Ford Explorer Gets EcoBoost V-6 and a Touch of Swagger

 

On Wednesday, Ford introduced the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport, a performance version of its bread-and-butter S.U.V.

In a media release, the automaker said the vehicle, which would represent the top of the Explorer model line, was the first-ever high-performance model for its venerable Explorer nameplate. That may be true, though some Wheels readers may remember the Sport designation on a two-door version of the S.U.V. offered in the 1990s and 2000s.

The Explorer Sport shares the carlike body-chassis unit found on the 2012 Explorer, but instead of that model’s 290-horsepower V-6 and EcoBoost 4-cylinder engines, the Sport gets a twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V-6 that, according to Ford, generates at least 350 horsepower. The engine is backed by a paddle-shifted 6-speed automatic. A somewhat stout 3.16:1 final drive ratio is said to provide a balance of responsive acceleration and economical low-r.p.m. cruising.

A reinforced chassis, electric power steering with a quicker ratio and stouter suspension calibration are intended to improve the vehicle’s handling. Brakes have grown, too, though the disc and caliper sizes were not disclosed.

 

If Ford’s projected fuel-economy figures of 16 miles per gallon in city and 22 m.p.g. in highway driving are verified by the E.P.A., the vehicle would better the fuel economy of the 2012 Jeep Cherokee and Dodge Durango, which share a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine, by 3 m.p.g. and 2 m.p.g. in their respective categories.

In a reminder of shifting corporate allegiances, Ford compared the Explorer’s fuel economy with that of the Land Rover’s Range Rover Sport. The model was developed under Ford’s stewardship of the British S.U.V. builder, before the marque was sold along with Jaguar to Tata Motors in 2008. The Explorer Sport would have the edge by 3 m.p.g. in city and 4 m.p.g. in highway driving.

Subtle exterior cues give the Explorer Sport a somewhat more aggressive appearance than currently available trim packages. These include painted 20-inch wheels, various black trim pieces and a low-gloss gray-mesh grille with glossy black bars spanning its width.

Standard and optional features do not differ from those available at other trim levels and include 4-wheel drive, dual-zone temperature control, first-row heated power seats, rear-view camera, the MyFord Touch infotainment system and a premium sound system with 12 speakers.

Pricing for the Explorer Sport will be announced closer to its sale date this year, but as the new range-topper, it would be expected to exceed the price of an Explorer Limited with 4-wheel drive, which begins at $40,680.

 

source: NYtimes

2012 Ford Explorer EcoBoost

Ford is no stranger to convincing buyers to embrace smaller displacement, forced-induction engines over their larger, naturally-aspirated counterparts. A little less than a year ago, skeptics wondered whether typically change-averse full-size truck consumers would be willing to swap their tried-and-true V8 for the turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine now available in the F-150. According to Ford, that question has been answered – fully 41 percent of its half-ton pickups are rolling out the door with a forced-induction six-cylinder under the hood.

There’s no great mystery behind the trend. As fuel prices have inched their way upward, vehicle shoppers have begun to count efficiency among the biggest factors that influence their final decision. According to Ford, a whopping 35 percent of Explorerbuyers count the vehicle’s fuel efficiency as the biggest reason behind their purchase.

Now the Dearborn-based automaker is hoping to repeat the success of the F-150 with the Explorer, and its smaller stablemate, the Edge, by welcoming a new, smaller engine to the EcoBoost family: a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injected inline four-cylinder. This engine boasts more torque and greater fuel efficiency than the standard 3.5-liter V6, but gives up a few horses and will cost shoppers an additional $995 when it hits dealers.

 

The story is much the same indoors. There is no differentiation between the cabins of EcoBoost and naturally-aspirated models. Ford even averted the easy trap of splaying the dash, floor mats and steering wheel with the EcoBoost logo. It’s all clean and very familiar, right down to the MyFord Touch system. If you weren’t a fan of the tech integration before, odds are you won’t find anything to smile about in its presence here, though Ford is quick to remind its detractors that the system enjoys a staggering 90 percent take rate on the Explorer. We have a sneaking suspicion that fact may have as much to do with how the vehicle’s option packages are arranged than any real affinity for the color-coded touch screen interface, however.

Whereas the vehicle’s exterior and interior have remained untouched, the engine bay has received a substantial overhaul. Ford has managed to pull an impressive 240 horsepower from the turbocharged inline four-cylinder at 5,500 rpm and an even headier 270 pound-feet of torque at a substantially lower 3,000 rpm. Those figures fall 50 ponies shy of the standard 3.5-liter V6, but eclipse the larger displacement six-cylinder’s torque figures by 15 lb-ft. Both engines are coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission, but Ford says that the 2.0-liter EcoBoost can return an EPA-rated 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, an improvement of three miles per gallon in both city and highway driving over the base vehicle.

 

Part of that increase in fuel efficiency is due to a slight reduction in weight. With two fewer cylinders aboard, the 2.0-liter EcoBoost weighs around 80 pounds lighter than the standard 3.5-liter V6. Additionally, Ford isn’t offering the EcoBoost SUV with all-wheel drive. All that power from the 2.0-liter gets dumped to the pavement via the front wheels only, which makes the machine more comfortable fielding fair-weather mall duty than snowy winter mountain passes, and it also lightens the load by a whole drive axle.

And that’s just fine. Ford has brought all of its engineering muscle to bear on this all-aluminum EcoBoost four-cylinder, and as a result, the engine packs twin independently variable cams for greater efficiency over the entire rev range as well as polished bucket tappets, sodium-filled exhaust valves for greater durability and an exhaust manifold integrated into the aluminum cylinder head to save weight. That last bit also decreases the time it takes for the engine to reach optimum operating temperature, which reduces wear on the turbo and increases longevity at the same time.

Despite an abundance of power available from fairly low in the rev band, Ford has managed to keep torque steer under control. While we were able to induce a good bit of wheelspin off the line, the Explorer didn’t seem interested in wrestling the wheel from our hands. Due to the use of a lightweight, low-inertia turbo design, power delivery is linear and smooth without much in the way of lag. Pound the throttle from a stop and the four-cylinder lights up with glee, pulling to 60 mph in a little over eight seconds according to one engineer. Though power seems to fall off slightly higher in the rev range, the six-speed automatic transmission keeps the engine from winding itself out. Instead, the gearbox happily holds its cogs to fully make use of the 270 lb-ft of torque available. With shift logic that isn’t quick to drop down, the engine feels more like a traditional V6 than a shrieking four cylinder. The end result is acceleration that feels more than adequate for a vehicle that tips the scales at 4,503 lbs.

Despite its many positives, at the end of the day, we would have a hard time justifying the additional $995 for the EcoBoost option. A jump of 3 mpg in both city and highway driving is nothing to dismiss, but a lack of available all-wheel drive and significant cut in towing capacity are sacrifices that are tough to justify in our book – especially considering Ford is asking its buyers to pay for the reduced functionality. Unfortunately, we suspect the success of the Explorer EcoBoost will probably depend largely on fuel prices in the future.

 

 

Interestingly enough, the exact opposite is true for the Edge EcoBoost. At nearly 400 pounds lighter than the Explorer, the Edge feels like it hasn’t given up any driving performance in the switch to four-cylinder power. With its readily-accessible torque and even higher 30 mpg, paying an extra $995 for the Edge EcoBoost is a comparative no-brainer. While Ford is reluctant to stick actual figures to either vehicle’s performance, one engineer told us that the Edge is a full second quicker to 60 mph than the Explorer, and as a result, the smaller crossover is significantly more engaging. It simply feels fast and capable, whereas the Explorer merely provides adequate power.

Our Explorer tester came laden with Limited trim and Ford’s Rapid Spec 301A equipment package, which included niceties like a power liftgate, power folding third-row seating and voice-activated navigation. As a result, our sticker price hovered just under $42,000 including an $825 destination fee. Buyers will be able to get into a base Explorer EcoBoost for significantly less coin, however. Buyers can spec out a model with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine for $29,165 plus the same destination charges, or just just under the $30,000 mark.

While we can absolutely see a good reason for buyers to pony up a little extra coin for the EcoBoost 2.0-liter in the Edge, the engine makes more sense to us as a no-cost option in the Explorer. Ford has already employed a similar tactic with the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, allowing buyers to choose between greater fuel efficiency or greater power in the V6 model without asking them to dig any deeper into their bank accounts. Though the Explorer EcoBoost is a solid driver, we simply don’t think the optional engine’s benefits offset its taller price tag and reduced capability.

 

 

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/08/29/2012-ford-explorer-ecoboost-first-drive-review/

For $995, 2012 Ford Explorer gets EcoBoost treatment for 28 mpg; Edge gets 30 mpg

For 2012, Ford will bolster its EcoBoost commitment by equipping both the Explorer and the Edge with its turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. This pint-sized mill boosts the Explorer’s fuel economy rating to “segment-leading” status and pushes the Edge to the 30-mpg mark.

The 2012 EcoBoost-equipped Explorer arrives toting some fairly impressive fuel economy numbers – 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg out on the highway. Ford points out that those EPA figures mean that the 240-horsepower Explorer gets a best-in-class highway fuel economy rating. For comparison’s sake, the V6 Explorer, though slightly more powerful (283 hp), gets stickered with lower fuel economy figures of 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway.

Similarly, the 2012 Ford Edge, equipped with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, officially returns 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. The EcoBoost engine bumps up the Edge’s fuel economy by three miles per gallon on the highway compared to the 3.5-liter V6-equipped 2011 Edge. For 2012, the EcoBoost engine is available on front-wheel-drive Explorer and Edge models for an extra $995. That should be an appealing price for a lot of buyers. As Amy Marentic, Ford group marketing manager, told Automotive News, “36 percent of customers are purchasing Explorer because of fuel economy. It was only 6 percent back in 2007.”

Banking on EcoBoost is Ford’s commitment. Looking forward, the automaker says EcoBoost engines will be available in 90 percent of its vehicles by the end of 2013.

http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/26/2012-ford-explorer-ecoboost-28-mpg-edge-30/

2012 Ford Explorer 2.0-liter EcoBoost to net 20 mpg city, 28 highway

Ford’s reborn Explorer has been selling at a brisk clip since being introduced for the 2011 model year, with some 65,823 units finding homes through June. While that’s a far cry from the line’s salad days back in the ’90s, that total already pips the previous generation’s 2010 sales figures for the entire year. And that’s with just one engine, the 3.5-liter V6.

The Explorer’s naturally aspirated six is about to get a more frugal companion, with Ford finally announcing that it will deliver the promised 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost soon. The new model will arrive toting some handsome fuel economy numbers, too – 20 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway (23 combined).

Ford is quick to note that those EPA figures mean that the 240 horsepower (at 5,500 rpm) and 270 pound-feet (at 3,000 rpm) EcoBoost engine will garner best-in-class highway economy ratings for the Explorer – some 12 percent better than the Toyota Highlander and a whopping 20 percent better than the Honda Pilot(though the latter is slated to get a new six-speed gearbox and improved mpg for 2012). Like most newer turbo DI engines, the 2.0-liter will run happily on regular 87-octane fuel.

For comparison’s sake, the standard TiVCT V6 generates more horsepower – 283 ponies at 6,500 rpm– but less torque (252 lb-ft at 4,100 rpm), with commensurately lower economy figures of 17 city and 25 hwy (20 combined). That means EcoBoost intenders can expect to save about three miles per gallon across the board. Click through the jump to continue reading.

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/07/28/2012-ford-explorer-2-0-liter-ecoboost-to-net-20-mpg-city-28-hig/

Videos: Ford’s 2011 Explorer and 2012 Focus go off the wall

Ford has been testing its upcoming 2012 Focus extensively, and it’s already put the compact through 12,000 crashes in both the virtual and real worlds. Ford says that the Focus features advanced restraint systems as well as next-generation airbags that feature upgraded chest-protection technology. The C-Segment car is not stealing all the focus (*ahem*), however, because the all-new 2011 Explorer has clearly received plenty of attention from the safety engineers. For the first time in the Explorer’s history, it has landed on the IIHS list of Top Safety Picks.

Enough talking, because you’re ready for some automotive snuff films, right?

[Source: Autoblog, Youtube, Ford]

Cops to get EcoBoost… We get.. More legroom…

Jay Leno has been a busy little denim-clad bee lately. The late-night host and car aficionado managed to get up close and personal with what Ford is hoping will become law enforcement’s vehicles of choice in the near future – the Ford Police Interceptor and its Utility counterpart. Leno was lucky enough to get a full walk around both bruisers as well as a stint behind the wheel in the rain. The man with the chin managed to run down the current-generation Crown Victoria-based interceptor during a lead follow, so the footage from the track is a little more entertaining than your run-of-the-mill hot lap.

Autoblog Drives the 2011 Explorer

At least a few eyebrows were raised when Ford first let on it was bringing the Explorer back in a radically different form for 2011 – but not all of the quizzical looks were for the same reasons.

For one thing, the Explorer name had been seriously damaged because of the very public Firestone tire rollover controversy of the early 2000s, something that ostensibly made the 2011 model a prime candidate for a new name. In addition, early rumors had the Blue Oval transitioning the vehicle to a unibody chassis and away from the very body-on-frame architecture that helped establish it as the archetypal sport utility vehicle for two decades. It simply wasn’t clear that a crossover-based vehicle would still be able to make an authentic claim to the same core values that helped the previous four iterations of Explorer sell millions of copies. Finally, Ford already had a very competent three-row CUV in its arsenal – the Flex. Were its dealers really looking for another one?

Video: 2011 Ford Explorer plays in the California sand

The outgoing Ford Explorer was a rear-drive-based body-on-frame SUV with a substantial thirst for fuel yet little in the way of off-road capability. The 2011 Explorer is built off a front-drive architecture, which would lead the uninformed observer to believe that dirt and rocks won’t get along with the newly redesigned CUV. But Ford has worked its magic with a clever all-wheel drive system that works in tandem with a Terrain Management System that promises a modicum of off-road capability. Without skid plates and higher ground clearance, we’re not talking hardcore rock crawling, of course, but perhaps there’s more ability here than one might otherwise expect out of a unibody three-row crossover.

2011 Ford Explorer EcoBoost

It’s been quite a day for the new 2011 Ford Explorer. After teasing, more teasing, and even more teasing, Ford finally unveiled what it thinks will “reinvent the SUV for the 21st century.” At 12:01 EST this morning, we presented an in-depth look at the new Explorer, providing details on the new exterior and interior as well as some of the safety features, and at noon we went over the new powertrain options, including the 2.0-liter EcoBoost inline-4 that will deliver 30 percent better fuel efficiency than the previous V6 model. Ford has even put up a configurator for the 2011 Explorer, allowing you to build your own.