New Ford Explorer Sport: Fuel-Efficient, High-Performance SUV

[Thrumcap]

Originally Posted by 2001Explorers

Not sure what people are looking for. Seems to be alot of talk about the good old days when men were men and sheep were scared. You guys are just going to have to get over the fact that ford has reinvented the explorer. Time to move along now. Lets talk about the new vehicle and what it has to offer. Maybe start a thread that can be sent to Ford with the specs you would like to see. You know. Maybe take the specifications from a 2010 Explorer and meld it with a Jeep. You can call it the Jeexplorer. Put a V10 in it and have it get 8mpg. Jack it up so its 6 feet off the ground. You'd need a step ladder just to get in. Super turbo charged man machine that's able to leap over Mount Rushmore and squash the little sissy 5th Gen Explorer that every member who signed up prior to 2010 hates. I'm sure it would be a great hit with the general public. LOL.

How about the same basic design- just with RWD based 4WD system, at least 7000 lb. towing capacity, 360+ HP, offroad ability, with adjustable suspension. Oh wait, that's a Jeep. Just need a bit more space and a third row...

[Limited02]

Originally Posted by Thrumcap

How about the same basic design- just with RWD based 4WD system, at least 7000 lb. towing capacity, 360+ HP, offroad ability, with adjustable suspension. Oh wait, that's a Jeep. Just need a bit more space and a third row...

What I seem to not understand is why is RWD so important when you have 4x4??? Towing 7,000lbs with an Explorer isn't very smart anyway. I've towed about 5,000lbs(16' trailer with wood bed and my '89 Hatchback 5.0 Fox), it wasn't fun and I don't care to do it again.

I've been through this debate when the 5th gen Explorer first came out and there will never be an end to who is right. We all have different taste and with that said, the current Explorer will do more than enough than the average buyer will ever need. Throw some half decent all-terrains on and you'll go farther off-road than most Explorer owner will ever care to go.

[Thrumcap]

Originally Posted by Limited02

What I seem to not understand is why is RWD so important when you have 4x4??? Towing 7,000lbs with an Explorer isn't very smart anyway. I've towed about 5,000lbs(16' trailer with wood bed and my '89 Hatchback 5.0 Fox), it wasn't fun and I don't care to do it again.

I've been through this debate when the 5th gen Explorer first came out and there will never be an end to who is right. We all have different taste and with that said, the current Explorer will do more than enough than the average buyer will ever need. Throw some half decent all-terrains on and you'll go farther off-road than most Explorer owner will ever care to go.

It's the fact that power is sent 100% to the front wheels until any slip is deteted. There is a delay and you get torque steer. Bottom line is FWD sucks.

[GRNMACHINE]

Originally Posted by Anime

Ugh, it sucks when the marketing department gets free use of past monikers for things. "Sport" should have been reserved for 2-door versions of their offerings. This is just going to create a lot of confusion when anyone refers to a "Ford Explorer Sport".

On the plus side, this "Sport" branding idea now makes the earlier Sports into the high-performance versions. Which is sort of true anyway since they had less weight but the same powertrain as their 4-door counterparts.

Confusion yes, but regardless of all that I now have a Hi-Po Sport!!!

All 160 HP on tap, to be used whenever I slam my foot down and the pedal... seconds later, I am close to 30mph!!!!!! And the fantastic 14mp, killer combo!!!!! Heh Heh

Triton, your posts are good and funny!

Did anyone get the price, it is bound to be way Over-Priced

[biggon71]

when I first read this I was hoping that they changed the loods up and made it more off-road worthy but I was dissapointed when I saw it. the 350hp sounds fun but I propably wouldnt buy it

[Sgt1411]

Originally Posted by Thrumcap

A bit of a disappointment. Too much unpainted plastic, door handles don't match, no additional towing capacity, and not even the full 365 HP. This barely competes with the Hemi Durango or Grand Cherokee. In fact, it still falls far short of the Pentastar V-6 models' towing capacity.

Im with ya, kinda feel the same way. EcoBoost yes 100% but that paint scheme is not appealing to me. Monochromatic maybe, the plastic body trim should at least be body colour. If it was offered in Tuxedo Black it may look OK.

Lotta $$$$

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Limited02

What I seem to not understand is why is RWD so important when you have 4x4???

I might have been on board with the 5th gen Explorer had they given it a low range transfer case. Without low range it's not a capable 4x4.

Look around at 2wd desert race trucks and tell me how many FWD's you see... The unlimited classes could be FWD if there was an advantage in reliability, and performance. Guess their isn't.

[Limited02]

Originally Posted by Sgt1411

Im with ya, kinda feel the same way. EcoBoost yes 100% but that paint scheme is not appealing to me. Monochromatic maybe, the plastic body trim should at least be body colour. If it was offered in Tuxedo Black it may look OK.

Lotta $$$$

I agree that it should at least be like the Edge Sport. All panels are body color

Thrump- This particular version should be AWD, so torque steer shouldn't be much of a problem. I can see your point, but most Explorer owner won't even notice it.

[Limited02]

Originally Posted by Rick

I might have been on board with the 5th gen Explorer had they given it a low range transfer case. Without low range it's not a capable 4x4.

Look around at 2wd desert race trucks and tell me how many FWD's you see... The unlimited classes could be FWD if there was an advantage in reliability, and performance. Guess their isn't.

And just like drag racing, the fastest rides are RWD.

We aren't talking race cars here, we are talking about a family SUV. The quality of the 5th gen far exceeds any Explorer before it. Look at sales, Ford is finally selling the Explorers and working their way back up. I wouldn't mind having one as a daily driver to tow a highly modded first gen to the trails.

I can only hope with the release of the all new '13 Fusion, Escape, Mustangs and 2013 Shelby GT500 that Ford will see a profit that will allow them to bring the Bronco back and give the off-roaders what they want.

Lastly, there is only one true 4x4 on the market that has stayed true to it's roots and that's the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Nothing else comes close to what it offers and with Fiat's help, the quality and engine is kick ass.

[Rick]

The question was "What I seem to not understand is why is RWD so important when you have 4x4???" Sorry if you don't like the answer and don't think it's applicable to an SUV. It is what it is... And it's not what' it's not. It's not a capable off-road performer. It's a beefy looking poseur. If that suits you, then you've got the right vehicle.

BTW, Explorer sales are indeed higher than they have been in awhile, but they are nowhere near what they were selling when the first and second gens were out.

431,488 Explorers sold in '98. 135,000 sold in 2011.

[Limited02]

Originally Posted by Rick

The question was "What I seem to not understand is why is RWD so important when you have 4x4???" Sorry if you don't like the answer and don't think it's applicable to an SUV. It is what it is... And it's not what' it's not. It's not a capable off-road performer. It's a beefy looking poseur. If that suits you, then you've got the right vehicle.

BTW, Explorer sales are indeed higher than they have been in awhile, but they are nowhere near what they were selling when the first and second gens were out.

Fair enough. I guess I view it as my Explorer, just backwards since mine is RWD until the tires slip and then the front kicks in.

So you are saying that if one selects 4x4, that it is always 2wd(FWD) until the tires slip? If so, I can see how that would suck.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Limited02

So you are saying that if one selects 4x4, that it is always 2wd(FWD) until the tires slip? If so, I can see how that would suck.

Honestly I don't know how the computer splits the torque, when or why... All I know is that it doesn't have low range. That's the biggest killer for me, more so than just the fact that it's FWD. Without low range the transmission becomes very hot when ascending very steep off-road terrain or when trying to power out of certain off-highway situations. Not something most here will ever worry about, since I have yet to see, or hear of anyone actually taking one off-highway. It just doesn't meet my needs, or the needs of those who really need something to work well off-road. That's what I find depressing... that Ford no longer offers an SUV with the kind of ability I needed when I bought mine in '93.

Once upon a time, Ford really considered the Explorer's off-highway performance. Then came the Firestone tire debacle and everything changed. People demanded that their VEHICLE become safer rather than hone their skills so THEY were safer DRIVERS. I don't believe anyone should have to rely on stability controls, "BLISS" or anything else to make their vehicle safe. The problem has always been the loose nut BEHIND the wheel.

Check out these pages:

http://www.explorer4x4.com/co_fallrun.html

http://www.explorer4x4.com/thaven_report.html

http://www.explorer4x4.com/moab_report.html

Ford sent teams of engineers with us on all of those runs. At the Truck Haven run they brought the then yet to be released Explorer Sport Trac and HAMMERED on that thing. Ford really impressed us at how hard they ran that truck out in the desert. Best of all NOTHING broke even though they came prepared with another Explorer filled with spare parts and their own mechanic to fix anything that might have went wrong. The Sport Trac they tested out in the desert with us was the same unit they brought to the Detroit auto show a mere few weeks later...

I invited Ford to join us at some of our events with the 5th Gen, nothing crazy, just trails that any decent stock SUV should have been able to deal with. My requests were never even answered

[briwayjones]

Originally Posted by Limited02

What I seem to not understand is why is RWD so important when you have 4x4???

RWD systems tend to be stronger, especially if it's a solid axle. RWD vehicles also handle better than FWD and have more control. Having the drive axle and steering axle on the same axle is not really a good thing.

[bobhew]

just bought a 2011 limited in july, already contacted dealer to let him know i'll be trading it in on a new sport. They look sick!!!

[turboexplorer]

Originally Posted by bobhew

just bought a 2011 limited in july, already contacted dealer to let him know i'll be trading it in on a new sport. They look sick!!!

I agree! I really like the red scheme.
Will be a fun ride to have.

[Limited02]

Originally Posted by briwayjones

RWD systems tend to be stronger, especially if it's a solid axle. RWD vehicles also handle better than FWD and have more control. Having the drive axle and steering axle on the same axle is not really a good thing.

Without getting into an argument, RWD and FWD each have their advantages.

I'm sure we all can agree that if Ford were to give us a new Explorer of our choice for free as a daily driver, we'd take it.

I for one am excited for the new Sport and can't wait to see someone work some magic on it. Who ever thought you could get a 350hp Explorer from the factory!

I do believe that Ford will be making a new Bronco very soon, and you dirt bugs will have what you've always dreamed of

[Rick]

I do believe that Ford will be making a new Bronco very soon, and you dirt bugs will have what you've always dreamed of

That would be a blessing for a lot of people

[TekMan05]

I still drool over the thought of a coyote with the 6 spd auto in a Ford Explorer 4 door. Same thing with the Crown Victoria before they axed it for the new interceptor. But that's a whole different can of worms there.

[tjsxplodr]

I just saw this thread, and OMG that thing is FUGLY!!! Looks so much like a cross between a Land Rover and a Subaru, its not funny. Sorry Ford, I think you missed on this one. And calling it a 'Sport' when its got FOUR doors? BLEH!!! Not likin' one bit. Think I'd rather keep my 1994 and splurge on putting stuff into that than to pay montly payments for that new crap they put out these days.

[Limited02]

Originally Posted by tjsxplodr

I just saw this thread, and OMG that thing is FUGLY!!! Looks so much like a cross between a Land Rover and a Subaru, its not funny. Sorry Ford, I think you missed on this one. And calling it a 'Sport' when its got FOUR doors? BLEH!!! Not likin' one bit. Think I'd rather keep my 1994 and splurge on putting stuff into that than to pay montly payments for that new crap they put out these days.

I think you need to stop by your local Ford dealership and check out a few new rides. If you walk away thinking Ford is putting out "crap" then you are a very, very hard person to please.

I'll post any links to whoever mods up the new Sport so we can see just how fast it'll go