The 2011 Ford Explorer will be a game changer in the SUV world, not only because of its impressive design and powertrain features, but because of the technology it has. Things like a Terrain Management System, Trailer Sway Control or even just the Blind Spot Indicator System make this one of the most high tech, and safest, SUV’s on the road.
In the midst of revealing the new 2011 Ford Explorer, Alan Mulally stopped by to talk Ford with Jim Cramer. Jim asks Alan about all of the happenings at Ford, what Ford has been doing to get out of the economic hole and what it’s doing to continue the upward momentum. What a great interview – take a look at the video.
Ford revealed the new 2011 Explorer yesterday throughout the US – from Venice Beach in Los Angeles, to Detroit (D-town!), and to New York City!
The new Explorer looks awesome – inside you’ll find a beautifully crafted and supple interior and outside you’ll find an exciting and sporty exterior. The vehicle comes with features galore, including an optional 4-cylinder, 2.0 liter, Ecoboost engine which will offer a 30% fuel economy improvement over the outgoing model’s V6. It even has an exclusive Terrain Management system which allows you to easily dial-in which type of terrain you’re traversing.
Ford setup a website for the new Explorer, and you can price yours out here.
I built mine in black, with a black grill, sweet! I outfitted mine with 20″ chrome rims, crossbars for my skis, and dual headrests LCD screens with all of the connection goodies so that I can hook up my PC and play Starcraft 2 while being chauffeured through the Rocky Mountains. Yes!
Ford Motor Company has been making huge strides the last few years to improve everything from quality and safety, to technology and fuel economy. On the last front, Ford has been pushing its EcoBoost technology. EcoBoost is the combination of direct gas injection and turbocharging. I know what you’re thinking, doesn’t turbocharging increase power and performance, thus decreasing fuel economy? Well the direct injection allows a cooler charge, allowing for higher compression ratios, which helps enable more power and reduced emissions. On top of that, the extra power generated will allow downsizing of the engine. Once you take weight out of the engine, you can take weight out of the car, and the cycle repeats itself.
The first applications of EcoBoost are on the Ford Flex and Taurus SHO, and Lincoln MKS and MKT. They feature a 3.5L V6 that produces the power of a V8 but the fuel economy of a V6. Soon Ford will be installing the 3.5L into the F-150 and a new 2.0L inline-four cylinder EcoBoost into the 2011 Edge and upcoming Explorer.
Why am I telling you all this mostly well-known information? Simple. To give you background into an independent survey of EcoBoost owners. You see, the RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan has conducted a survey of the 10,000 or so EcoBoost owners and the results are nothing short of amazing. Ford scored nearly 100% customer satisfaction on EcoBoost equipped vehicles. Those vehicles are also exceeding market projections. Having driven all of the EcoBoost vehicles myself I can tell you that this is no fluke. These powertrains are the real deal; they deliver improved performance and fuel economy. For more details, head on over to Autoblog.
(Image source: Ford)
Check out Alan Mulally’s interview on the Morning Joe!
Alan Mulally, Ford’s CEO, announces 1,200 new jobs at Chicago Assembly Plant to build the next generation Ford Explorer.
Ford adding 1,200 jobs at Chicago Assembly to build next-gen Explorer
The Chicago Assembly plant current builds the new Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS sedans, and employs around 1,400 people. Ford’s Chicago Heights stamping plant current employs around 750 people. Why am I telling you all of this? Simply to point out the impact of Ford’s announcement that they will be adding 1,200 more jobs to the area to build the all-new next generation Explorer. The new Explorer is expected to be based off a unibody car platfrom and should be on sale late this year. The styling should be based off the Explorer America concept you see above.
In addition to the new jobs, Ford is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in the area to make improvements to its plants to handle the new vehicle. For more details, head on over to Chicago Business.
(Image source: Ford)
A 2011 Ford Explorer prototype seen running around Michigan!
From the pictures you can see at Autoblog, this prototype has evolved a good deal along its development path since the mules were spotted running around in Flex/Taurus X bodies. I’m really excited to see how this more traditional SUV-looking crossover differs from its platform-mate, the Flex. Stay tuned for the latest on yet another amazing product from the American 3.
(Image source: Autoblog and KGP Photography)
