"I do not think an extra 50-ish horsepower is going to over-power the Limited's suspension."
It sure wont help and having driven a V8 SUV during the Explorer rollover period of infamy a sure footed suspension that is very well matched to the powertrain is pretty mission critical. It's 75 more Hp and 95 more ft/lbs or torque and peaks achieved through low lag turbos- if you don't think those matter in how the vehicles are driven, thus how the suspension needs to perform, it's the % difference between a performance tuned V8 mustang and a ho hum driver V6 of past. I suppose some skidpad results would help sort the 2 suspensions. if either of us really cared to explore that (pun not intended ;-)
"but it is not going to be a death trap because of the extra HP either."
I don't think I made that exaggeration (I'm an engineer not a salesman ;-)
"As for options, it is simple...they usually weigh more and the intent of the Sport is "sportiness" thus it needs to keep the weight off. "
I'm talking rain sensing wipers & HID headlamps (yet the Sport has 2nd row console , bucket seat, and DVD entertainment options) so clearly options allowed are not about needing to keep the weight off. If you don't get why HIDs are performance driving then why ignore BLIS & adaptive cruise options are categorically visibility/distance vs speed options too.
"as I said before than what is the point of trim-lines?"
As I answered before a the top spending tiers it's drivetrain & suspension - same with other makes & marks. While I'm sure there are equally confounding examples it's unusual that any make or mark would leave out arguably performance features (HID or smarter wipers) for higher priced higher performance models - Explorer seems like one where the driving sporty experience, and better lighting, has inexplicably escaped the decision makers list. Go figure - maybe we can blame the bean counters again - on a related note I still bet it's something they'll add next year just like this year the Sport got towing std and once LTD only heated steering wheel as an option (which my hands will appreciate this winter on early am or late pm twisty backroads).
"I do believe these are the same questions/debates that happen at Ford, and I can see how hard it is to accommodate what everyone wants. I am just happy that Ford got most of it right! "
Agree - wouldn't if be fun if they listened to some of us (the ones who wanted to spend more for more value added especially - it shouldn't be a hard sell). Yes, they got it mostly right BUT I also note they get it (more options for the Sport) more right each year as is evident by additions YOY. I suppose it's something to throw at buy or leasers when a platform is a otherwise same carryover platform for 4-5 years. I figure since I'm spending ~$50K for a sports-ute and am willing to pay more for options that should/could be as easily offered that I get to complain this time just a little. Doing the HID lamp mods the right way myself is going to be a PITA and as a customer and a F investor I'd have been happy to see these DIY's offered factory. Likewise with the remote app underpinnings that I'm having dealer installed tomorrow.
Ok it' been fun to rap about but it's obviously academic because A) we got what we got B) We get what they give and if we buy it's a proxy of approval C) they don't really listen to end users as much as they should as evident from the Infotainment/UI debacle of the last 5 or so years (not rocket science - and product development & user interfaces is what some of us do for a living so we know so it shouldn't be so fouled up for so long).
Aren't we smart ;-)
Cheers!