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ok ..so as expected - transverse engine - FWD/AWD

and from the look of it - no regard for offroading .. (or at least not in the current mock up of the exhaust).

nice to see finally - a dual outlet - althogh a true dual exhaust would be even nicer - it would also add a few ponies to the engine ... never a bad thing.

Igor
 

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So its going to be transverse engine with AWD.

Why don't they just stretch the cargo area on the Edge a bit instead?
 

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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
ok ..so as expected - transverse engine - FWD/AWD

and from the look of it - no regard for offroading .. (or at least not in the current mock up of the exhaust).

nice to see finally - a dual outlet - althogh a true dual exhaust would be even nicer - it would also add a few ponies to the engine ... never a bad thing.

Igor
They are still going to offer a V8 as well right?
 

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So they are renaming the Freestyle/Tauras X----> Explorer?
Am I understand this?
I'd kinda like to go with that analogy myself ;) but it really isn't correct at all

The Taurus-X is on the original D3 platform (not strong enough for the 3.5EcoBeast)

The next Explorer will be on the D3ver2 or even ver3 - whatever they call it -
and
can not only handle of the 3.5EB but probably will set a new (Ford) record for F-Awd-towing & offroad-ability
(as well as setting a new style for their SuvCuv segment)

^imho^
 

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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
Something I noticed...Mustang steering wheel lol

But this might be big! In the Taurus X cabin, below the arm rest is a cubby hole. Something is filling that hole and has nobs on it. This is what I think...hill descent control??!!!
 

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Something I noticed...Mustang steering wheel lol

But this might be big! In the Taurus X cabin, below the arm rest is a cubby hole. Something is filling that hole and has nobs on it. This is what I think...hill descent control??!!!
Typical Mule features As i said before Mules are made from bits and pieces of Different vehicles and as such they tend to have very bizarre "family trees". Anyway as for the knobs below the armrest it could very well be some sort of hill descent control (it does not look out of place like most testing equipment would be)
 

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Ford may be onto something here with the next Explorer, assuming it will be like the concept with at least one sliding door, and that it is priced right.










Think about who buys/wants a people mover with sliding doors.
Young couples with babies. It is perfect for them.

Adults don't want sliding doors really, that's where the Flex will step in for adults with larger people mover interests.

The Explorer if sized smaller than FLex, and priced thousands less, could be one of the very few 7 passenger people movers that offer sliding doors and style - affordably!!!

AWD will be nice too.
 

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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
Ford may be onto something here with the next Explorer, assuming it will be like the concept with at least one sliding door, and that it is priced right.










Think about who buys/wants a people mover with sliding doors.
Young couples with babies. It is perfect for them.

Adults don't want sliding doors really, that's where the Flex will step in for adults with larger people mover interests.

The Explorer if sized smaller than FLex, and priced thousands less, could be one of the very few 7 passenger people movers that offer sliding doors and style - affordably!!!

AWD will be nice too.
Sliding door was only for the concept.
 

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Do we know for certain that Ford will not pull a Flex and show us sliding and then later give us hinges?

I bet Ford gets unique and offers sliding.

Man, that Explorer is sexy.

Heck, Explorer has always been the best looking in it's class.
 

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When Ford was developing the Flex, they discovered that customers were much less likely to buy the Flex because if it had sliding doors. Needless to say, expect Ford to stay away from minivan doors (yes, minivan is the most important adjective here, not sliding!).

These are VERY fresh mules, just off the 'factory'. Great to see close up pics of these things! This is already Ford's worst kept secret, but there is nothing cosmetic to hide I guess ;)

Come to think of it, the Fiesta has been mysteriously absent from the streets of Dearborn. Several were caught during the early summer, but that was all since then. Every other Ford product near introduction are all over roads in unprecedented numbers.
 

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When Ford was developing the Flex, they discovered that customers were much less likely to buy the Flex because if it had sliding doors. Needless to say, expect Ford to stay away from minivan doors (yes, minivan is the most important adjective here, not sliding!).

These are VERY fresh mules, just off the 'factory'. Great to see close up pics of these things! This is already Ford's worst kept secret, but there is nothing cosmetic to hide I guess ;)

Come to think of it, the Fiesta has been mysteriously absent from the streets of Dearborn. Several were caught during the early summer, but that was all since then. Every other Ford product near introduction are all over roads in unprecedented numbers.
no kidding I saw two naked fusion sports running around at MPG yesterday. Unfortunately they didn't stay in one place long enough for me to get a pic but they do look good in person. Other than those i have not really seen much of anything at MPG as of late. They still have a huge stockpile of F-150's and I highly doubt I'll see explorer testers there until those are at least in the prototype stage. Anyway i might take a special trip down to Dearborn either later this week or next week and see what i can find. And you do make a good point Borg. The Fiesta has been MIA as of late and all of Fords other testers have been out and about in plentiful numbers
 
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