2011 Ford Explorer

2011 Ford Explorer

After numerous spy shots and a long teaser campaign, Ford has officially unveiled the 2011 Explorer.

Looking like a Taurus-ifed Freestyle, the Explorer features a bold grille, black A-pillars, plastic body cladding, and a clamshell hood.

Inside, the cabin boasts a Volkswagen-ish design, a console-mounted shifter, and seating for up to seven.

Promo Video

The Explorer America concept is built on a unibody platform to reduce weight and improve driveability, migrating from the body-on-frame platform of the current Explorer.

It is designed for up to six passengers, and can tow 3,500 pounds (1,588 kg), (less than half the 7,115 pounds (3,227 kg) capacity of the previous generation) while improving fuel economy by 20 to 30 percent relative to the current V6 Explorer.

The powertrain packages in the concept vehicle include a two-liter four cylinder turbocharged direct injection EcoBoost gas engine with 275 horsepower (205 kW) and 280 ft·lbf (380 N·m) of torque, and a 3.5 liter V6 version EcoBoost with 340 horsepower (250 kW) and up to 340 ft·lbf (460 N·m) of torque.