2011 Ford Explorer SUV: Unveiled

Ford revolutionizes the SUV market by revealing their 2011 Explorer to www.WatchMojo.com, and explains how the new model has been redesigned for safety, comfort, and – most importantly – fuel efficiency.

Explorer ’11 orders double forecasts

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Explorer ’11 orders double forecasts
Ford Motor Co. has about 15,000 orders — about double its projections — for the 2011 Ford Explorer that isn’t slated to hit showrooms until the new year.

Read more on Detroit News

Ford gives the 2010 Explorer Sport Trac 2 Engine Options

The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is a four door truck based on the Ford Explorer SUV platform. The Explorer Sport Trac is available with two engine options: a base 4.0L V6 and an optional 4.6L V8. The 4.0L V6 powerplant is a single overhead cam unit that utilizes a sequential fuel induction system and two valves per cylinder. The only transmission option is a five speed automatic transmission that sends the powerplant’s power throught the rear wheels. Horsepower output is rated by Ford at two hundred ten at five thousand one hundred revolutions per minute; torque figures are given by Ford as two hundred fifty-four pound feet at three thousand seven hundred revolutions per minute. Payload capacity of this vehicle is rated at one thousand three hundred ninety pounds, and towing capacity is given by Ford as seven thousand one hundred sixty pounds. Fuel economy figures are rated at fourteen miles per gallon in city driving, and twenty miles per gallon on the highway.
Plumping for the V8 increases the horsepower output to two hundred ninety-two, and decreases the fuel economy ratings to thirteen miles per gallon in city driving and nineteen miles per gallon in highway driving. The list of standard equipment includes air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, illuminated keyless remote control, a leather-wrapped tilt steering wheel, and intermittent wipers. The U.S. government has awarded the Explorer Sport Trac five star ratings in driver front, passenger front, front side, and rear side crash testing. Standard safety features on the Explorer Sport Trac are traction control, child door locks, and an engine immobilizer.

2010 Ford Explorer with a V8 engine

The Ford Explorer is a mid-size SUV which has been manufactured and sold by the Ford Motor Company since 1990.  The 2010 Ford Explorer is the last model in the 4th generation of Explorers.  The 4th generation began with the 2006 model.  In the first few years of the Explorer, annual sales neared 450,000, but like many cars sales have dropped considerably.

The 2010 Ford Explorer comes standard with a 4.0 liter, six cylinder engine which generates up to 210 horsepower and 254 pound feet of torque.  For those who select either the Eddie Bauer or Limited trim, a 4.0 liter eight cylinder engine can be added for an additional price.  The 4.0 liter V8 gets an impressive 292 horsepower and 300 pound feet or torque.  Both engines come with an optional six speed automatic transmission.  Both also come standard with 2 wheel drive, but all wheel drive can be added for an additional cost. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not yet released their estimates for the 2010 Ford Explorer.  Since the 2010 model has similar engines to the 2009 model, it is safe to assume that EPA estimates will be similar.  With two wheel drive, the 2009 Ford Explorer V6 got 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 miles per gallon on the highway.  With a V8, the Explorer had slightly better fuel efficiency measures of 15 miles per gallon in the city and 21 miles per gallon on the highway.  For those who opt for the all wheel drive Explorer, fuel efficiency fell slightly.

Starting in 2011, Ford plans on producing the 5th generation of the Explorer.  Ford plans to introduce the car as the new Explorer America.  This car will have different engine options and is expected to have much improved fuel efficiency. 
 

 

Fuel Efficiency In The 2010 Ford Explorer

The 2010 Ford Explorer comes in four different versions with four different sets of fuel efficiency numbers. Generally speaking, they get between 13 and 15 miles per gallon in the city, and 19 to 21 miles per gallon on the highway. With so many models there is bound to be a level that suits the average SUV consumer.  Let’s look at which model you need.

2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD with 4.6L V8 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission out-powers and out-performs its more leisurely 4.0L V6 with 5-speed automatic in both power and fuel economy. Not only does the V8 get the best gas mileage at 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway, but it creates the least amount of CO2 as well, at 10.8 tons per year.

Of course, the 2WD may not offer up the power needed for towing and the oomph necessary to get around in northern winters. The 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4WD also comes with V8 and V6 varieties. Once again, the V8 comes out on top. At 14 mpg city/19 mpg highway, it also creates less CO2 annually.

The 4.0L engine gets 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway in 2WD and a meager 13 mpg city/19 mpg highway in 4WD.

Fuel efficiency in the 2010 Ford Explorer doesn’t represent stellar numbers for sure. Other SUVs get better (and worse) mileage, and hybrids definitely have the advantage. The 2010 Ford Escape hybrid, for instance, reaches 30+ mpg in the city and on the highway. When used for towing, or driven aggressively, the Explorer – or any SUV – will suffer from lower fuel efficiency.

2011 Ford Explorer

The 2011 Ford Explorer has been redesigned from bottom to top, inside and out, to reflect a contemporary vision of what customers today want in a modern SUV. “Ford has changed everything about the all-new Explorer, yet it’s still instantly and instinctively recognizable as a Ford Explorer,” said Moray Callum, executive director of North America Design. “We believe that’s because it’s a contemporary interpretation of the same capabilities Ford Explorer has always stood for, without compromise.” “The all-new Ford Explorer combines bold, evocative design language with a wind- and noise-cheating aerodynamic shape on a rigid unibody platform,” said Melvin Betancourt, design manager. “Explorer has the height, stance, ground clearance and SUV cues that clearly indicate its off-the-beaten-path capabilities.” The Ford Explorer design team was challenged with reinterpreting the segment-defining icon as a modern, contemporary SUV for the 21st century. “The new Ford Explorer starts with proportions and stance,” Betancourt said. “Its agile, fluid lines combine with the muscular toned sheet metal, delivering athletic good looks and unsurpassed aerodynamics. The liftgate spoiler lip and the flexible lower air dam – integrated into the fascia – harmonize to provide wind tunnel-proven fuel economy. Blackened rockers lift the eye, denoting Ford Explorer’s rugged four-wheel-drive capability and driver empowerment.” Strong, body-color C-pillars and blackened D-pillars are traditional Ford …

The Explorer Box by Compact Camping Concepts

A DIY or ready to roll tent topped camping trailer for smaller fuel efficient vehicles at a dry weight of 350 to 400 pounds!

Ford hopes ride on new Explorer

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Read more on Detroit News

Mario Capizzi 94 Explorer DOUBLE gas mileage Part 2 of 2

This Explorer was modified in December, getting an initial gain of about 20%. Knowing how the OBD-I Systems respond (at least 75% gains) I diagnosed it with a vacuum leak. After three months, I FINALLY got the opportunity to correct for that. The result is clear and decisive. He got over 100% gains-and that was while pounding the accelerator under all conditions. Heavy acceleration at take-off and tromping it on the highway. Power AND efficiency went up dramatically! For more information, E-mail me! I am Gadgetman. I AM responsible!