New Ford Explorer is not just designed from scratch. Its concept itself has changed. So much so that not even entirely clear why left previous name of ...
Four generation models for 2Q years diverged 6 million copies. Of successful and recognizable name is not collected, but wanted something radically new. The goal formulated so: invent Explorer again. And it turned out.
The car was at 9 cm longer, at 13 cm wider and slightly lower-hence the visually different from the American segment of medium-sized SUV, the new Explorer is not increased. So it was surprising to find decent baggage compartment behind the backs of the third row of seats. This rarely seen even on full-size SUVs. But I am quite middling got even in the third row. By the way, the Gallery is "is a flat pad.

All the engines of the new Explorer also have developed anew. The primary is a 3.5-litrovyi Cyclone V6 engine with direct injection and variable valve timing. He replaced not only the old "six" 4.0 and 4.6-liter V8. By the way, the last new motor almost equal in power (294 HP vs. 296), being a third less. Honestly, I was expecting to see under the hood turbirovannyi V6 EcoBoost, which has supplanted the old atmospheric V8 in a whole series of pickups Ford (for America it has become something akin to the Revolution). But expectations have not been met: it turns out family engines EcoBoost will appear on Explorer only next year. It will be turbocharged in-line Quartet volume 2.0 liters and rated at 240 HP, it will be installed on most front-drive version of the Explorer.
 

For America is a new mid-size SUV "Renaissance". Today, designers of the big three Japanese rivals oppose American brutality and played on the national character. These are the new Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango. The third was the Explorer. But as buyers took a new, krossovernuû, essence? Imagine, even those. who drew attention to this fact, voted in favour. Visual Confirmation-a doubling of sales of the Explorer in the first half of the year.
Well, let's deal with the "hardware". The current generation model for the first time in history, was carrying a. It's a clear plus. First, the frame is not a required feature of long an SUV is a proven, such as the Jeep Cherokee and a Land Rover Discovery. Secondly, the stiffness of the body grew, and new layout options ("human" third row seats and a large trunk is proof).
Became a full schema and drive. But, as it turned out, the change in the "mechanics" just not principled. The main innovation is the lack of Downshifting. Say without guile: the thing in the family car, and yes even without front and rear locks, pretty useless.
The role of Center differential still performs a multiplate clutch, only now it connects the front axle, and not the back. No longer need to include neutral, to select a mode.
Off-road Terrain Management system manages the arsenal with the turning switch in the style of Discovery. The system itself is easier than Land Rover (no pneumatic adjustable clearance, more modest "iron" off-road Arsenal), but in the field it is better the old schema. The driver is not required to decide when and what to use. You can simply select the dirt/the knees
Before the Explorer even in 4WD Low not disconnected ABS now all electronics helps the driver. Feedback on the gas become smoother, automatic transmission, low keeps longer changing work anti-buksovočnoj system ...
On this basis it can be concluded that the Explorer off-road in the hands of the average driver only increased.


2011 Ford Explorer videos








...by AutoWorld magazine