Spy Photos: 2011 Ford Explorer Reveals a Little More

"So we will have the Edge, the new Explorer and the Flex? "

So Ford will have 3 vehicles that will fight each other for sales? Dumb.

Perhaps, they're replacing the Edge?

"So Ford will have 3 vehicles that will fight each other for sales? Dumb."

Ummm I think Ford knows what they are doing.....they have done pretty well the past few years.

Look at all of the similar models that Toyota has....and GM/GMC......oh and Mercedes with all of the G class and M class and BS class.......look at Mazda with the CX9/7....notice a pattern?

rsholand: I don't think they will canibalize themselves much, although I will say they should retain the option of a transfer case with low range.

The Edge is the driver's SUV, the Flex is the family hauler that provides an alternative to a minivan. The Explorer splits the difference, more utility than sport, but slightly less family oriented as the Flex.

If they had a 'Sportsman' option with slightly more ground clearance and a low range transfer case the Explorer would remain a nice option for the hunting, fishing and light camping crowd. Without one they will be conceding this market to Jeep, Toyota and Nissan.

"Ford is looking to get the Explorer back in the game by recasting it as a modern crossover instead of a more traditional SUV. That means it will ditch its off-road ability and towing capacity in favor of ride quality and interior packaging. " <- this statement was not made by Ford, so it's just another guess by this media outlet. From the pics, I like it so far.

chemeng says:

They will all probably be on the same platform? How many different cars can they milk out of the same platform?

I don't know, but VW has built an empire off the Golf's platform.

I don't think this is such a bad idea. Toyota has the Rav4, Highlander, 4Runner, and Venza; not to mention the Lexus clones. A good car is a good car, even if it is ugly (like the Flex).

It might be nice, but Ford is now out of the game for my next vehicle. If I want to tow my camper, it sounds like my smallest option will be the Expedition. Too big for what I need. I could do the SportTrac, but it needs a major redesign, plus the V-6 is sluggish and the V-8 gets almost exactly the same mileage as the F-150...which is not good.

But a new car is a new car. So I'm still interested in seeing how it turns out.

2009 Nissan Pathfinder in the headlights. But not bad looking overall.

I'd rather have a Taurus wagon.

smilez, All we have so far is media speculation. If I were a betting man, Ford is going to make sure the new Explorer can tow your camper.

The Edge is built on the CD3 platform, the Flex and probably the Explorer are on the larger D4. While it seems like there will be some. er. crossover shopping between the two larger vehicles, it's certainly possible to differentiate them--Toyota sells the Land Cruiser and the Sequoia in the same showroom, and to me those two vehicles seem even more directed at the same customer. Venza and Highlander seem pretty similar overall as well. CR-V and Element?

Explorer has higher ride height, which alone will attract some buyers Flex won't. Even with the higher ride height, Explorer also appears to have a taller greenhouse, but shorter overall length--basically, more classic proportions than the polarizing Flex, potentially attracting some people who just hate the Flex. I also suspect Explorer will still offer more rough-road capability. Flex is for the suburbanite who needs a family wagon. Explorer is for the suburbanite who still fantasizes s/he is pioneer on the wild frontier. Edge lacks even a vestigial third-row seat--appropriately so--and is for younger/smaller families and active couples.

brn -

It's at 7115 with the V-8 and 5205 with the V-6.
Those will both work, and I'm assuming the EcoBoost will at LEAST keep it at or above 5,000.
If that's the case, then it's back in.

I think that 2nd paragraph is a little presumptuous, and shoun't have been put in. At least the word "ditching". Because you can see how fast it effected my opinion. Maybe they should get a little more info.

And before somebody points it out; yes, I know the engine is not the only factor in tow rating.

I think it makes sense... think of it as a 3rd-row Edge. The Flex has 3-rows, yes, but the styling doesn't exactly appeal to everyone.

Nothing wrong with offering somewhat similar product in the same showroom, as long as they are in the showroom there's a large chance they are walking away with one of them, making a profit is key. Toyota makes the Rav4, Venza, Highlander, 4Runner, all within the same price points, yet different missions each.

The Explorer's capabilities will drop a little bit from the already robust numbers it enjoyed in the past. The D3-4 platform has underpinned numerous other vehicles, its one of the strongest platforms in the industry and easily modifiable. Older S80, S60, current XC90, XC70, Freestyle, 500/Montego/Sable, MKS, Taurus, Flex, MKT, now Explorer. The platform was designed to be versitile from the state, something many other manufacturer's didn't do, which is why when they take their midsize sedan and tailor it for larger use, they end up with 1500lbs of added weight to the structure and end up with lukewarm results.

"I don't think this is such a bad idea. Toyota has the Rav4, Highlander, 4Runner, and Venza; not to mention the Lexus clones. A good car is a good car, even if it is ugly (like the Flex)."

This statement fails. Rav4 is compact and Escape competitor, Venza is Camry wagon and Edge competitor and Highlander is Flex competitor. It used to be 4runner and Explorer but not anymore, it will simply be Explorer and Edge competiting with each other. Lexus clone? Ha! More loke MKT cloned from the Flex and MKX cloned from the Edge.

While I suspect this change will revive Explorer sales I do not see it as an improvement for those who still have a need for a more off-road capable vehicle. This is a trend that Ford has been following for the past few years. They seem content to rely on the F-series trucks and Expedition to carry that burden. The problem is not everyone needs an off-road capable vehicle that big and bulky. With the imminent demise of both the outdated Ranger and the Sport Trac there will be nothing left in the Ford line-up for those customers wanting a more practical sized vehicle except perhaps an imported Ranger. As the current owner of a 4x4 Sport Trac this will probably be my last new Ford truck. And that is truely a shame considering that only a few short years ago Ford dominated nearly every segment of the truck market.

If this is the future of the Explorer then I hope they at least bring back the legendary Bronco.

Ditto to all of the above comments.
One item I would like to add is this. Whatever the intent of the mission is with this new iteration, please spend some extra time of the front end hardware. As a former owner of four Explores between '98 and '04 I can tell you that is was maddening that the front ball jpints would sqeak at approximately 1.5 to 2 years or c/ 20K mils. Everyone of them. Get that annoying sound fixed and I might return to the showroom. Quality Is Job One and don't forget it.

All we need is for the F-150 and Ranger also go to the "off-road weak" independent rear suspension. What's wrong with all these designers going the plush yuppie ride avenue. Some of us still enjoy a nice solid rear end that is off-road worthy all packaged in a small pratical vehicle. As mentioned above, looks like Jeep, Nissan and Toyota are the only ones that will fair in that niche. Its too bad that Ford has succumed to this as well having such a strong icon figure in the off road scene.