SPIED! First Profile Shot Of 2011 Ford Explorer Leaked-Can You Say Rover-Yota?

The Auto Spies will be at the official unveiling of the next generation 2011 Ford Explorer tomorrow (12:01AM for release and press photos and look for full in person coverage and real life photos around 11AM PT) but a sharp eyed spy found this excellent profile shot of the ute and sent it to us early.

Things we do know about this highly anticipated redesign...

It will have the new ECO-Boost engine that will potentially get 30% better fuel economy than the current V6, which by the way is miserable...we were only able to get around 15MPG city on the current gen Explorer V6 so the ECO boost bump is welcome news.

Look for a terrain management iDrive-like controller ala RR Sport and new Cherokee.

Next Gen SYNC interface makes a good system even better.

Inflatable rear seat belts to reduce injuries are new.

Collision warning with radar brake support is optional.

It will be built at the Chicago assembly plant

Let us know what you think of it and if you agree that from this shot and the sneak pics of the SUV, it could be named the Ford Rover-Yota because to us it looks like a cross between a Range Rover Sport and the Toyota Sequoia to our eyes.

And is it cooler looking than the new Jeep Cherokee?











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91z4me - 7/25/2010 3:53:59 PM

+1 Boost

It looks like it could be anything. How about we wait until we can see the whole thing before judging it a rebadge?

Agent001 - 7/25/2010 3:57:47 PM

+3 Boost

Didn't say it's a rebadge.

Said it looks like a combo of the RR Sport and Sequoia.

001

uaw_lax - 7/25/2010 8:40:14 PM

-3 Boost

Agent001 needs glasses.

freeagent - 7/25/2010 4:45:11 PM

+3 Boost

this slow lifting of the skirt is becoming very tedious

Maulvader - 7/25/2010 10:12:49 PM

+1 Boost

This is sooo idiotic. What does Ford think the Explorer is? The next Batman!!! Do we have thousands of fanboys going wild camping out for a glimpse. OMG ITS THE EXPLORER!!!

Its a car! and not a particularly remarkable one. To the marketing genius who came up with this, grow a brain you moron!

rubenkincaid - 7/25/2010 10:18:03 PM

+1 Boost

So far it looks boring...

tango - 7/25/2010 11:38:40 PM

+3 Boost

@ Maulvader: I agree. The WORST thing that could happen is they unveil this thing with much fan fare and the crowd doesn't get it. They should be careful with all this overhype.

truckman - 7/26/2010 12:39:08 AM

0 Boost

The Explorer does well in the baja 1000 when Ford Adds 35in tires and race shocks in the so called stock class, I would like to see a Raptor version of this Explorer with 35in tires, two selectable lockers, locking transfer case with a low range with a min of 15inches of wheel travel with Fox racing shocks with a full score approved interior cage, and the 400hp V-6, Unfortunatly this will never happen, this is a nice suv, just an alternative to a mini van with similar off road capabilities.

edeus123 - 7/26/2010 1:00:54 AM

+2 Boost

I'm so over this. I'm ready to move on. This tease to the public is an extreme overkill. Its not like its a car that we want to see; well lets me just speak for myself. I don't want to see the already aged car.

truckman - 7/26/2010 2:30:18 AM

+1 Boost

I agree, this is a car/suv. Somehow the utility has vanished from suv, they are all metro sexual impotent vehicles with no off road abilities.

thstone - 7/26/2010 1:37:54 PM

+1 Boost

The public tease turns me off. I was ready to buy a Fiesta back in March/April when the Ford publicity machine was in high gear. Went to the dealer to do so and found out that the actual cars wouldn't arrive until July and even now, the Fiesta's that are finally on the lots are fully loaded and have $1,000 market pricing adjustments on the sticker. Sorry Ford. I bought something else in the interim.

I understand the concept of building demand prior to the cars being in dealerships, but the PR effort is getting way too far out in front of product availability.