Filed under: Crossover, Ford
Ford has promised that the 2011 Ford Explorer would achieve a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy, and now we can put a pair of numbers with that claim. Environmental Protection Agency ratings show that the Explorer will average 25 miles per gallon on the highway and 17 mpg in the city; a big improvement over the last generation model’s 20/14 numbers. The fuel economy numbers for Ford’s newest offering also claims bragging rights over the Honda Pilot and the V6-powered Toyota Highlander.
Ford managed such a vast improvement by switching to a lighter front-drive-based setup with a more aerodynamic body. In fact, Ford claims that the Explorer’s new rear lip spoiler alone accounts for an efficiency gain of nearly one mpg. Ford’s new full-size SUV will also sport a far more efficient 292 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 with twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) mated to a six-speed auto transmission and the company’s new EPAS electronic power steering system.
Hitting 25 miles per gallon with a 292-horsepower engine is significant, but The Blue Oval promises more improvement once the turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder arrives early in 2011. The powerful little mill promises to be 30 percent more efficient than the 2010 model. The V6-powered Explorer is now in full production and headed to a dealer near you. Hit the jump to read over the Ford press release.
Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer Southern California Live Debut
[Source: Ford]
Continue reading 2011 Ford Explorer V6 achieves 25 mpg on highway
2011 Ford Explorer V6 achieves 25 mpg on highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Continue reading “2011 Ford Explorer V6 achieves 25 mpg on highway”
Inside, new seats have been fitted up front with reductions in side bolstering to accommodate an officer’s utility belt, and the gear shifter is now mounted on the column in order to provide space for computer equipment in the center console. Much like the Taurus Interceptor, Ford specifically designed the spacing between the seats to ensure that existing police equipment can be carried over to the new vehicles without issue. Things aren’t exactly luxurious in the rear seats (duh), but occupants out back do get their own climate control system (Ford says this is ideal for K9 units) as well as stab plates in the front seat backs to keep the driver and passenger safe.
The 2011 Explorer was also introduced live in various parts of the country, from the middle of New York City to Detroit to Los Angeles. We were in attendance on both ends of the coasts to cover the unveilings, each of which had an entirely different feel. The Discovery Channel’s Mike Rowe was on hand with CEO Alan Mulally to make the introductions in the Big Apple, while Ford’s President of the Americas Mark Fields did the honors amidst huge sand sculptures alongside the famous boardwalk in Venice Beach. You can see photos from both unveilings in the galleries below.
