Building on 25 years of innovation and sales leadership, a new Explorer is on its way with even more smart technology, a new 2.3-liter EcoBoost® engine and an all-new Platinum series. The 2016 Ford Explorer arrives next summer.

2016 Ford Explorer (Photo: Business Wire)

2016 Ford Explorer (Photo: Business Wire)

The new Explorer, revealed today at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, builds on the strength and leadership of Ford’s new vehicle lineup – the freshest in the industry – and provides SUV customers even more versatility, capability, smart technology and efficiency.

“Explorer helped define how the world thinks about SUVs,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president and chief technical officer, Global Product Development. “Explorer is the centerpiece of Ford’s global utility vehicle lineup because it delivers an ideal combination of form and function. With the utility vehicle market growing globally, we are delivering an even stronger lineup to win over even more customers.”

Introduced as a 1991 model, Explorer featured generous interior space customers were looking for, and was engineered specifically for people seeking adventure for their families and a way to express their individuality. For a quarter century, Explorer has been America’s best-selling SUV.

More than 7 million Explorers have been sold in the United States alone, and the vehicle is now available in more than 100 markets across the globe. Ford expects to ship approximately 56,000 Explorers to markets outside of the United States this year, in response to global demand for utility vehicles.

SUVs are the fastest-growing segment in the world, with demand up 88 percent since 2008, according to IHS Automotive, which forecasts market information and competitive data on the global automotive industry.

In Europe alone, the utility vehicle segment has grown 72 percent since 2008, with large utilities up 21 percent. Ford’s share of the European market went from 9 percent in 2008 to 19 percent in 2013. Utility vehicles accounted for 23 percent of global sales for the Ford brand in 2013, up from 17 percent a year earlier. Ford expects utility vehicle sales will grow to 29 percent by 2020.

“Customers love Explorer, and expect this SUV to lead the way in innovation, performance and fun,” said Arie Groeneveld, chief engineer for the new Explorer. “It’s a tall order, but we’re aiming to build the best SUV in the world.”

More smart technology, new engine for new adventures

The new Explorer offers more available features and technologies that enhance the driving experience. These include:

  • Front and rear cameras with washers: Both front and rear cameras have wide-angle lenses and come equipped with a washer – an industry-first
  • Enhanced active park assist with perpendicular park assist, park-out assist and semi-automatic parallel parking: The system uses ultrasonic sensors and electric power-assisted steering to help drivers with parallel parking and perpendicular parking maneuvers. Enhanced active park assist now includes park-out assist to help a driver pull out of parallel parking spots. The system controls the steering wheel, while the driver operates the accelerator and brake pedals, and shifts the vehicle into gear
  • Smart-charging USB ports throughout: Located in the front and rear of the vehicle are USB ports to charge smart devices
  • Hands-free liftgate: A customer need only kick his or her leg below the center of the rear bumper to unlock and raise the liftgate
  • Industry-exclusive 500-watt Sony Audio System: Explorer Platinum will be the first vehicle to get an all-new 500-watt Sony Audio System with Live Acoustics™ and Clear Phase™ technology
  • Active Grille Shutters: Upper and lower fascia openings close at highway speeds to reduce drag. At low speeds, the shutters open to deliver airflow to cool the powertrain. Shutters allow for larger front end openings to cool the engine while still reducing drag
  • Air curtains: Standard air curtains create a high-pressure region of air that impacts the outer surface of the wheels and tires. The result is airflow held close to the vehicle body, minimizing drag

All-new EcoBoost engine

Customers will get even more capability with the new Explorer, thanks to an available 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine delivering at least 270 horsepower and at least 300 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost replaces the 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder offered on the current model. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost is available for base, XLT and Limited Explorer models.

The new powerplant is expected to give customers 12.5 percent more horsepower and 11 percent more torque over the 2.0-liter EcoBoost – without sacrificing fuel economy. It improves highway passing times 10 percent at speeds between 55 mph and 75 mph.

The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine for base, XLT and Limited models – with an estimated 290 horsepower and estimated 255 lb.-ft. of torque – is paired with a six-speed SelectShift® Automatic transmission. Explorer Sport and Platinum edition Explorer get a standard 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with an estimated 365 horsepower and estimated 350 lb.-ft. of torque, also mated with a six-speed SelectShift Automatic transmission.

New Platinum series

The all-new Platinum series elevates Explorer to a premium level, with real wood and brushed aluminum accents, Nirvana leather, multicontour seats and an all-new 500-watt Sony Audio System.

The Explorer Platinum interior incorporates brushed aluminum and satin-finished ash wood in multi-piece appliqués on all door panels and the instrument panel. The wood-trimmed, leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel includes unique stitching that matches the stitching used throughout the rest of the interior.

Nirvana leather also wraps the instrument panel, console armrests, quilted door bolsters and upper door trim. The instrument cluster features a large 10-inch digital display that’s supported with an analog display – a first for a Ford-brand vehicle.

Innovation comes standard on the new Platinum Explorer, with features like an enhanced version of active park assist with park-out assist. The system helps the driver parallel park or perpendicular park using ultrasonic sensors and electric power-assisted steering. Park-out assist uses sensors to assist in pulling out of parallel parking spots. The driver handles shifting duties, and operates the brake and accelerator pedals, while the system steers the vehicle in or out of the parking spot and warns the driver when to stop.

Intelligent four-wheel drive: Ready for any adventure

Explorer’s intelligent four-wheel drive with Terrain Management System™ reassesses conditions about 20 times faster than the blink of an eye, providing precise handling and traction.

Intelligent four-wheel drive continuously monitors wheel speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle to determine vehicle conditions and driver intent. The system then determines the optimal amount of front and rear torque to prevent slip from even occurring, which helps keep the vehicle sure-footed on virtually any terrain. When in sand, grass or gravel mode, the antilock braking system changes its pulse rate, which allows material to build up in front of the wheels, acting as a doorstop of sorts to help slow momentum.

To help maintain efficiency, in most steady-state cruising conditions the new Explorer equipped with intelligent four-wheel drive seamlessly and quickly transfers torque between the front and rear wheels. The system collects hundreds of pieces of data from various vehicle systems, such as rates of acceleration and turning, wheel speed, steering wheel angle and accelerator pedal position.

Using a dial located on the center console, the customer can shift on the fly, selecting one of four terrain management modes – normal, snow, sand or mud – to set how the engine, transmission, brakes and the four-wheel-drive system will operate. A fifth setting is for navigating hills.

On sale in North America next year

The new Ford Explorer remains true to its SUV roots and builds on its strengths – offering even more smart technology, capability and versatility, with comfort and convenience features throughout.

From the road-to-trail-ready Explorer Sport to the refined styling of the Platinum edition Explorer, consumers can select whichever series best fits their next adventure.

The new Ford Explorer will be built at Chicago Assembly Plant.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 189,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

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