Author Topic: 2011 Ford Explorer revealed (Read 2920 times)

Ice · « **on:** July 26, 2010, 12:55:15 am »

They have finally revealed the 2011 Ford Explorer. Took them a while... they have been teasing for weeks. I don't normally follow full sized SUVs but I was interested to see what might happen with this one.

Here's the only link I've seen so far:
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/26/2011-ford-explorer-unveiled-tries-crossing-over-on-road-to-redemption/

It looks good I have to say! Even the interior!

rrocket · « **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2010, 01:04:52 am »

Looks good....looks big. I want to see a pic side by side with the old one...

Erik · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2010, 01:46:58 am »

Very nice looking. Never figured I would say that about an Explorer.

G0dspd · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2010, 02:04:13 am »

Good looking CUV (?) and the interior looks very decent. I wonder how it will co-exist with its brother the Fusion. It's probably bigger and more truck like but how "hardcore" can a Flex/Taurus chassis be?

I can't put my finger on it but there's something a bit off with its proportions. Maybe it's the high beltline, the small windows or the overhang ... I don't know. The back seems somehow streched.

Shnak · « **Reply #4 on:** July 26, 2010, 07:37:12 am »

Quote from: G0dspd on July 26, 2010, 02:04:13 am

I can't put my finger on it but there's something a bit off with its proportions. Maybe it's the high beltline, the small windows or the overhang ... I don't know. The back seems somehow streched.

Tall doors/small windows and stretched behind. Kind of like the terribly disproportionate GMC Terrain.

carcrazy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 26, 2010, 08:53:21 am »

Looks good by the class' standards. It's big no doubt about it, but I guess this is what the buyers in this segment are after. The interior it's nicely laid out and seems to be of high quality and grade based on the pictures.
The approach with 2.0L EcoBoost it's interesting. I wonder what the take rate will be for that engine in this car. However, the 3.5L V6 is standard on all trims according to the PR. The power numbers look good too on the paper, but no info on the wight. No mighty 3.5L V6 EcoBoost option, at least at launch (maybe some special editions)?
My money is on this vehicle being once again the class leader in the US sales wise.
Another nice job from the new FoMoCo.

TopGun · « **Reply #6 on:** July 26, 2010, 10:13:21 am »

They apparently realize that they will not see the massive sales numbers of the '90s with this thing in a long, long time.

Expect to see them market it as an SUV though...not a cross-over. Adding an Exploder to the Flex and Edge would've jammed things up considerably.

carcrazy · « **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2010, 10:31:08 am »

I guess regardless how the marketers will call this vehicle, the buyers will cross shop it with Acadia, Traverse, Pilot, Highlander, new Jeep Grand Cherokee, new Durango.

mrthompson · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2010, 12:04:56 pm »

I like it!

Wolverine · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2010, 12:18:19 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on July 26, 2010, 01:04:52 am

Looks good....looks big. I want to see a pic side by side with the old one...

It's bigger than the old one in both width and length, shorter in height.

New Explorer: http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/explorer/2011/specifications/
Old Explorer: http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/explorer/specifications/

I liked it, everything looks better, outside and inside.

blizzard35 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2010, 03:42:41 pm »

This photo is now on the Ford of Canada website....IMO, it looks great!

http://www.ford.ca/app/fo/en/suvs_crossovers/explorer.do

CanuckG35 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 26, 2010, 04:21:27 pm »

Looks fantastic.......both inside and out!!

DKaz · « **Reply #12 on:** July 26, 2010, 05:01:04 pm »

This import "preferrer" approves.

rrocket · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2010, 05:48:15 pm »

Pricing was revealed today and the Eco-Boost 4 cylinder will cost MORE than the 50+HP more powerful standard V6.

WTF is Ford thinking?

inco · « **Reply #14 on:** July 26, 2010, 06:48:07 pm »

I was hoping this thing would be smaller. Three row seating - no thanks.

Ontariodriver · « **Reply #15 on:** July 26, 2010, 07:37:10 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on July 26, 2010, 05:48:15 pm

WTF is Ford thinking?

Suckers. Perhaps Ford figures with all this green washing going on people will pay more for better fuel economy over the standard more powerful V6.

Aren't people moving away from big SUV's. It looks good from the front. Odd from the side. That side back pillar you could hide a bus in there. The Interior looks pretty simple and not too fussy.

Ice · « **Reply #16 on:** July 26, 2010, 07:53:49 pm »

Quote from: Ontariodriver on July 26, 2010, 07:37:10 pm

Quote from: rrocket on July 26, 2010, 05:48:15 pm
WTF is Ford thinking?

Suckers. Perhaps Ford figures with all this green washing going on people will pay more for better fuel economy over the standard more powerful V6.

Aren't people moving away from big SUV's. It looks good from the front. Odd from the side. That side back pillar you could hide a bus in there. The Interior looks pretty simple and not too fussy.

The V6 may be more powerful on paper but everything I read about the EcoBoost is that the twin turbo offer very high power very low in the RPM range and that it stays there throughout the range. So the EcoBoost may be much more responsive to drive in practice.

I was a bit surprised to see the I4 EcoBoost on top but it is a pretty sophisticated engine. What it makes me question now is the EcoBoost being the engine of choice rather than a premium offering everywhere in the lineup. I had assumed that the next Fusion, for example, would be offered with a 2.0L EcoBoost in the base model. Now I wonder if it wont. Still a year or more away so I guess a lot can change.

I think Ford did a pretty good thing with this new Explorer. There is still a market for these kinds of vehicles... they will never be as popular as before but I see my share of new Highlanders and other large people movers so people will buy. Especially given how good this one appears to be on the outset.

saint_satan · « **Reply #17 on:** July 26, 2010, 10:01:04 pm »

I think its pretty decent - I'd like to sense of its size. I can't help but notice that yet another "real" SUV has been replaced with a CUV. I guess that's what the market wants...

EV Dan · « **Reply #18 on:** July 26, 2010, 10:02:14 pm »

Quote from: IceAndFire on July 26, 2010, 07:53:49 pm

Quote from: Ontariodriver on July 26, 2010, 07:37:10 pm
Quote from: rrocket on July 26, 2010, 05:48:15 pm
WTF is Ford thinking?

Suckers. Perhaps Ford figures with all this green washing going on people will pay more for better fuel economy over the standard more powerful V6.

Aren't people moving away from big SUV's. It looks good from the front. Odd from the side. That side back pillar you could hide a bus in there. The Interior looks pretty simple and not too fussy.
The V6 may be more powerful on paper but everything I read about the EcoBoost is that the twin turbo offer very high power very low in the RPM range and that it stays there throughout the range. So the EcoBoost may be much more responsive to drive in practice.

I was a bit surprised to see the I4 EcoBoost on top but it is a pretty sophisticated engine. What it makes me question now is the EcoBoost being the engine of choice rather than a premium offering everywhere in the lineup. I had assumed that the next Fusion, for example, would be offered with a 2.0L EcoBoost in the base model. Now I wonder if it wont. Still a year or more away so I guess a lot can change.

I think Ford did a pretty good thing with this new Explorer. There is still a market for these kinds of vehicles... they will never be as popular as before but I see my share of new Highlanders and other large people movers so people will buy. Especially given how good this one appears to be on the outset.

Yes. I dont think they will sell many I4s in US. In Canada maybe, if it works on regular. Still I agree the 2.0 should have been the base and the upgrade 3.7 V6 from the new Stang.
Apart from that I like the styling overall, maybe just not crazy about the tail lights.

Ontariodriver · « **Reply #19 on:** July 27, 2010, 04:26:42 pm »

Quote from: IceAndFire on July 26, 2010, 07:53:49 pm

I was a bit surprised to see the I4 EcoBoost on top but it is a pretty sophisticated engine. What it makes me question now is the EcoBoost being the engine of choice rather than a premium offering everywhere in the lineup. I had assumed that the next Fusion, for example, would be offered with a 2.0L EcoBoost in the base model. Now I wonder if it wont. Still a year or more away so I guess a lot can change.

Also a turbo one from what I've read. It also supposed to be 100 pounds lighter than the older model and according ford will drink about the same as a Camry.