Ford Unveils Techno-Explorer

[redsport]

Heres what i just read in dec 2003 petersons offroad and 4x4.....

"It sees in the dark, will help its driver avoid accidents, and has an interior that its owner can configure any number of ways. From the outside it may look like just another Ford Explorer, but this is the Smart, Safe Research Vehicle, or S2RV. Ford engineers fitted it with the latest in electronics gear, including Active Night Vision, Adaptive (steerable) Headlights, a Wireless Proximity Warning System, an Accident Avoidence Camera System, and a Rear Collision Warning System. (Maybe Blind people will be able to drive after all.)
Interior apointments include wireless Bluetooth Conectivity for cellular phones, a SmartNav navigation system, and reconfigurable displays and switches. How does that work? There are a number of docking stations inside the SUV into which a driver can plug what are known as smart switches. So if you like your window buttons on the console rather then the door panel, you can plug them in there.
Is this Ford in out futures? "You can bet that many of these features will be seen in Ford vehicles of the future," said Dr. Ron Miller, S2RV's project leader."

This sounds nice to me, but why dont the give us a more offroad ready explorer instead. Simple and fun. Chevy has the Zr2 blazer, why can we have an offroad-addition explorer?

what do you all think?

 

[SoBeLover]

That sounds cool.....I'd buy one if I had the scratch

 

[Skeets'91EB]

I agree with you Redsport, i would like to see Ford offer a more offroad ready explorer....but that techno explorer sounds awesome too.

 

[Pheonixx77]

UHH, we all know of the rumors related to the accronym F.O.R.D "fix or repair daily. and knowing alot about computers myself i would say this "yeah its cool as hell, but how much does t cost to fix? and whats the lkely hood a computer crash will screw my truck lke a 2$ prostitute?)

 

[dogfriend]

Most of the problems I have had with my 97 have all been some type of electrical device problem (IAC, door lock solenoids, etc) , so I'm also not convinced that this is a good thing.....

I'll trade the power windows for a live front axle and a couple of inches of ground clearance, thank you very much.

 

[clarkkent]

damm car companies.. never thinking about the middle class people and lower. I bet you if this truck does come out.. its gonna be 50 grand PLUS!!!!!!

 

[Soundguy01tx]

btw the way, your all asking about the "offroad explorer"? I think the best your gonna get is a NBX 4 door... Its nowhere near offroadable, but it tailors to the "wild side" supposedly...
--Bryan

 

[OZexplore]

UHH, we all know of the rumors related to the accronym F.O.R.D "fix or repair daily.

i thought F.O.R.D. stood for Full Of Rust 'n' Dust or was that First On Race Days but then again it could have been Found On Rubbish Dump
i just cant remember which one, depending on the mood of the X it could be all of em (on the same day)
i must be getting fat that looks like a double chin!

 

[TwoToneX]

The day Ford starts thinking about making an actual off-road capable Explorer or anything lower than a superduty with a solid axle up front is the day that pigs fly out of my arse. Until then, they'll just market that their IFS front and rear explorer can go "anywhere"

Just like everyone else said, what's this thing gonna cost to fix when it busts (and it will bust). Besides, I REALLY don't like the idea of the moveable switches. Sure, it's cool for awhile, but just wait until the 5th or 6th time you move it and it won't sit in there right anymore, or one of the buttons won't press right... This is for the people with more money than brains, which Ford loves to cater to.

 

[sunbum]

Soundguy01tx wrote:

I think the best your gonna get is a NBX 4 door... Its nowhere near offroadable, but it tailors to the "wild side" supposedly...

With it's larger wheels, 3.73LS, etc. you didn't think it was anywhere near offroadable?
I thought it more offroadable than many stock Xs... but I'd be interested in hearing your (or valid others actually) opinion. I was close to buying one, since the new standard Xs are soccermom vehicles.

Yeah, the S2VR is pretty slick, but with a good warranty, your toys can be replaced so why not have some extra electronics that help?

Ford needs to put out an SUV that does this, though it does bump the price up a lil:
Amphibious Vehicle

 

[Soundguy01tx]

Dont get me wrong, I like the NBX... Id love to have one. But compared to what you can do in a modded ex, its not a lot... Ill give credit that it does have bigger tires, etc. that you mentioned, but its not going to make it in an offroad park.
--Bryan