Ford Explorer

Breaking with industry norms, the Ford Explorer ST and Ford Explorer Hybrid have been unveiled just days after the standard models were given their debuts in the USA. Under the bonnet is a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 expected to deliver around 298kW of power and 563Nm of torque. This looks to be the same twin-turbo engine standard on the Lincoln Aviator sibling, although the ST does boast more torque.

The Lincoln Aviator has been unveiled at the 2018 Los Angeles motor show. Although the new three-row crossover is unlikely to ever show up on Australian shores, it rides on the same rear- and all-wheel drive platform as the next-generation Ford Explorer. The top-spec Aviator Grand Touring model will be fitted with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 at its core. Lincoln says this powertrain will have around 335kW of power and 815Nm of torque.

A total of 402,462 Ford Transit vans have been recalled in North America over concerns the drive shaft coupling could crack - though Australian versions are not affected. According to reports, Transits that have racked up mileage could be susceptible to the fault, which can cause several major problems like loss of power, or the vehicle could roll away when parked without the handbrake engaged.

Toyota Motor Corp has dominated the 2012 US Consumer Reports new-vehicle reliability index while Detroit-based manufacturer Ford Motor Co has ungraciously slumped to the bottom of the rankings. Scion, Toyota and Lexus filled the podium of the independent organisation's 2012 Car Reliability Survey directly ahead of Mazda, Subaru, Honda and Acura in a result that saw Japanese manufacturers take out the top seven places in Consumer Reports’ rankings.

Ford Australia has found nothing wrong with the Ford Explorer that went on an uncontrolled high-speed dash along Melbourne’s Eastern Freeway last December. The 22-year-old driver, Chase Weir, feared for his life when his 2002-model SUV reportedly became stuck on cruise control at 80km/h for more than 50km. Ford spokeswoman, Sinead McAlary, said Ford has been examining Mr Weir’s Explorer for a week and has found no faults in it, with further investigations still to be carried out.