Ford Explorer America concept
At the forthcoming Detroit Motor Show Ford will show off a concept clearly aimed at the States: the aptly named Explorer America. But it won’t be the traditional yank tank as we know it…
Gone is the body-on-frame chassis, replaced by a unibody construction. Off-road and towing ability is only described as ‘moderate’. Heck, there’s even a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine…
It’s part of Ford’s move to go green, and the Explorer is essentially a showcase for the company's new EcoBoost technology. EcoBoost is a combination of direct injection and turbocharging, which Ford reckons can cut emissions by 15 percent, and fuel consumption by 20 percent. But power will also increase, despite the downsizing of the engines: the 2.0-litre produces 275bhp and 280lb ft, while the new 3.5-litre V6 puts out 340bhp. Ford hopes to produces 500,000 EcoBoost equipped cars a year starting from 2009.
The smaller engines, and other lightweight materials mean Ford reckons the V6 Explorer weighs 68kg less than today’s equivalent, while economy is also helped by a six-speed auto and electric power steering. In fact, Ford wants at least 80 percent of its cars by 2012 to come with electric power steering, which the company believes can account for a five percent fuel economy saving.
