New Explorer Concept revealed

[Joe Dirt]

Actually the Fairlane concept turned into the Flex- and it's coming...

There is no more Freestar or other minivan in Fords fleet anymore. The Flex is sort of replacing that...

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[Glen4X4]

That thing sorta reminds me of a land rover

 

[Bwana Bob]

Yes, on the Explorer concept, the rear quarter looks like an Escape but the hood looks like a Land Rover. I hope they don't go for the small rear window like in the Edge. I want a vehicle where I can see out the back. Its only a concept, so the production Ex will probably look different. Look at the headlights. Do you think they could get DOT approval? The whole front is a gimmick. How far has Ford gotten with their goofy Airstream concept or the tantalizing Escape-based Bronco concept? Concepts are concepts and nothing more.

Its not as ugly as the Edge and it looks more "masculine" than the Taurus X. Maybe the new Explorer will replace the Taurus X, which probably still isn't selling that well.

Yes, I'm not happy with what Ford did to the Explorer, but it is inevitable if they want to compete with the imports. With rising fuel prices and the new CAFE law of 35 mpg, it don't see that Ford has much choice, if they want to keep the Explorer alive at all.

The new engine looks interesting, provided it can withstand the pressures of turbo and direct injection without blowing up. I suspect that the next gen Explorer will be offered first with the 3.5L engine that is in poduction now.

Sure, I like the styling of the 1st and 2nd gen Explorer better, but I'm probably in the minority compared to most people who seem to want a sleeker look now. I would still buy the new Ex. What's the alternative? You won't get me in a Honda soccer-Pilot, CR-V-yuk!; Toyota with the timing belt and oil sludge issues, etc, etc. Xterra?- too tall and only as much cargo room as an Escape.

Bob

 

[briwayjones]

Yes, I'm not happy with what Ford did to the Explorer, but it is inevitable if they want to compete with the imports. With rising fuel prices and the new CAFE law of 35 mpg, it don't see that Ford has much choice, if they want to keep the Explorer alive at all.

Like someone else said if they want to have that concept it should be called something else. I think it would be better to let the Explorer die with dignity than do that to it.

 

[Donner]

They didn't have to morph it like this...

It should be renamed the Excuseme, the Expectorant, or the ExactlyWTF...


If this were the case, that they had to morph it to survive, there's no way toytaz could have surpassed Ford because Ex sales would be up as a result of the morph. It would be a winner, but it's not. The Ex is unrecognizable.

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

Like most concepts, this is not the final version. But Louisville assembly plant does have contracts through 2010 for the current Explorer. But looking at Ford's history with concept vehicles VS production models, this probably isnt far off from the next Explorer. The name in and of itself carries a lot of weight. Look at the Five Hundred/Taurus naming situation. If Alan Mullany is on the same track, the Explorer name is to stay, but probably not the vehicle as we all know it. Knowing from my sources with the suppliers with the explorer, it will be a modified Flex/MKT platform. meaning FWD with AWD as option. It will probably be the next vehicle to receive Ford's next gen EcoBoost 3.6 V6. At least the Explorer will be available with a turbo now, heh.

As far as the styling, from the side profile, it doesn't look all that bad. It takes the Basic Explorer styling theme and make it more attractive. For the front fascia, expect a modified three bar grille them, but more angular than current design. Wouldnt surprise me if Ford creates a new word for it, like Squircles (see ford fusion, thats what they call the headlights, i swear)

I hate to admit it like everyone else here, but unfortunately the Explorer has lived on as long as it could before this would happen. Sad day for us all.

BTW, there's always the option of a hunger strike in front of Ford HQ chained to our swapped axles....

 

[bigcoltrick]

Just curious wat would happen to this forum if Ford does release that. Can we not acknowledge it cuz that thing really shouldn't be called an explorer.

 

[Glen4X4]

Hmmm....idk, nothing would happen to the forum as far as closing I'm pretty sure bout that. Most of us just wouldn't know much about the build or technology of the new what they want to call "Explorer".

 

[Donner]

The actual model will probably look great... it's that image there that is shocking.

 

[Glen4X4]

It is kinda hard to tell what the final product will look like, it'd be nice if they'd make it like the 1st and 2nd gens that had some b*lls and ya wouldn't have to think twice about taking off road.

 

[SoBeLover]

Because unfortunately most of the explorers/mountaineers we love so much won't ever see a gravel road, let alone real rocks or mud.

Very true my friend. The fact of the matter whether we like it or not is that we are in the minority of Explorer buyers. Most don't even use their 4 wheel drive in the snow, even if equipped with it.

 

[MustangP51]

The thing that bothers me more then anything about this is that the Explorer will be stripped of its roots because of fuel economy. More and more vehicle designs today revolve around getting a decent amount of power out of an engine thats the size of a soda bottle, by adding forced induction and what not to the gasoline engine. I'm getting sick and tired of hearing about oil prices going up, while we have sufficient technology to produce Hydrogen powered vehicles. I'm not talking about Hydrogen Fuel Cells that power electric motors, but actual Hydrogen burning Internal Combustion Engines. Ford is one of the leaders in creating a hydrogen vehicle, but i haven't heard anything on it lately. I would love to see the Explorer given a new lease on life as being the first hydrogen powered SUV. Not to mention the only emission is heat and water, and hydrogen can be extracted from water using electrolysis. and any existing gasoline engine can be converted to run on hydrogen.

Check out these links, this is why I just don,t understand why manufactures seem to be dragging their feet.

http://media.ford.com/newsroom/feature_display.cfm?release=18794

http://www.ford.com/innovation/environmentally-friendly/hydrogen

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/11/15/la-2007-honda-shows-4th-generation-home-energy-station/

 

[Mickelsons]

Do you remeber the 70's (mustang II, duster, etc.) History unfortunatly repeats itself

 

[bam_bam1ca]

Sad-sad-sad -sad day for Ford truck owners. If this POS is the shape of things to come from Ford I'm either going to have to keep buying used GenII's for the rest of my days or break down and buy an FJ cruiser next time. I've always owned a Ford truck of one type or another for the last 30 years that I have been driving, but this is the end for me.

Ford, listen up, there is a reason that Toyota is now #2 and your market share is slipping (wanna try for 4th or 5th place next year??). They design a quality vehicle for their target customers and stay true to the badge. If I had wanted a unit body with a sewing machine motor I would have bought a Suzuki Samurai, but I didn't. Bronco, F150, F250, Explorer, none of these trucks delivered any less than I expected, and I was happy enough to own them.

Sh*t, now I'm left with a choice of a still decent used vehicle or a Toyota because every GM that I have ever bought has been an unexcusable piece of junk that was constantly broken down.

Oh well, I have two major TOYOTA plants within 30 minutes of my house; I might as well admit that they are now the new "domestic" as many of my friends work in their factories now instead of Ford in Oakville and Talbotville.

 

[Anime]

It just looks like an updated version along the same lines as the Bronco concept:

http://media.ford.com/newsroom/feature_display.cfm?release=16642

You can forget the Explorer ever being an on/off-road SUV ever again, Ford killed that idea years ago when the IRS replaced the solid axle. My guess would be they will keep using the Explorer name on whatever they sell as a "crossover", even though it's a car.

If they come out with anything new that would be close to an actual SUV, it's likely to be an updated Bronco, to compete with the Toyota FJ.

 

[Donner]

If the Bronco looks like that...

It just looks like an updated version along the same lines as the Bronco concept:

http://media.ford.com/newsroom/feature_display.cfm?release=16642

You can forget the Explorer ever being an on/off-road SUV ever again, Ford killed that idea years ago when the IRS replaced the solid axle. My guess would be they will keep using the Explorer name on whatever they sell as a "crossover", even though it's a car.

If they come out with anything new that would be close to an actual SUV, it's likely to be an updated Bronco, to compete with the Toyota FJ.

I would looooove to have the Bronco, but if it looks like a hummer/rover/fridge combo, no thanks! The toytaz Cruiser is everywhere around here... what are the sales figures on that model? Gotta be pretty high up there...

 

[Charlie]

I was thinking H3, crossed with ugly-ass concept explorer.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

the 2009 flex looks like the scion xb who thinks it does. Even my gf thinks so too she thought it was a scion xb as well.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Anyone see the Flex on Extreme Makeover- Home Edition tonight? I like it. Maybe a limited run vehicle, because the retro draw only seems to last 3-4 years, like the PT and the newer style 300 did.

 

[BWilliams]

I somewhat doubt that this will be the new Explorer, since the whole Ford line is going towards the Super Duty-esque chrome horizontal grille front.

Unfortunately, if this IS going to be the next Explorer, I wouldn't buy another one. My next vehicle would probably still be a Ford.. most likely the F-150, since the '09 concept looks amazing, a Super Duty, or an Expedition EL (if they don't turn that into some glorified minivan too). I want something that at least KINDA resembles a truck.