Ford EX Concept

[addkev]

I was reading an article this weekend about the Ford concept, EX. Looks like the "sniper" in the BFG adds. Ford actually let the magazine take it out and play with it.

I think it was FOURWHEELER magazine, but don't hold me to that.

 

[ok89]

Yeah I saw the article as well. It looks really nice but I dont remember if i read the article or not.

July 2002 Issue of Four Wheeler pg 56 - 59

 

[leenjen]

they look cool, but do you think they will ever make it to production?

 

[Flounder]

I saw the article, also. While an interesting concept, I doubt it'd make it to production because it is strictly a "fun" car - no doors or windshields, anything like that. I mean, I'd love to see it made (and have one for that matter) but the amount of buyers vs. units needed to be produced to be profitable would be questionable.

 

[jimbo74]

yup... ford has already publicly stated that it will never be built........ they are cool looking though.... my explorer will be doorless soon, has no roof and also no windsield at the present time......

 

[leenjen]

so why do they waste all that money building a concept that they know will never make it to production? and there will be nothing like it in production either...

 

[jimbo74]

Originally posted by leenjen
so why do they waste all that money building a concept that they know will never make it to production? and there will be nothing like it in production either...

they wanted to see the response of a vehicle..... of the millions of explorers out there, lets say everyone on this site would buy 1 maybe even 2 of the ford EX..... at $50 k a pop...... by 10,000 members..... to ford that is only $1 billion dollars... nowhere close to what they have made off of the explorer

 

[DocVijay]

Companies all build concepts to test new technologies. Many of hte nice little features that we enjoy now, were on some concept car 10 years ago. Sure, it costs a lot of money to build them, but it's a great way to test them and more importantly, get a public opinion. For example, BMW built an interesting, but butt-ugly concept car, the X Coupe. It looks really, really odd, but from a gadget standpoint, it rocks. Basically they exist because the engineers want to have some fun building the outrageous before the bean counters step in. The financial department of car comanies is a nightmare for the engineers, because they cut off their good ideas at the knees. If the engineers got their way, we'd all have concept-like cars.

Also, it used to be not so long ago that car companies would use the race track to test new things. After a while, these advances would trickle down to passenger cars and inprove life for all of us. It's changed. Now technologies for the track are derived from stuff that normal cars have.

 

[Flounder]

Very true on the profitting. Think of the 95-01 Explorer. 6 years of basically the same body. Granted, the bumpers and rear tailgate saw a sprucing up, the front suspension minor adjustments, and the addition of a new engine choice (V8 in 1996 then SOHC in 1997), the interior has remained almost exactly the same (I guess the Homelink thing, new radios, and new steering wheel found in ED and Limiteds would be changes). These changes, however, did little to significantly cut Ford's profits, and thus, the Explorer was their cash cow for many years.

 

[addkev]

Sure, it costs a lot of money to build them, but it's a great way to test them and more importantly, get a public opinion.

Yeah, in the EX they have accomplished 12" of wheel travel on each corner. That is the same number Jeep is bragging about on the new Liberty. Maybe in a couple of years we will see the new Explorer/Expedition with 12" of travel on all 4 corners.

 

[DocVijay]

12 inches.

Is that really what the Liberty has?

 

[leenjen]

maybe it did when it first came out. but they lowered the Libertys a couple inches. i think that would limit it's capabilities a little more.

 

[jasonb]

i thought the liberty had like 8.5 before that fiasco where they had to lower them

 

[DocVijay]

But now you have to remeber that the EX has really kick-a$$ CNC billet aluminum suspension pieces, inboard oil reservoirs and lots of other cool stuff. Techwise I don't think the Liberty compares. It's not size (or travel), it's how you use it. Give it a few years and all that cool stuff will get to the Explorer.

 

[jme94xlt]

Mmmm, CNC billet goodness... Great so long as we can still lift 'em.

 

[WhitMcRae]

why did they lower libertys? also, i have seen very few and dont think they are selling well. didnt they replace the grand cherokee? i see a lot more of those.

 

[addkev]

Supposedly they can't make enough to keep up with demand. But, they replaced the regular Cherokee, but it had solid axles, so I don't know how it will measure up.

 

[LowdPypes]

jeepers...

I know, I know... "we" don't like jeeps but I had a cherokee before I bought my MM and that was the best off roading vehicle I have owned. It was roomy like the grands but rugged like the wrangler. I had a rock ready kit on it which gave my 8 more inches past stock and 36" tires. I sold the car with 285,000 miles and she was mint. Not a scratch or a spec of rust. When I heard they were getting rid of the cherokee, I cried. I knew the creator of the cherokee and all I ever remember hearing him say was, "why change something that works" Hence the reason they never really attacked the cherokee. Solid axles front and rear with Dana44's. Then I heard the liberty would replace it, I laughed. It'll be back guys... The cherokee will be back... maybe it won't look exactly like it, but it will be back. Just my thoughts.

No people, that's not a river, that's what we around here like to call Lake uncwa... that is Lake UNCW. This is what Wilmington, NC looked like after Hurricane Floyd. My jeep was used as a rescue vehicle for two weeks.

 

[BigDave]

Since we're talking abou the Liberty...

Did anyone see the article that the Jeep Liberty supposedly ran the Rubicon bone stock? I wanted to know if they actually ran the entire Rubicon or just the easy parts (if there are any)?

I don't think that it would be possible for a stock liberty to run the Rubicon trail completely stock.

Can someone verify or dismiss this please?

Dave

 

[LowdPypes]

liberty shmiberty...

I heard that also and I also heard that it went through the jamborree with no problem. Now, I know they didn't take that thing through the rough parts. I have been through most of the Rubicon with my Rock Crawler and I seriously doubt they did it in that thing. I have seen tons of CJ's and, hell, I have even seen a hummer get stuck there.