a Tiguan 147.

Just that the Ford edition of a 2.0 DI turbo has a bit less grunt than the VW R engine, and the Exploder weighs about 1000kg more, should go like a real slug….

If the potential Explorer buyer needs to tow, he’ll have to buy the much better Touareg to do the job……

Reckless1

Hahahaha, it appears the Ford Fanbois cannot handle the truth.

Ford is playing belated catchup to VAG with a 2.0l Turbo that can’t quite match the units they are using as a model.

good guy

I have common sense lol jk i have a ford explorer

Reckless1

There’s something terribly wrong with that statement.

Macca

That is very nice. Interior nicely done. S’pose you could always make the V6 sound like similar to an 8 with a decent exhaust.

JJ

i have NEVER heard a decent sounding V6.

they all seem to sound like dying cows, ESPECIALLY commodores!

jbot

Not having a V8 option is really going to hurt sales I think. I’ve lived over there the last couple of years and they still love their big-engined large SUVs and “trucks”. Fuel prices are still fairly low (US$2.50/gallon = AU$0.75/L) over there so that isn’t really such a big deal for Americans in general. Not sure if Ford US has made the right decision here.

jbot

That interior does look great though. It is a massive improvement over the previous model.

lolo

hmmmm
Andrew M

Slap a diesel in it, and bring it back to OZ.

I never thought a Yank Tank could look so good.

Ill put some dollars down that the New ranger will share a lot of styling cues with this, including interior.

Very bold move, I hope it pays off……
Here in OZ it would, lets hope the Yanks think so

sean

i would put my money on it too mate. Alan Mullaly all but confirmed a new ranger in an interview about the new explorer. it may or may not be Aussie T6 because it was more or less a slip of the tongue. Lets hope the americans pick it up (subtle pun lol) and are impressed by aussie engineering so they can give us GRWD.

john

“It’s a 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder and it develops 177kW and 338.5Nm of torque.”

I wonder what the revs are for these.

Andrew M

Low and for a broad band

Simon

That V6 in a Mondeo would be a hoot. That V6 in an AWD Mondeo would be awesome. Shame it’s only a FWD platform.
Shak

Im sorry For, but this looks much more appealing than our home grown territory.

Andrew M

Wait till the new Territory is out, then comment.

This looks a little fresher then the Territory thats for sure, but the top spec Terry doesnt exactlly look bad either

Shak

Sorry i meant to say the interior. Ford have said it will closely mirror the FG Falcon interior, and im not a fan of that, While quality may be high, i dont like the design and ergonomics of all those tiny buttons. I much prefer this yank Tanks interior.

Andrew M

if you think the FG’s ergonomics are poor, then you have obviously never driven one.
FG’s ergonomics are spot on and placed high enough so if you have to look at them, the road can still be kept in view.

If its tiny buttons you dont like, then what about all the tiny buttons plastered over the steering wheel, or the spread of them from one side of the centre screen to the other.

Hey, im not dissing this interior, it looks great, but your argument on ergonomics is dead in the water

matt

*drool, as they say, haha, just seen pics on another site, and thankfully CA has an article up now, the interior for a yank SUV is unreal! stop whinging about the 4 cylinder people, it has more power and i THINK torque then the outgoing 4.0 litre V6, it will move along just fine.

any plans on the 3.5 ecoboost going into it?

Carter3310

I agree, this is much more appealing than the Territory in everyway. I don’t think there’s any need for another Territory. The Territory has had a good run but I think it’s time for Ford to let the car retire with a bit of dignity. This Explorer will make a good replacement.

Andrew M

Territory isnt redundant because is is the only affordable SUV that can actually handle

ox

wow I’m realy impressed with the fords comming out of Detroit these days. First the new Taurus & now this.
Would be interesting to do a direct comparison of Taurus/Explorer v’s Falcon/Territory…. maybe it realy is time to consolidate these products & it would make financial sense for FoMoCO.
Unfortunatley it seems inevitable so rebadged Taurus/Explorers with “tuned for our local market” suspension wouldn’t be a bad way to go.
You can call em dinosaurs, bogans, call em whatever but nothing will ever truly beat a localy developed V8 Falcon imo.

http://jensen My Cars Called T-Rex

The Aussies would win.Long Live Big,Powerful,Thirsty,Heavy,Noisey,Smokey,Clunky,Chunky Vvvvvvvvvvvvvvv888888888888888′s

Jim

What a fantastic looking truck, ford have really nailed the front end. if it had a TDV6 with the zf auto in it, it would be an absolute winner in australia.

matt

being a FWD platform…. i dont think the ZF will see light of day in this car, and being mostly for america i dont think diesel will come in any time soon either. but we can all dream hehe, god i love this car

birdie

great idea with the backlights in the cupholders and doorhandles [bottompic] great design ford , well done , i love it
xnov

itll buy in oz ??
gipb

Smart move Ford! The new Explorer looks great and should compete very well in the cross-over segment it’s aimed at.
johnq

Horrible! Do not like it @ all.
I prefer my 05 over this ugly design.
Goodfa

It looks like Ford will be on a winner with the 2.0l Ecoboost in the Falcon.
Going by these numbers it will be probably be slightly quicker than a 3.0 DI Commodore much more frugal and cheaper rego costs.
I hope Holden has something up its sleeve.
http://TATA Robert

Basically the Territory replaced the very unreliable Explorer when it was last sold here, or “Exploder” as it was dubbed. The US sourced Tauras was worse. Going by Australian reports of the new Mustang, it goes ok, but it’s ride and handling leaves a lot to be desired.
michal

fit in every way . this is the best car for every one
michal

I THINK THIS WILL BE GOING TO ROCK OVER THE WORLD.Cars For Sale
CS

Looks to me like a typical oversized and overstyled US tank. No good as a 4wd – front and rear overhang is huge, along with a pretty average V6 – 345nm torque – would be a slug, and towing it would be an almost stationary slug. Just another piece of US crap..

birdie

WHAT EVER !!!

PROJET – L

Good news for the Ecoboost Falcon if this is the turbo engine it will get.
Project power curve for this “Exploder” version is apparently

“237HP at 5,500 rpm and 250 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,700 rpm.”

Which is very tasty.
Can see a new generation of P platers in 10 years turning the boost up on their Falcons and drifting them.

God help us.

nickdl

No they won’t be able to drive it – twin-turbo.

It’s kind of strange that P-platers will be able to drive more powerful I6 Falcons but not the EcoBoost. Yes you can turn up the boost but still it seems a bit strange.
JJ

they arent drifting xr6 turbos yet, so i dont think we have too much to worry about here.

nissans are the king of the drift realm

john

The CEO of ford in america reveled it to the general public this morning on one of the early morning american news shows, and said if you want the 4 cylinder motor it will cost you more as it is the premium motor.

So much for saving the planet and all thoughts on it.

Andrew M

I still doubt it will be the same sort of premium others charge for “green” models

nickdl

Looks really nice.

Not sure why Ford didn’t keep selling the V8 alongside the existing engines to cater for the less intelligent American customers…
Jabba the Hut

I love the interior. Top work there .I can’t say the same for some aspects of the exterior though, especially the grill (too American). The rear seems to hang well back from the wheels too looking at the side profile which isn’t ideal for handling.

At least it is outside the box on design rather than the boring offerings that usually sit in this market. The D40 navara is positively dated against this vehicle. As is/ are the Colorado/ D-max.