2011 Ford Explorer - built on Taurus/Flex platform

[SpAz]

You are right about what Ford is doing lately but back in 2005, Chrysler made a great comeback with the Chrysler 300 and 300C. Since then they've lost all that footing to Chev and Ford...... Of all the domestic companies, Ford is by far the most exciting RIGHT NOW with their current product offering. ****, I've never owned a Ford before the SHO! But until the SHO, their offerings in the "performance sedan" market were just not there...... Also, in regards to their truck sales.... the only reason for that is the cheap offerings to the fleet market. The Dodge Ram is a far superior truck in every way.

I agree with you that Chrysler made a great move with the 300.

Ford may drop the ball with their edge on the market right now. It is generally inevitable that someone loses the grasp on a market.

Different strokes for different folks on the trucks. I personally think Dodge's quality with cars stops after the engine. The interrior and quality is generally garbage. The F150 Platinum is 10x greater than the Laramie. But like I said, different strokes for different folks.

 

[hawkeye18]

The best product Chrysler had (at the time) was the PT Cruiser. They practically invented a new market segment and it was hotter than J-Lo's ass at the time. Then... they f***ed it all away. But, they f***ed everything away, which is why they're in the spot they are now (Italian).

 

[roland]

As for only Ford not being stagnant, how long did it take them to get a high performance sports sedan back on the road?

So I guess the XJ-R, S Type R, S60 R, Mazdaspeed6 all don't count?

Not sure what your definition of "high performance" is, but you could argue that Ford (the brand) has never had a "high performance" sports sedan, the SHO could always give an E34 M5 a run for its money in a straight line but never in a corner. As far as I know, I don't think any sedan with a Ford badge could match any M5 on a track.

 

[SeanMc]

Ford nails it again, just like Jeep and GM already did...

As for only Ford not being stagnant, how long did it take them to get a high performance sports sedan back on the road?

They did it when they could afford it. GM just did it, and then begged the government to bail them out of their mistakes.

 

[thebigjimsho]

They did it when they could afford it. GM just did it, and then begged the government to bail them out of their mistakes.

No one could predict just how bad the economy was going to get. GM's mistakes were the same as Ford until Mulally pulled back the reigns and limited Ford's development and simplified the company's assets. GM instead carried on making quality new cars and refreshing almost every car in every marque. If they played hardball with the unions, they'd never have gone bankrupt.

Credit Ford's ability to stay solvent, but they've had to play catch up over the last few years. They're in great shape, but once GM is privately owned again, it will be solvent and viable with top of their segment cars in all marques.

 

[thebigjimsho]

So I guess the XJ-R, S Type R, S60 R, Mazdaspeed6 all don't count?

Not sure what your definition of "high performance" is, but you could argue that Ford (the brand) has never had a "high performance" sports sedan, the SHO could always give an E34 M5 a run for its money in a straight line but never in a corner. As far as I know, I don't think any sedan with a Ford badge could match any M5 on a track.

Someone had to offer the counterpoint to some of the over the top claims. Those are all nice sedans. But GM has been offering superior sports sedans for 7 years now...

 

[thebigjimsho]

In comparison to....?

Oh, I don't know...

The Malibu, the Regal(GS FTW), and maybe what's in my sig...

 

[typhoon5000]

Just out of curiosity, what is the new SHO rated to tow? I know the Gen 1/2 MTX was rated for 1,000lbs and the ATX was rated for diddly squat. I should think the new ones would be at least that, maybe even 2,000lbs.

IIRC It's rated for either 1200 or 1500lbs.

Looks like a huge improvement with the unibody design; body on frame is old school, as the Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the best off road SUV's, particulaly the new 2011, and Jeep has been using unibody since 2005. Just wHy is the 2.0 4 cylinder ecoboost in this huge heavy thing instead of the 3.5 which fits the same platform ? I was considering one until it was announced that no 3.5 TT is available. the v6 will be lucky to break 8 sec. to 60 with all that weight.

I don't think the 2.0L EcoBoost will have any problems getting the new Explorer around because with a turbo, intercooler and direct injection, the 2.0L makes 17 MORE HP and only 4 ft-lbs less than the outgoing 4.0L V6, but it also get's 30% better fuel economy. It also reaches peak torque at only 1750rpm and keeps it all of the way up to 4000rpm, where customers spend 90% of the time in. This means off the line and passing ability at anytime or any speed with almost no lag due to the small turbo, DI and twin independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT). All of this plus the new Explorer is on average 100lbs lighter than it's current sibling when equipped similarly. It's actually lighter than the Honda Pilot and Toyota 4Runner.

All of this, plus the NA 3.5L 24V DOHC V6 is standard with 290hp, which is the same as the outgoing 4.6L 3V V8, yet also gets 20% better fuel economy.

If you want a 3 row hotrod, get a Flex EcoBoost or Lincoln MKT EcoBoost. Does one really need a vehicle with truck tires and a high CG with 355+hp? It doesn't sound too fun to me because when you get to a turn you'll realize this thing won't stop or handle well enough for it's power. The only SUVs that have that kind of power that can pull it off cost upwards of $70k and usually have expensive uber-wide high performance tires on them.

Anyways, the beauty of the D platform is if Ford did ever find a good reason for a 3.5L EcoBoost Explorer, than can easily adapt it into the engine bay and have it in production within one model year.

2011 Explorer Technical Specs
2011 Explorer Overview Article

 

[SHO U UP]

Just out of curiosity, what is the new SHO rated to tow? I know the Gen 1/2 MTX was rated for 1,000lbs and the ATX was rated for diddly squat. I should think the new ones would be at least that, maybe even 2,000lbs.

1,000 pound tow rating buddy.

 

[PhantomX]

Wow that looks sharp I like it. You can defintely see the Taurus blood running thru the whole design though, but that's not really a bad thing. Everyone that checks out my car is floored when they find out it's a Taurus. This is Ford's time to shine and put the screws to the competition and they are doing a great job. I've been really impressed with them as of the last couple years. The build quality has been great, interiors are really nice and they are well optioned. That's why I own 2 of them now. The past couple years it's been mostly imports (VW Jetta, R32, CC, Saab, Jaguar, etc) and now Ford is back in my garage (I've owned tons of Lincolns, Mustangs etc in the past as well).

 

[SeanMc]

No one could predict just how bad the economy was going to get. GM's mistakes were the same as Ford until Mulally pulled back the reigns and limited Ford's development and simplified the company's assets. GM instead carried on making quality new cars and refreshing almost every car in every marque. If they played hardball with the unions, they'd never have gone bankrupt.

Credit Ford's ability to stay solvent, but they've had to play catch up over the last few years. They're in great shape, but once GM is privately owned again, it will be solvent and viable with top of their segment cars in all marques.

That is what saved them. Ford has a solid lineup of cars people want. Focus, Fusion, Escape, Edge, Mustang, F150, etc are all great vehicles (I left the Taurus out on purpose, good car, yes, fun to drive, no). When you go to the UK, you will be amazed that Ford outsells pretty much everyone there. I couldn't believe the amount of Focii, Ka, Mondeos, Transport vans, and Pumas I saw.

 

[way2evil]

And I notice a lot of the Gen 4 guys don't venture into other areas of the forum at all...

Good.

Ford nails it again, just like Jeep and GM already did...

As for only Ford not being stagnant, how long did it take them to get a high performance sports sedan back on the road?

You mean the Grand Cherokee? If you look close it has the same interior as every other Chrysler.

And GM? GM doesn't do anything right anymore. Except Corvettes.

 

[frosho]

And GM? GM doesn't do anything right anymore. Except Corvettes and Cadillacs.

Fixed.

 

[shobote]

IIRC It's rated for either 1200 or 1500lbs.






If you want a 3 row hotrod, get a Flex EcoBoost or Lincoln MKT EcoBoost. Does one really need a vehicle with truck tires and a high CG with 355+hp? It doesn't sound too fun to me because when you get to a turn you'll realize this thing won't stop or handle well enough for it's power. The only SUVs that have that kind of power that can pull it off cost upwards of $70k and usually have expensive uber-wide high performance tires on them.


THe Flex is not an SUV but a van for on road only. The Explorer is an SUV but will be slow, underpowered with either the V6 or the (oddly) more expensive Ecoboost 2.0 in comparison to my Jeep Grand Cherokee Hemi; has CAI, TB, SuperChip, with around 390 HP, HD end links, SRT8 sway bars, Bilsteins, and handles and corners well. As an example Here is a Jeep staying ahead of a Subie STI running hot laps at Gingerman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiPM5hHmXnA

 

[SeanMc]

Looking at that video, I'm going to say the subaru driver couldn't, well, drive.

 

[way2evil]

Fixed.

No, you ruined my statement. The CTS-V is an overhyped under delivered POS.

 

[SeanMc]

No, you ruined my statement. The CTS-V is an overhyped under delivered POS.

You sir, are high.

 

[frosho]

That over-hyped POS was the fastest production sedan to go 'round the Nürburgring before the [ugly-as-sin] Panamera beat it out by a few seconds.

 

[yamahaSHO]

The SHO really IS that big... Go figure.



On a side note, I think the new Explorer looks pretty good.



EDIT:

As an example Here is a Jeep staying ahead of a Subie STI running hot laps at Gingerman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiPM5hHmXnA

Tis not an STi. He had a 2.0L keep up with him. (factory rated in the 224hp range)

 

[SpAz]

Oh, I don't know...

The Malibu, the Regal(GS FTW), and maybe what's in my sig...

I was waiting for you to point out the Cadillac. I'll take my Ford car over a government vehicle any day.

If GM made such quality cars or if they were such a quality company the US Department of Treasury wouldn't own 61% of the company.

And btw, Jaguar produced 10x better sedans than GM while under Ford ownership. Just sayin...