"Ford gets it," says Ford's VP of Marketing and Communications, Jim Farley. The Ford Explorer America Concept is a vehicle that accepts shifts in the SUV market and thus adapts to consumer concerns, namely those for more fuel-efficient vehicle design. Maintained however are the elements of a vehicle American consumers have lapped up in droves, the Explorer being the top-selling SUV in America for a decade and selling over 400,000 units annually.
Dubbed as the 'smart' SUV showing Ford's commitment to the development of sustainable vehicles, the Ford Explorer America Concept features innovative powertrain technology at its heart. Based on Lincoln's TwinForce V6 is Ford EcoBoost - the incorporation of three key elements that reduce emissions and fuel consumption while increasing engine performance.
In pursuit of these three resultant improvements, gasoline direct injection technology is coupled with standard turbocharging. Direct injection allows for the cooler and denser charging of cylinders, providing greater economy and responsiveness. Turbocharging, a process channeling exhaust air to the turbine at high pressure, increases power output per litre and thus performance, which with direct injection, allows for the responsiveness of a larger displacement engine in a more economical, smaller engine block.
Eight cylinder engines are reduced to six and 6 cylinder units to four, without hindering performance and improving fuel efficiency by 20 to 30 percent, depending on engine specification. Demonstrating Ford's future sustainable engine line-up, the Explorer America Concept highlights two versions of the new engine technology soon to be available in half a million Ford vehicles annually. A 2.0-litre unit delivering 275 hp and 280 lb.-ft of torque powers the four-cylinder option, while a 'premium' option 3.5-litre V6 engine delivers 340 hp.
Addressing the more demanding new SUV market, Ford recognise that consumers now want capable, flexible and intelligently-executed vehicles rather than those simply personifying an 'adventurous, rugged lifestyle'. "Customers are smart. They value vehicles – the more efficient, the better," says Farley. But design is evidently an aspect that remains with the rugged concept of yesteryear. A muscular design language aims at those whose lifestyles remain active, requiring moderate off-road capability and towing, while desiring improved efficiency and adventurous packaging.
From stylish integrated three-bar grille, wrap-around rear glass panel and sliding rear door, the intelligent design continues inside. Stackable seats allow for easier access to the second row, the tailgate conceals a worktable and seats, while a 3D compass - for a rather less conventional navigation system - is built into the instrument panel. Stylish leather trim and finishing adds a touch of class to a minimalistic cabin.
Bring on the production Explorer.
FORD TO REVEAL NEW FUEL-SAVING CONCEPT IN DETROIT
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.
