'11 Explorer Revealed!!

[Joe Dirt]

So Ford needs a large volume vehicle to appeal to the most possible buyers. So, Ford builds a road-friendly Explorer, with clear every-day driving road hazard capabilities through TMS, and then could be building a slightly smaller Ranger derivative, body on frame, same size as the original Explorer and ST, that would be a low-production tolerant model for the off road crew? Brilliant! Wow- some people really know how to run a car company...

Stay tuned, folks...

 

[willied]

So Ford needs a large volume vehicle to appeal to the most possible buyers. So, Ford builds a road-friendly Explorer, with clear every-day driving road hazard capabilities through TMS, and then could be building a slightly smaller Ranger derivative, body on frame, same size as the original Explorer and ST, that would be a low-production tolerant model for the off road crew? Brilliant! Wow- some people really know how to run a car company...

Stay tuned, folks...

That would be sick.

 

[NHarris]

So if anyone is curious how the 11 explorer's transfer case may look like (similar to subaru's). This really is one of the few set-ups for a FWD differential/transfer case to the real wheels.

 

[willied]

It's scary how complex that is. It makes you wonder how anyone could ever come up with such a design.

 

[NHarris]

This pic is of the 2011 ford explorer's V6 engine bay

This pic is of a 2005 ford explorer V6 engine bay

I'll take my X's engine bay lay out anyday over the 11's.

Look how compact the engine bay now is compared to the old RWD explorers

 

[willied]

That's terrible. The new Explorer is so nice inside, but the outside looks like a total mom car. Couldn't they just make it trucklike in the looks?

 

[Glen4X4]

Call me dumb if you will but I do not understand the illustration very well but thanks for posting. Guess I'll have to stare at it some more and maybe I'll understand.

EDIT: Ok, now I think I understand as I now see the bearings for where the front axle shafts would come out, so this means the explorer has an engine like a rwd but connected to a fwd/awd type tranny.

 

[NHarris]

You're talking about the tranny? That tranny is a subaru's symmetrical AWD's tranny. It probably is a similiar design to what the 4wd explorer will be

 

[Glen4X4]

Oh ok, you are thinking that its going to be like a subaru type design and I know they are setup kind of like a rwd motor I've seen plenty at work. But kind of also makes ya wonder if it'll be setup like the escape.

 

[NHarris]

Oh ok, you are thinking that its going to be like a subaru type design and I know they are setup kind of like a rwd motor I've seen plenty at work. But kind of also makes ya wonder if it'll be setup like the escape.

I'd bank on the design like the escape. They'll recycle stuff.

 

[JLindley]

I do not like the new explorer at all. They might as well not even call it an explorer because it is truly not an explorer. All it is, is a bigger Ford Edge. I will never buy another one unless its a 2010 or below!!!

 

[waskly]

i really think the 11 ex will have an edge ptu.

 

[swetrid]

The 2011 is based on the Taurus X platform.

 

[NUFX]

I love the look and smell of new engines.

I checked the prices of the 2011 Ex in CA. I'm hoping they come in Flexi-terms; similar to that of the F150 truck.

 

[willied]

I love the look and smell of new engines.

I checked the prices of the 2011 Ex in CA. I'm hoping they come in Flexi-terms; similar to that of the F150 truck.

I just wish you could see more of the engine.

 

[edge929]

I too noticed the engine bay looked crammed as hell but it could just be clever plastic shielding (smoke and mirrors as they say). Regardless, it looks like all the common points are easy to get to and replace (battery, oil, washer fluid, etc).

tflcar.com posted a not-review on their website. According to them, the ex is still under embargo but they took a good shot of an XLT in white platinum. You can tell it's an XLT by the 18" rims, the aluminum grill and black side mirrors. The vast majority of pictures on the net show the 20" Limited rims.

http://www.tflcar.com/2010/10/exclu...ord-explorer-for-a-first-ever-test-drive.html

 

[NHarris]

Those resonators on the intake grew in size tremendously!
Why is there plastic on top of the engine ? I never understood the point of it, besides it looks good. They are a pain to work around and have to take off every time. An engine isn't supposed to look good. Its supposed to work

 

[willied]

I believe they have the plastic covers to reduce noise. Pretty stupid if you ask me, I want to hear the engine, unless it sounds bad.

 

[NHarris]

...I want to hear the engine, unless it sounds bad.

My first thought after reading that was honda....

edge929... I watched the first 10 seconds of the video and when the drive-by happens I knew right away thats explorer is too quiet...

 

[FordFTW]

Very depressing imo.