Official information about the upcoming unibody Ford Explorer is beginning to trickle out in earnest. Ford already let loose at the Chicago Auto Show with the nugget that the Explorer would be offered with a four-cylinder EcoBoost motor (quite a switch from the model's historic under-stressed V6 and V8 options). And we've seen prototypes floating around Dearborn, MI -- ones that revealed the new Explorer's primarily front-drive power train configuration.
Those spy shots made us wonder anew how exactly a unibody, front-/all-wheel-drive Explorer was really going to be any different than the bevy of crossovers that Ford already produces (Edge and Flex, most notably). Part of the answer comes with Ford's announcement today that the Explorer will offer a terrain management system that integrates power train and braking settings to provide appropriate traction for a given weather or road condition. If this sounds familiar, it's because this is very much like the system pioneered by Land Rover while the company was owned by Ford.
Ford says the system helps the Explorer deliver better fuel economy by eliminating a transfer case and heavy drive-line components. Obviously, the better-off-roading-through-electronics approach is viewed with some suspicion by hard-core off-road enthusiasts. But we don't anticipate seeing too many Explorers on the Rubicon Trail.
The system has four basic settings. "Snow" limits torque production to prevent excessive wheel slip. "Sand" increases torque. "Mud" is for, well, muddy conditions and allows for increased wheel spin to build momentum. "Normal" is used for the parking lot at Trader Joe's. The console-mounted control knob also has a button to activate hill decent control.
The 2011 Ford Explorer goes into production later this year.
alman08 says:
08:20 AM, 04/15/10
this is great news
carguy622 says:
09:22 AM, 04/15/10
At least they are doing something to differentiate it. Even if it is only moderately capable in the rough stuff it will be better than the Edge.
felonious says:
09:24 AM, 04/15/10
That seems to be a very good way of differentiating it from the other models. Ford's next hit in the making? Can they do no wrong?
IL, please do some investigative reporting and figure out what was the big change at Ford in the last five years or so! This has been a near-miraculous turnaround for them, and I'd like to know who's responsible.
half_ton says:
09:35 AM, 04/15/10
While most would agree that the Explorer (and most SUV's in general) don't see much off-road use, this anouncement does little to comfort those sad to see the Explorer switch to a unibody design. Yes . . . I know the quasi-minivan-CUV-soccer mom mobile is here to stay but that doesn't mean I have to like it.
sharpend says:
09:39 AM, 04/15/10
Too bad it's just a knob that's not really connected to anything like in a Land Rover. It's a my knob goes to 11 kind of thing.
inlinesix says:
10:01 AM, 04/15/10
"'Normal' is used for the parking lot at Trader Joe's."
lol
half_ton says:
11:13 AM, 04/15/10
While most would agree that the Explorer (and most SUV's in general) don't see much off-road use, this anouncement does little to comfort those sad to see the Explorer switch to a unibody design. Yes . . . I know the quasi-minivan-CUV-soccer mom mobile is here to stay but that doesn't mean I have to like it.
half_ton says:
11:17 AM, 04/15/10
Sorry about the double post everyone
wjtinatl says:
11:22 AM, 04/15/10
Hard to believe this will sway anyone one way or another on buying a new Explorer. Unibody and Front wheel drive bias means off-roaders will ignore it and the family oriented driver will care little about a knob for mud or sand usage. Would have like to see Ford build a modern day 4-door Bronco with a torquey V-6 and trailer towing capability.
firstwagon says:
12:39 PM, 04/15/10
The old Explorer served a real purpose and they sold huge numbers because of it. Not sure what the purpose of this one is other then to give the option of different looking sheet metal to Edge buyers.
The market is already very crowded with car/minivan based wagons with SUV like styling. They is getting to be very little to choose from if you want to go off road or tow more then a light trailer. Especially if you don't want to go full size.
I think Ford missed a chance here to come up with something interesting.
rsholland says:
02:23 PM, 04/15/10
Having a low range is good not just for off-roading. It's great to have if you're pulling a boat up a steep boat ramp. I do hope a 2-speed transfer case will still be offered; not too optimistic though.
rsholland says:
07:49 AM, 04/16/10
The 4 positions here are like that found on the Land Rover LR2, which has no low range.
http://gallery.carreview.com/data/car/651/medium/2009_LandRover_LR2_22.jpg
The more off-road capable LR4s and Range Rovers have those 4 plus a rock-crawling mode—as well as a low range.
http://autos.sympatico.ca/docs/4b16bf9f629d1/large/LandRover_LR4_049.jpg
tshoe says:
11:58 AM, 04/17/10
Good job on Ford for adding this. As a current Explorer who is looking FWD to the new version, this is a nice feature. Right now 4WD or AWD is basically on or off, this will make it smarter do deal with situations that owners deal with 99.9% of the time. Even in the NW I have only ever taken my SUVs down dirt, gravel, wet, and some snow at worst. No Rock crawling, full heavy frame needed. Unibody will be just fine, thanks again Ford. Just keep it looking diffent/bigger than the Edge, but slightly smaller and less ugly/hearse looking than the Flex.