NAIAS 08: Ford Explorer America concept

[Commodore]

NAIAS 08: Ford Explorer America Concept
www.gminsidenews.com

Short Take: Basically a concept to test the waters of the potential Explorer on a unibody platform.















The Ford Explorer America concept showcases a new kind of utility for the vehicle customers have known and loved for years: even better fuel efficiency.

“Customers are smart. They value vehicles – the more efficient, the better,” said Jim Farley, Ford group vice president of Marketing and Communications. “Ford gets it.


“Innovative technologies can transform people’s favorite vehicles. Look at SYNC, the Ford system that connects people and their favorite portable devices, including media players and Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, while in their vehicles.”


Technologies and engineering innovations help Explorer America concept deliver an approximately 20 to 30 percent fuel-economy improvement, depending on engine selection, while providing room for six and their gear as well as moderate towing and off-roading capabilities.


This smarter utility concept simplifies Ford Motor Company’s systems approach for delivering sustainable vehicles, specifically demonstrating:

• A powertrain lineup that includes a 4-cylinder 2-liter engine with EcoBoost technology delivering 275 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque or, as a premium engine, a 3.5-liter V-6 delivering about 340 hp. Depending on engine selection, fuel-efficiency will improve by 20 to 30 percent versus today’s V-6 Explorer
• Migration from current body-on-frame to unibody construction, reducing weight and delivering superior driving dynamics
• A fuel-efficient 6-speed transmission with auto shift control, allowing the driver to select and hold a lower gear with just the turn of a dial when conditions warrant it
• A weight reduction of 150 pounds for the V-6 version thanks to its downsized – yet superior performing – engine, as well as more lightweight materials, suspension and chassis components
• Fuel-saving electric power assisted steering (EPAS) and other engine actions that deliver a fuel savings benefit of about 5 percent. Between 80 to 90 percent of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles will have EPAS by 2012

In addition to its fuel-efficient powertrain and technologies, the Explorer America concept addresses how the SUV market has changed in the past 15 years.


In the 1990s, customers were drawn by SUVs aligned with people’s adventurous, more rugged lifestyles. Today’s consumers are more discerning, demanding products that are capable and flexible – but more intelligently executed.


The Explorer America concept looks the part, too, with a modern, muscular design language that belies its ability to harness today’s active lifestyles. Its integrated three-bar grille, defined power dome hood, wrap-around rear glass panel window and sliding rear door give the appearance that this concept is ready for modern Lewis-and-Clark types to explore, from their own neighborhoods to the trail head.


Inside, intelligent features abound, including: single-touch stackable, sliding seats that allow for convenient access to the second row; a work table with seats deploy from the tailgate; and a three-dimensional compass and navigation unit with a topographical map built right into the instrument panel.



Want More?

High-Resolution Images of Explorer Concept

[2b2]

WOAH! That's HOT!

I *love* the grille - perfect marriage/nextgen of SuperChief & car-3-bar.

This is gonna take some studying - but so far I like everything about it!

[LeSabre]

When I read the thread title "Ford Explorer America concept".
I immediately thought of Lee Iacocca from the 80's Chrsyler/Plymouth/Dodge commercials where "America" was part of the moniker's name!

Regarding the concept itself:
Interesting design. I would like to see what it would look like toned down for a production model unless this is already very close to what a production model of it looks like. Where is Igor when we need him??
I dunno if they should call this thing Explorer. Maybe a different moniker would work better? Though Explorer has alot of equity in it. So maybe it could work anyway.

As to Ford possibly transitioning the "Explorer" nameplate from an SUV to a crossover/CUV. I think Ford gets "fad-happy". What ever type of vehicle becomes the latest fad/trend, Ford Motor Company puts out 45k various incarnations of them under its various brands. Esp. several under the Ford brand alone. Of course the Mercury or Lincoln versions are just clones/bad...blatent rebadges of the Ford model. Ford really needs to cut down on the various incarnations. Though the ones in Mercury or Lincoln need their own distinctive sheet metal, instead of being "dressed up Fords".

[derrado]

Originally Posted by LeSabre

When I read the thread title "Ford Explorer America concept".
I immediately thought of Lee Iacocca from the 80's Chrsyler/Plymouth/Dodge commercials where "America" was part of the moniker's name!

Regarding the concept itself:
Interesting design. I would like to see what it would look like toned down for a production model unless this is already very close to what a production model of it looks like. Where is Igor when we need him??
I dunno if they should call this thing Explorer. Maybe a different moniker would work better? Though Explorer has alot of equity in it. So maybe it could work anyway.

As to Ford possibly transitioning the "Explorer" nameplate from an SUV to a crossover/CUV. I think Ford gets "fad-happy". What ever type of vehicle becomes the latest fad/trend, Ford Motor Company puts out 45k various incarnations of them under its various brands. Esp. several under the Ford brand alone. Of course the Mercury or Lincoln versions are just clones/bad...blatent rebadges of the Ford model. Ford really needs to cut down on the various incarnations. Though the ones in Mercury or Lincoln need their own distinctive sheet metal, instead of being "dressed up Fords".

That's the thing. For once, Ford is thinking outside of fads. The SUV market is crumbling and the segment leaders have toppled in sales. Suddenly we hear rumours of the GMT-360 platform being killed and Ford releases a concept of a unit-body Explorer. With gas prices rising, people are realising that SUVs aren't a smart option. The Explorer will leave body-on-frame, TrailBlazer/Envoy will press in without revision, Durango may die and the SUV market will never return to the prominence it enjoyed in the 90's.

Sure, Ford has a lot of crossovers in its own brand alone (Escape, Taurus X, Flex) but at least it is investing in a thriving new segment. Sure, crossovers may suffer the same fate seventeen or so years from now but at least Ford is realising that the mid-size SUV market is dying.

[Andonis]

Horbury understood the new language.

[throwback]

Very well done. I'm sure the Taurus X will be killed once this hits the streets, if not sooner. I applaud Ford, coupled with their new DI turbo motors I suspect this car/tuck will be able to tow as much as the current Explorer. If they can do that and improve the fuel mileage they will the product to power their turn around. They have to keep the Explorer name, it has built up so much equity over the years, and everyone knows an Explorer is a Ford.

[mikmak]

Wow, that's plactastic! Glad to see that teh plastic cladding Pontiac has ditched, went somewhere worthwhile

The Yoda Ass-Bat was better.

[Ambalanche]

I'm surprised none of you remember that a while ago there were rumers of the NEXT Explorer going unibody CUV as the name is still huge. As much as I hate to say it, I like this better than the spy pics I've seen of the Traverse. AND I think Chevy should have used the name Trailblazer on their CUV instead. Traverse, boy that rolls off the tounge well!

[throwback]

I read the Ford release and it does not indicate if this is a FWD or RWD unibody. I'm thinking this may be built on a new RWD based unibody, with 4WD as an option. Perhaps the Falcon platform from Oz?

[blank disk]

WOW, I love it.
I love having several CUV/SUV choices. What's wrong with that, as long as they are different in size/styling/proportions. GM can offer 1000 different cars, and what are people flocking to these days? CUV's!!!

[gardnet1]

Originally Posted by Ambalanche

I'm surprised none of you remember that a while ago there were rumers of the NEXT Explorer going unibody CUV as the name is still huge. As much as I hate to say it, I like this better than the spy pics I've seen of the Traverse. AND I think Chevy should have used the name Trailblazer on their CUV instead. Traverse, boy that rolls off the tounge well!

Traverse is way too tran-sexual sounding like a neutered truck or a butched out car. Rhymes with perverse too.

I agree, if trailblazer is going to die off and we all know it will; then that is what the new Chevy Lambda should be called or just plain Blazer. Then they can rename the existing Trailblazer the Chevy Classic for a couple of years. That's a great interim name that they can recycle.

[gardnet1]

Originally Posted by throwback

I read the Ford release and it does not indicate if this is a FWD or RWD unibody. I'm thinking this may be built on a new RWD based unibody, with 4WD as an option. Perhaps the Falcon platform from Oz?

If it doesn't use the Oz set up then they will probably base it on the same platform as the Volvo S80/Taurus/Sable/Flex and use the quite awesome Haldex scalable AWD system.

[ByTheLake]

It's nice to see Ford continuing to develop the mid-sized SUV. It's sad that GM is letting Trailblazer/Envoy languish. They deserve better treatment.

[member12]

It has minivan doors.

If they make this, then they'd better give people like me a Bronco.

Just because it's unitbody doesn't mean that it has to be a minivan like the Edge. Butch it up a bit and give it some rugged off road credentials.

[blank disk]

I have always loved the Explorer style and proportions. Ford has done impressive work making the current BOF vehicle the best in class. I am glad to see the limitations of BOF will be gone though, but so will the benefits. What will people choose that want a tough little truck to haul their stuff as an option? Of course, there is also CAFE and all choices will soon be modified in some way.