2011 Ford Explorer production confirmed, will get EcoBoost engine

I guess SUVs in the traditional sense are slowly dying. No V8. No body on frame. Not saying it's a bad thing, just wondering what response would be from the SUV crowd.

1. SUVs still possess huge market share. It's shrinking but, when carefully managing the portfolio, manufacturers can make great profits on them. So they do.

2. Considering improvement in engines department, V8 is nowadays obsolete in SUVs, holding mostly traditional value. Smaller, lighter V6 engines with forced induction or hybrid just do better.

3. Don't miss body on frame or live axles. Research showed 90% of SUVs never left paved roads. SUV wave started only as a sort of arms race cause larger, heavier, high riding vehicles offer more crash safety + the feeling of security, attracting particularly females and dickless males. Current unibody fragile independent suspension designs are simply better suited for the job SUVs do.

4. If you need a true, rigid, durable workhorse, buy a pickup.

Wow, Bratwurst do add to the forum. Great insight. Point taken! Give that man a gold star.

But for reals, the Explorer's time in its current form has gone. GM's Lamba SUV's are smart but too large (driven the Saturn OUTLOOK, what a great drive) what is needed is an SUV that doesn't feel like a chore to take it out and do things with it. I believe the new Explorer America might work. I don't get the same feel of security with Honda's Pilot or the HighLander. Sorry, just want something solid and manly without having the bulk and headache of a V8. The EcoBoost seems like it will work.

— inspirion7

| Wow, Bratwurst do add to the forum.

Oh, come on! I do add all the time. I mean, posting funny or annoying comments and fighting off fanboys are values on their own.


| But for reals, the Explorer's time in its current form has
| gone. [...] what is needed is an SUV that doesn't feel
| like a chore to take it out and do things with it.

And, according to the article, this exactly will happen. Building a SUV being a raised ordinary car is exactly what everyone else is doing.


| I believe the new Explorer America might work.

Ford needs to be careful with styling though. That Edge thing is controversial with the MKX derivative being just horrid. Flex only works for funerals.

On the other hand, they're catching the wind now. Fusion hybrid - excellent. Taurus - will be great. Imported Fiesta - very clever. Sharing nearly everything with critically acclaimed Euro-Focus (instead of just 30% as before) - even smarter.


| I don't get the same feel of security with Honda's Pilot
| or the HighLander.

It's a bit typical for Japanese non premium cars. Except Mazda, recently.

SUVs, luxury sedans, and supercars have always been my interests - the main reason why I'm so into cars.

GM and Ford can go on building their cars for the masses...body-frame, higher hp but probably lower torque engines, etc.

I just hope they don't lose complete hold of the spirit of the Hummer. I can trust Land Rover to do what they do best (just improve their quality and reliability); and I sure am glad that Lexus didn't take away the fully-capable intentions of the LX.

I'm not trying to make a point here ..except for the fact that I still love SUVs!!!

Excellent!!

Just one more reason why Ford will come out on top. The Eco Boost engines with greater horse power and improved gas mileage look very promising. One more thing for GM to copy in a couple years.