The All-New 2011 Ford Explorer Comes Into Focus

After weeks of teasing through a bit of clever Facebook marketing, the latest Ford Explorer finally made its full debut this week, and Ford says it has been successful in “Reinventing the SUV for the 21st century.”

The Explorer first made its debut about two decades ago, and went on to become one of Ford’s most successful and most loved models. However, recent years saw sales volume tumble as buyers moved away from traditional SUVs and opted for more car-like, fuel-efficient crossovers.

“It had to look modern and contemporary – inside and out – yet be instantly recognizable as an Explorer,” said Chief Nameplate Engineer Jim Holland. “Next, the new Explorer needed to deliver the fuel economy today’s customers want, combined with the performance, capability and empowerment they expect from an SUV.”

Interestingly, Ford still claims to be aiming squarely at traditional SUV buyers with the latest Explorer. However, riding on the same platform that underpins the Taurus and the Flex, and featuring unibody construction, the 2011 model is a far cry from previous generations. The benefit of these charges will be improved driving dynamics and fuel economy, but Ford also claims the new architecture will not be detrimental to off-road capabilities.

Compared to previous generations, Ford engineers also improved the quality of the latest Explorer’s interior by great margins. In addition to utilizing soft-touch materials, the cabin also features intuitive controls and switchgear. Buyers will also be able to confronted with a long list of standard and available amenities, including Ford’s venerable SYNC infotainment system.

“Crafting a high-quality vehicle is like preparing a gourmet meal,” said Peter Bejin, craftsmanship supervisor. “You start with high-quality ingredients, execute your recipe with flawless preparation and finally, present it with flair and panache.”

But what might be most impressive about this new, more comfortable and capable Explorer, is that it’s also vastly more efficient thanks to a new EcoBoost four-cylinder engine and a new V6 engine. The standard engine will actually be the 3.5-liter V6 unit, which produces 290 horsepower (just shy of the Explorer’s old V8) and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. For buyers that want the perfect balances of power and efficiency, they can opt for the 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder unit, which delivers 237 horsepower and is expected to deliver at least 18 mpg city and up to 27 mpg highway.

“We spent our time listening to customers and addressing their needs to launch an SUV that reinvigorates the Explorer nameplate and delivers on Ford’s promise of high-quality, fuel-efficient and technologically advanced vehicles with industry-leading safety,” said Holland. “The all-new Explorer will change market perceptions about SUV style, fuel efficiency, technology and user-friendliness.”

It seems that Ford has succeeded in producing a vehicle that balances capability with everyday drivability. Stay tuned for additional details on the new 2011 Explorer.