What are the details surrounding the Explorer Sport?

[JPW12]

I have a 2013 Lincoln MKS with the Ecoboost engine (V6, twin turbos) so I'm somewhat familiar with the engine in a 2015 Sport Explorer I'm considering for my wife. The problem is, for the life of me, I can't figure out the details of the transmission and suspension.

First, does the Sport Explorer come with any kind of adaptive suspension? My Lincoln has this and its pretty nice. It helps keep the car very flat in the corners. Based on my research the Explorer Sport does not have such a thing. It simply has a sport-tuned suspension that appears to be more robust than the base, XLT, and the Limited. Is this accurate? I did notice the dial in the console of the Sport where you could adjust for hill descent, sand, mud, etc.. Seriously? Sand? Personally, I'm willing to bet hardly anyone uses this dial. I don't ever see myself deviating from Normal unless someone tells me a reason to consider an alternative.

Secondly, in my Lincoln I can choose between SPORT and NORMAL (Drive) transmission. The Sport transmission shifts pretty quick and you can tell the difference. Does the Explorer Sport have something like this? It appears to me that on the stick it only has DRIVE (Normal) and Manual, which I think allows for the paddle shifters, but I don't see anything for SPORT. Is this accurate?

Thanks for any insight. I've looked in the owner's manuals and done Google searches and can't really find a definitive answer to these questions.

 

[613GT500]

"Sport" tuned suspension and a lower ride height; is about the only other thing that sets the ExSport apart from other trims.
In regards to driving modes, yes, there is an "S" mode than can be selected and you can use the paddle shifters to up/down shift.

 

[JPW12]

"Sport" tuned suspension and a lower ride height; is about the only other thing that sets the ExSport apart from other trims.
In regards to driving modes, yes, there is an "S" mode than can be selected and you can use the paddle shifters to up/down shift.

Thanks. So no adaptive suspension. When you say it has an "S" mode...on my Lincoln this is still an automatic transmission, just sportier. Are you saying the "S" mode on the Sport Explorer is manual where you have to change gears via the paddle shifts and not a more aggressive automatic transmission?

 

[Zodiac]

Thanks. So no adaptive suspension. When you say it has an "S" mode...on my Lincoln this is still an automatic transmission, just sportier. Are you saying the "S" mode on the Sport Explorer is manual where you have to change gears via the paddle shifts and not a more aggressive automatic transmission?

You can use the paddle shifters in either drive or sport mode.

I think all sport mode does is change some of the shifting points.

See here:
https://owner.ford.com/how-tos/vide...2017&brightcoveId=2710214743001&autoplay=true

 

[peterk9]

I have a 2013 Lincoln MKS with the Ecoboost engine (V6, twin turbos) so I'm somewhat familiar with the engine in a 2015 Sport Explorer I'm considering for my wife. The problem is, for the life of me, I can't figure out the details of the transmission and suspension.

First, does the Sport Explorer come with any kind of adaptive suspension? My Lincoln has this and its pretty nice. It helps keep the car very flat in the corners. Based on my research the Explorer Sport does not have such a thing. It simply has a sport-tuned suspension that appears to be more robust than the base, XLT, and the Limited. Is this accurate? I did notice the dial in the console of the Sport where you could adjust for hill descent, sand, mud, etc.. Seriously? Sand? Personally, I'm willing to bet hardly anyone uses this dial. I don't ever see myself deviating from Normal unless someone tells me a reason to consider an alternative.

Secondly, in my Lincoln I can choose between SPORT and NORMAL (Drive) transmission. The Sport transmission shifts pretty quick and you can tell the difference. Does the Explorer Sport have something like this? It appears to me that on the stick it only has DRIVE (Normal) and Manual, which I think allows for the paddle shifters, but I don't see anything for SPORT. Is this accurate?

Thanks for any insight. I've looked in the owner's manuals and done Google searches and can't really find a definitive answer to these questions.

No adaptive suspension. There are several differences between the Sport and the other trims. There are also several features that are not available on the Sport. Using the 'Search' feature I found the following post; http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...een-15-sport-and-limited.419363/#post-3371022

Peter

 

[reserved50]

I honestly don't think the ride in the Sport feels any sportier. No adaptive suspension, just regular hydraulic charged struts with coil over springs. You probably will never take out of Normal mode but I guess that knob makes the center console look a little fancy. Besides SEMI manually paddle shifting the automatic there is no sport shift mode, if you have a tow package with a tow button it will shift similar to a vehicle with sport transmission mode, higher rpms shifts etc. Theres a thread around here that says you can add that button later and it will change shifts points if yours doesn't come with it.