Next Ford Explorer to be a CUV

[SkanlaxJMO]

And so began the age of Puss-isim, where Ice Skating is the dominant sport over football and the Mazda CX-7 is considered badass and rugged. An age where the T-Bone Steak has been dropped for the lighter, more maneuverable File Mignon, and the trail to the local camping spot has actually grown over.

Ill tell you one thing, my kids are going to be the ones with grease in their blood, a football in hand, and the keys to a 1994 Bronco in their pocket. And they're gunna be able to kick anyone's ass, right after they finish their T-Bone seasoned to perfection and right before they rhomp through that overgrown trail in their 4-wheel drive.

Oh ****, my kids are hicks! Ok, they can have Chinese food every once in a while, that should balance things out.

Amen \

Edit: Just a thought...has anyone send ford an e-mail with this thread in it..maybe so they can see some of there consumers don't want to be sissified with all the main stream CUV bs??...but they probably wouldn't read it.

 

[Bwana Bob]

Does anyone know what the new Explorer will look like? (I like the 1st and 2nd generation look better than the current Explorers). I looked at the Edge. I like the engine and drivetrain and the fuel economy is decent, but it looks like a hatchback car with big tires and I like an SUV that at least looks like a truck.

Will the new Ex still have a 2-speed transfer case, I wonder?

2010 or 2011 is too long to wait. Sadly, in addition to the perception that all future SUV's must be cars, the rising fuel prices are going to kill the Explorer in another year or so.

Bob

 

[Rick]

Amen \

Edit: Just a thought...has anyone send ford an e-mail with this thread in it..maybe so they can see some of there consumers don't want to be sissified with all the main stream CUV bs??...but they probably wouldn't read it.

When Ford joined our group for a few offroad runs, they went back to Detroit with our input in hand as well as our demographics. I was told by one of the engineers who went with us that Ford's bean counters refused to believe that our entire group of "redneck offroaders" were professionals.

They believe what they want and do what they want... The group that came out with us were interested in building a "Jeep beater". They said it would take five years to hit the market, if they built one. Well, it's been 7 years now and the closest thing they ever came to building a Jeep beater was the "EX concept". Very cool, but nothing more than a stylng excercise. It was pure sport, no utility about it...

 

[Charlie's_93EB]

jeep beater`?? well ok. I like the looks of the Ex .

I still say Ford needs a B3, yes a Bronco 3.

 

[TinwoodyII]

Check out the Ford Flex--its on the Ford Website--I do believe that will be the Explorer replacement.
Bill W

 

[Bwana Bob]

Who knows what Ford is really planning, but it was my impression that the Flex (formerly called Fairlane) was the replacement for the Freestar minivan. If it has the typical minivan handling and low ground clearance, its no replacment for the Explorer, though it might replace thr Freestyle wagon. I think the Flex looks like a cross between an Honda Element and a Range Rover!

I'd rather have the retro styling of the 1st generation Explorer.


Bob

 

[Willard]

just think, in a few years instead of people having their prized 1950's pickup people will have a 1st gen explorer. "back in the day when we had real SUV's" thats what they will say to their kids

 

[Bwana Bob]

just think, in a few years instead of people having their prized 1950's pickup people will have a 1st gen explorer. "back in the day when we had real SUV's" thats what they will say to their kids

True, despite high fuel prices, Al Gore, political incorrectness, and consumers who decided they don't really want a truck, somday, somewhere (maybe out west, or up north), 1st generation Explorers will still roam free.

Mine has 205,000 miles, is my only vehicle and daily driver, and I'm keeping it because one day it will be a classic!

Bob

 

[Gator Jeff]

Ford Sucks! Ever since William Clay took over, the company has made stupid decision after stupid decision. They killed the SVT and they've killed all that's good about SUVs.

As far as fuel economy goes, how about a diesel? They could essentially take half a SuperDuty engine which would be a 3.2 L 4 cyl that makes 325 lb/ft of torque. HP would likely be under 200, but with that kind of torque, who cares? And, its an engine that could burn American Soy instead of Arab Oil. My step dad had an old Isuzu PUP (almost the size of a Gen 1 X)with an even smaller 4 cyl diesel and that thing could tow anything. Also, we all know that diesels are million-mile engines. As far as fuel economy goes, that powerplant could probably get around 30 on the highway. I'll bet you that CUV they're trying to cram down our throats will barely break 25 for the 6 cyl.

As for "American" cars. My old Focus was built in Mexico, a country that really pays well and takes care of its employees. HA! I can't dispute what Chriswells said about Honda, but I know that Toyota makes more cars in the US than Ford does and its workers are UAW.

That seals it though, as long as they keep making parts for my Gen 2, I'm keeping her. I can do the repairs myself and I'm getting 20 MPG with a huge roof rack and no other mods. If I ever ditch the rack, switch intakes and exhaust and go synthetic, I'll likely get close to 25. That's good enough for me for a truck that I can take almost anywhere.

 

[mounty71]

Doesnt it seem odd, that in the late 80's through the 90's when offroading wasnt that popular to the general public... yet truck based offroad capable SUV's were the norm. Now, offroading is very mainstream and SUV's have turned into tall cars. Seems weird to me.

James t said exactly what i was thinking. It also seems apparent to me that the 2nd gen explorer was much more popular than any of these crossover vehicles, especially the ones built by ford. So why are they taking away all of the options that people wanted a few years ago and offering the crossovers which obviously people dont want (just look at how many families drive the freestyle as opposed to the 3rd gen explorer, or even the 2nd gen). I realize ford needs to keep up or stay ahead of its competition, but do they have to completely disregard the vehicle that ended up being the highest selling SUV ever?! Why mess with success?

And to name a mall-crawler 'explorer' just to keep a well-known name alive... just give the freestyle a taller suspension and switch its badging with the explorer's if they want to save money, it already resembles the explorer anyway.

i would rather they just retire the name now before they completely disgrace it.

 

[dtl 2k2 sport]

I'm thinking it's just the natrual cycle of auto industry. It'll turn around eventually but they will mess exactly what was their bread and butter. Does anyone know of the sales numbers from this time vs. last year?

 

[ezeedee]

keep trucks as trucks and cars as cars.

 

[Bwana Bob]

keep trucks as trucks and cars as cars.

Amen to that, but Ford seems to be going whole hog into the crossover market. Ford already has lots of crossovers, but none as capable as the Explorer:

Escape: Not enough cargo space. No low range.
Freestyle: Not enough ground clearance. No low range. Family boat.
Edge: Looks like a big CR-V and all the other AWD hatchbacks. No low range. Yuppie car.
Flex: Really a minivan with a new body style.

Market pressures and fuel prices are going to kill the Explorer. Ironically, there is a diesel Explorer, called the Endeavour. It is sold in the Asian market. I saw one last year when I was on a business trip to India.

Why can't Ford keep something in their line up that is sporty, rugged, utilitarian, and something that a MAN would want to drive?

Bob

 

[Rick]

Why can't Ford keep something in their line up that is sporty, rugged, utilitarian, and something that a MAN would want to drive?

Exactly!!!

 

[Stic-o]

When Ford joined our group for a few offroad runs, they went back to Detroit with our input in hand as well as our demographics. I was told by one of the engineers who went with us that Ford's bean counters refused to believe that our entire group of "redneck offroaders" were professionals.

They believe what they want and do what they want... The group that came out with us were interested in building a "Jeep beater". They said it would take five years to hit the market, if they built one. Well, it's been 7 years now and the closest thing they ever came to building a Jeep beater was the "EX concept". Very cool, but nothing more than a stylng excercise. It was pure sport, no utility about it...

Rick, I have close ups of this "Ex Concept" if you'd like me to post My lil sis actually got to go for a ride in it, street and and on a offroad course

 

[Redneck0907]

well, all i know is my truck is a 5.0 with a steel frame under it and when the day comes that im one of the last people with an pure american vehicle, it will be time to disable the air bags, weld a plate in for my bumper. and start hitting all these pussy ass yuppie economy vehicles. in my opinion the last good year for the explorer was 2001. when it still was a truck. Maybe its time to go show ford's stupid ass engineering team what is up.

 

[Halfnuts]

Maybe if we're good this year Santa will bring us a production-ready version of that Bronco concept that debuted last year...
And If we're really good, it'll look a little better than it did last year.

 

[james t]

Maybe if we're good this year Santa will bring us a production-ready version of that Bronco concept that debuted last year...
And If we're really good, it'll look a little better than it did last year.

That thing was an Escort with a cool looking body on it. Think PT Cruiser fighter.

 

[Gator Jeff]

Maybe Ford, and GM and Chrysler for that matter will wake up when the new FJ starts outselling their SUVs. Solid axels, a great motor, manny option. The FJ make look like it got a beat down with an ugly stick, but it's the most truck like thing out there if you don't want a full Hummer. Well under 40K fully loaded doesn't hurt either.

 

[camaro_guy_z28]

Has ford even hinted at making another true suv like the bronco or 1st generation explorer