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Filed under: New York Auto Show, Performance, Crossover, Ford
No one may have asked
Ford to drop the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 found in the
Taurus SHO behind the headlights of the
Explorer, but that doesn't mean we're complaining. Ford has just debuted the higher-performance crossover at the
2012 New York Auto Show, complete with its full 350 horsepower. Ford says the newly menacing softroader will be good for around 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, and the nudge in power shouldn't do anything but help the vehicle's ability to tow up to 5,000 pounds. Engineers have also thrown in bigger brakes and a little extra bracing to help the chassis cope with the additional muscle, not to mention a quicker ratio steering rack for a slightly more responsive cornering.
The available horsepower drops to the pavement via a paddle-shifted six-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive system. The Sport features a unique version of the Terrain Management System found on lesser Explorers, though the software has been uniquely calibrated to handle the additional power on hand.
A handful of aesthetic tweaks are also part of the package, including blacked-out bodywork on the mesh grille, side-view mirrors and lower fascia. Unique wheel choices are also part of the package.
Hit the jump for the full press blast.
Continue reading 2013 Ford Explorer Sport mugs for the camera in NYC
2013 Ford Explorer Sport mugs for the camera in NYC originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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April 4th, 2012
The Ford Explorer carries the distinction of being one of the most significant vehicles sold in America over the past twenty years. While Jeep brought the concept of an SUV to appeal to families with its Grand Cherokee, it was the Ford Explorer that won over the masses and made the truck a best-seller. Times change, and finally, Ford changed the Explorer into more of a crossover, which is what the public wants. Sales of the Explorer are up, and news came today that Ford is doing something with the Explorer they have never done before-make it sporty.
Hard to believe, but for as long as the Explorer has been around, Ford has never marketed a sporty version, but all that changes with the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport. At the heart of the Explorer Sport is a 3.5L EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6, expected to churn out 350hp. All Explorer Sports will come with all-wheel drive paired to a six-speed automatic with shift paddles. Towing capacity will be a respectable 5,000 lbs. With fuel economy figures of 16/22 MPG city/highway, Ford is marketing the Explorer Sport as a more frugal alternative to the HEMI-powered Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Ford did not stop at simply shoehorning a more powerful engine into the Explorer. The chassis has been reinforced for improved handling, the steering ratio has been tuned for quicker response, and larger brakes complete the package. Visually, unique 20″ wheels, smoked head and tail lamp bezels hint that this is no run of the mill Explorer. The Ford Explorer Sport will be on sale later this year, and will be seen publicly for the first time at the 2012 New York Auto Show, and The Garage will be there! Stay tuned.
March 28th, 2012
I'm torn over the new Ford Explorer Sport, announced earlier today. I don't particularly like the new Explorer, but if you've got to get a three-row crossover for some terrible reason a 350-hp, twin-turbo V6 one with decent handling and sporty looks is probably the one to get.
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March 28th, 2012
Filed under: Videos, Crossover, Ford
The redesigned
Ford Explorer is already selling quite well, and it looks like the three-row crossover is about to add another variant to boost the bottom line a little more.
Ford posted on its Facebook page a 26-second video that teases what looks to be a high-performance version of the Explorer.
The video show only a mesh grille, a beefy exhaust and what appears to be body-color wheels. There's not much else we can share about the brawny family hauler, but we think it's safe to speculate that an EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 with 350 or so horsepower lies in waiting under the hood of this Explorer Sport.
The good news about this tease is that we won't have to wait long to see the finished product. Ford tells us that the powerful CUV will be officially unveiled on the
Ford Explorer Facebook page on March 28.
Hit the jump to watch the video for yourself, and stay tuned for more information on this hi-po 'ute as we get it.
Continue reading Ford teases performance-oriented Explorer
Ford teases performance-oriented Explorer originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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March 26th, 2012
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Filed under: Sedan, Etc., Government/Legal, Crossover, Ford, Police/Emergency
Ford has begun producing the company's two new
Police Interceptor models. According to
Ward's Auto, both the
Taurus and
Explorer-based cruisers are rolling off of the line at the automaker's Chicago Assembly Plant. All told, the sedan variant has accounted for around 60 percent of orders so far. Currently, the law enforcement market is Ford's to lose: Dearborn has controlled up to 70 percent of police car sales in the U.S. with its now defunct
Crown Victoria in the past, but
General Motors has made it clear it wants a larger slice of that pie.
GM has given law enforcement agencies an alternative to the two Interceptors from Ford with its
Caprice PPV and
Tahoe law enforcement SUV. Even so, Ford remains confident it will stay on top of the police market. The company says that early orders indicate it will remain the segment leader.
With a turbocharged, direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 engine in place of the old 4.6-liter V8 found in the
Crown Victoria, Ford also says its new Interceptor models should be capable of returning 20 percent better fuel economy - an attribute that should salve relationships somewhat with fleet orderers who were fond of the anvil-like reliability and simplicity of the old Crown Vic.
Ford Taurus and Explorer Police Interceptor production begins originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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February 22nd, 2012
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Although in recent years Ford has made a serious attempt at being the model of American reliability, competing well against Japanese makes that have dominated for decades. But according to Consumer Reports, three models — the new Explorer, Fiesta and Focus — are blemishing that record.
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October 25th, 2011
