Less than a month ago, we were the first ones to bring you exterior pictures of a 2011 Ford Explorer prototype — not just some cobbled up mule wear Taurus X and Flex body panels. Now we have the very first look at the next Explorer’s interior and engine compartment!
Inside we can see a steering wheel with several buttons that looks to be quite similar to the steering wheel in the Ford Fiesta. On the center stack there is number pad that looks to be for phone use, various HVAC and audio controls and a large, multi-directional button in the middle that we assume navigates most of the menus on the vehicle’s display. It should also be noted that several of the plastic surfaces you see do not have their final grainings applied. Expect three rows of seats, with the third row being jump seats.
The surprise under the hood is the lack of turbos! While we were expecting to see a 3.5L Ecoboost motor, what we see here is the regular 3.5L V6. After some further checking around, the two powertrains we now have confirmed for the Explorer are the 2.0L 4-cylinder Ecoboost and the regular, non-turbocharged 3.5L V6. While the twin-turbo, Ecoboost V6 could still find its way into the Explorer sometime after launch, it may only be part of police of package.
Code-named “U502,” this all-new Ford Explorer is in for a big change. While Ford’s iconic SUV has always ridden on a body-on-frame chassis, the 2011 model will switch to the D4 unibody platform. Ford’s D4 platform, a moderately updated version of the D3, currently underpins the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT. Ford is hoping for a significant weight drop, and in turn, 20-25% better fuel mileage, by switching the Explorer to a unibody setup.
Under the camouflage, we can see a typical Ford 3-bar grille. You also get a look at an impressive pair of projector headlights and trick set of LED taillights.
One thing you should not expect with this new Explorer is a Mercury or Lincoln variant. We’ve also learned there will be no Sport Trac model.
Watch for production to start in the second half of 2010 at Chicago’s Torrence Avenue assembly plant.
11/09, 10:15 AM
posted by:
tastyorange
now they’re putting toggle switches on steering wheels? Can’t people just DRIVE anymore?
11/09, 10:33 AM
posted by:
netguru2000
I don’t mind toggle switches on the steering wheel – drivers are either going to toggle through the cars features with their hands on the wheel or off if they put the controls elsewhere.
If the car looks like its illustrations, I’ll have to check it out. If it even looks a shred like the Taurus X, I’ll pass.
I like the leather wrapped shifter, other than that, still too hard to tell.
11/09, 10:41 AM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Pretty soon the entire center stack is going to disappear after being moved onto the steering wheel. So was the intent of putting all these buttons on the wheel basically to have space to add a phone dialing pad in the center space?
11/09, 11:16 AM
posted by:
Pauly
It looks like the interior has too many buttons, but other than that, it’s a much more modern layout than the plain jane interior it now has. I think this Explorer will compete much better against the Pilot and the Highlander, but it’ll probably cut into Edge sales unless the Edge is reconfigured to be more of a sport model like the new Honda Crosstour or an upscale sport model like the BMW X6.
11/09, 11:31 AM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
LOL Ford thinks toggle switches are going to put it into the same class as the GM Lambda’s they’ve got a huge disappointment coming to them.
Lambdas are the hottest selling vehicles right now because everyone knows they are tops in quality, reliability, dependibility and resale value, nobody is going to settle for a Ford copycat.
GM is Americas automaker and the American Revolution has Ford in its sights!
Be American. buy American. buy GM. Don’t buy Toyota or any other imports.
11/09, 11:36 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
I still think the pre 2002 Explorer/Sport and Sport Trac are some of the best body-on-frame SUVs ever produced. They still look good and held up rather well – Johnny you’re Ranger is a good truck.
11/09, 11:53 AM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
I just hope that this vehicle looks better than the mule. Cuz I hated the Taurus X. The flex is nice but why would Ford shoot their own foot with a vehicle that look identical to another currently on its line up? Just hope its atleast half the commercial success that it once was
11/09, 11:54 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
Notice the interior parts in this – you are seeing the next generation of Ford interior that’s similiar to the style of the European interior of the Mondeo and Fiesta. gone are the flat buttons of the Flex and even the new Taurus’s interior is from the previous design style.
Oh the industry moves so fast!
11/09, 12:11 PM
posted by:
armstealer
What’s the top gauge on the A-pillar?
11/09, 12:12 PM
posted by:
shaver
Hope you never need to change the spark plugs, you need to cut whole in the fire wall to get the back 3 in.
11/09, 12:17 PM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
Seriously. Ford absolutely MUST replace that horrible looking Flex with this. No one wants that grandpa wagon looking vehicle.
11/09, 12:23 PM
posted by:
shaver
That 2L Torbo would be perfect in a little truck or the new Focus.
11/09, 12:41 PM
posted by:
Zesty Honda
Let’s hope they fix the 4WD system on the new explorer. Currently the 4WD system blows, first hand experience.
11/09, 1:18 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
85Zingo, don’t worry about the Flex… just don’t turn your head while you’re driving past the Ford lot and you’ll miss most of them.
Jake, you’re right about the pre 2002 models, they were good rigs. And have fun at the game tonight… I’ll be watching on the tube.
shaver, don’t worry… I’m sure it will be in a lot of Fords soon enough. I just want to hear what the new Explorer is going to weigh. The Flex and the MKT are not lightweights by any stretch so you have to wonder how even an Ecoboost 4 banger is going to haul around two tons plus.
11/09, 1:25 PM
posted by:
vaitaal
I do not believe this is the new explorer, it looks like the latest pictures are of the refreshed Ford Edge – due out as a 2011 MY next year
11/09, 1:35 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
GO FORD!!!
They are the first US car company to actually be praised for having world class reliability!!!
GO FORD!!!
11/09, 3:16 PM
posted by:
The Realist
And Ford continues to fail.
Move along….just like all of Ford’s NA line up…there is nothing to see here.
11/09, 3:42 PM
posted by:
09Accord
What the hell is a GM Lambda? Does anyone even know what that is? Nice Ford keep it up, unlike GM thank you for not taking my money.
11/09, 4:12 PM
posted by:
Carfan77
I believe you are doing a large disservice to our auto companies by hounding vehicles that are camouflaged for good reason. I am sure these vehicles are not out there to tease reporters, but to get their necessary testing completed. Sharing design information with their competitors can severely hurt their business and our country when competing with foreign based manufacturers.
11/09, 4:14 PM
posted by:
Hazdaz
Really Ford, do you really need ANOTHER Crossover/SUV in your line up??
Really?!?
The Escape, Expedition, SportTrac, Edge and Flex are just not enough? And I am not even counting all the other crossovers or SUVs in your Mercury, Lincoln or Volvo divisions… if you do, that’s a total of 13 crossovers or SUVs that you already have on the market here in the US. Sure, many of them are not directly competing with this new Explorer, but this is getting kind of ridiculous.
Bring the European Kuga over and par down the number of models in this segment.
11/09, 4:14 PM
posted by:
greg
The new switches on the steering wheel are smart, why? Because what do most people use today when they text msg on their cell phones… their thumbs, perfect for steering wheels switch use…!
The 3.5 EcoBoost V6 is coming… later as a special edition… something new!
11/09, 4:34 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Buy GM your buying Mexican !! Buy Ford your buying American !!!
11/09, 4:42 PM
posted by:
muttonchops
@Hazdaz
Quit yer bitchin! The SportTrac is going away but nice try sticking it in there to pad your complaint. Toyota has just as many SUVs as Ford. And the Explorer has been around forever and isn’t going away but is getting better. Without the Explorer, Ford would have no 3 row SUV (not crossover) under the size of the Expedition. Nothing to compete with the SEVERAL models Toyota has in that range (Rav4, Highlander, 4Runner, Land Cruiser all have 3 available rows) Some people like to sit up higher and have some capability off road when needed. The Explorer fills that niche. The Flex competes with the Venza and is more car-like, the Edge and Escape have only 2 rows, and the Expedition is too big for most people.
I’ll admit the Edge and Escape have some overlap but I don’t think the lineup will stay that way for long. Not with the Kuga coming.
11/09, 5:32 PM
posted by:
Dingleberry Divas of Dallas
^^^
The RAV4 really has three rows?
I would still buy a Ford – but I didn’t know that. Hmm
11/09, 6:23 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
Holy crap that’s a damn nice interior.
11/09, 7:25 PM
posted by:
The Realist
“What the hell is a GM Lambda? Does anyone even know what that is? Nice Ford keep it up, unlike GM thank you for not taking my money.”
A “GM Lambda” is the platform on-which the award-winning Acadia, Outlook, Traverse, and Enclave ride.
And Ford did take “your” money……they took 5.9 billion in tax payer dollars…and part of that 3 billion that Cash for Clunkers wasted went to Ford as well.
Try again.
11/09, 7:29 PM
posted by:
DrFill
I don’t see what good the 3.5 Ecoboost is if you have to spend $40k to get it
Sounds a lot like the Volt to me
All Hype, no volume
Expect the inflatable seatbelts
This redesign shoulda came out 5 years ago
Exploder share might not be in the toilet, if they could manage their portfolio
They were at almost 400k a year 10 years ago, now?
>100k?
Good job!
DrFill
11/10, 12:57 AM
posted by:
fordman
Hey everybody,Ford SUCKS! Looks like regularFord crap to me,That’s why Mike Rowe advertises for Ford,he loves sh!t.
11/10, 1:27 AM
posted by:
beatusmongous
Dingleberry, the Rav4 has three rows as an option, and if you’re over 4 feet tall, you won’t sit in that third row.
http://wikicars.org/images/en/e/e6/Rav4biginterior.jpg
11/10, 4:51 AM
posted by:
fordman
Hey everybody,Ford SUCKS! As long as they keep the bag over it,it’s beautiful!
11/10, 8:43 AM
posted by:
SoTXFord
I suppose its hard to tell with all the camo, but I’m not digging the current body lines… Interior looks pretty techy with all those buttons.. Kinda wish more brands would embrace the touch screen…guess they’re more concerned with people getting distracted from the road with menus…
11/10, 9:43 AM
posted by:
mikeg
The photo’s with the bare sheet metal is still a Taurus X mule. They were taken some time last year. Note the snow on the side of Rotunda Drive. No snow yet this year here in Michigan.
11/10, 12:47 PM
posted by:
The Realist
“Buy Ford your buying American !!!”
Unless it’s a Fusion, Milan, MKZ, Fiesta, Edge, MKX, Flex, MKT, Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, Town Car, or Transit Connect.
11/11, 4:11 PM
posted by:
GMEATSASS
@Need more oil for GM
GM is in the tank pal. Not only did the company run itself into the ground, but nothing there has changed. The “award winning” Lambdas aren’t exactly setting the world on fire sales wise. They had a golden opportunity to build a great car in the Camaro and blew that too. Its okay, but hell it gets out handled by the solid rear axle Mustang and beats it in the 1/4 by an embaressingly small margin considering its engine size advantage. We won’t even discuss the shabby interior design.
Business as ususal at GM. GM = Garbage Manufacturing. We should rename it though to GGM. Government Garbage Manufacturing considering they’ve proven to have the “worst run finance department of any large company in history”.