New Explorer to be Car Based

The Ford Explorer sport-utility vehicle has been the Marlboro Man of personal transportation, symbolic of a tall, rugged ride on the open American road or rutted byway.

But automakers are toning down the SUV's macho spirit, partly in deference to those who say the hulking vehicles are wasteful, costly or dangerous. So the Explorer, the vehicle that ignited the SUV trend in the early 1990s, is getting a makeover.

Expect something more in touch with the reality of U.S. stop-and-go traffic and less imbued with the aura of rough and ready.

``A lot of engineering that goes into the current Explorer lets it go off-road,'' said Rebecca Lindland, automotive analyst for Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts. ``If you don't need that you can make it more comfortable, easier to get in and out of, easier to steer.''
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d35442 - 1/2/2007 11:54:46 AM

0 Boost

It kinda makes sense, considering how many vehicles they make from the Mazda6 and the European Ford Focus platforms. I would say; Mustang, Interceptor(Galaxy), Lincoln sedan/ coupe/ convertible, Explorer/ Sport Trac/ Ranger/Mountaineer/ B-Series. There, that should be enough to spread the cost around. I realize that the more they build from it the more the inital cost but at least put the Explorer on the mustang platform because they already share engines and 1 tranny.

mstangpny07 - 1/2/2007 12:14:48 PM

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The Explorer is so underestimated. It has a great ride, very safe, powerful, and very quiet. Keep it on a ladder frame.

d35442 - 1/2/2007 1:36:43 PM

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I agree. I'm actually looking at buying a v-8 '07 Explo, moving up from my '99 MustangGT. I'm still doing research on a Ford Racing/ Whipplecharger as in an "Explorer GT" of my own. I'm just saying that if they're going to do it, don't do it on a FWD engine sideways type of chassis a la Freestlye with no v-8. I read a couple of years ago that they were going to cancle the Freestlye and move the Explorer to that type of chassis to take the crossover bait.

1970toyotamarc - 1/2/2007 6:01:13 PM

+1 Boost

How many more CUVs does Ford need. Why can't domestic mfrs make a business case for a basic mid sized SUV that sells 100-200k a year. GM and now Ford want to abandon this segment for CUVs. (Granted GM needs some decent CUVs, but Ford has plenty.) Toyota and Nissan must be thrilled. They have excellent CUVs, but continually upgrade the 4Runner and Pathfinder, knwoing they will sell less than 100k. So go ahead For and GM. Leave the segment. Your CUVs will still be no match for the next generation Highlander, Murano and whatever else is in the pipeline. Meanwhile the the 4Runner and Pathfinder will be left fighting only Jeep for mid sized truck-based SUVs. Sounds good to me.

truckmen - 1/2/2007 8:33:24 PM

+1 Boost

The current Explorer can not go off road better than your average all wheel drive minivan so there are no tears to shed for the people that think they are loosing something!I drove a 2003 with a V-8 and it was a great car for hauling the family around safely. It was never a truck! Ford is just marketing the Explorer differently! They are making it a unibody and improving a few things for the better, lighter, better gas mielage....

delan - 1/3/2007 1:35:28 AM

+1 Boost

So what, pray tell is the purpose of the Edge.

sold2early - 1/3/2007 10:39:59 AM

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Ford, you're being far too logical here. Sure, a car based SUV makes more sense for 99.99% of the population, but you can't ignore the insecure men who can't emotionally handle the idea of not having a "real" truck.

2007Tahoe - 1/4/2007 12:59:36 PM

+2 Boost

If they do this they will lose what little respect I have for this vehicle. I hate these front drive miniva- er.. I mean suv's.