EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: 2011 Ford Explorer To Rock Competitors By Cloning The Range Rover Like Exterior Design Magic?

Even though there is an embargo on driving impressions for the 2011 Ford Explorer, we are allowed to show you as many photos as we want.

So Agent 00R went to work today at the press launch here in San Diego and has just put up this nice photo gallery of what I'm calling the 'Poor Man's Range Rover', the all new 2011 Ford Explorer.



No doubt because of the close relationship the companies used to have Ford saw fit to 'lift' a lot of the design queues and rightly so, seeing the exterior design of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport are simply on balance, the two most beautiful SUV's on earth.

2011 Ford Explorer Photo Gallery

And we're predicting CRUSHING sales of this new Explorer against the likes of competitors like the Jeep Cherokee and others.

Let's face it, these are family haulers and most people will never off-road them.

And in the family hauler game the WOMAN makes the final buying decision and MOST women want Range Rovers, even more than a chance to have sex with Brad Pitt.

But most families can't afford them so the fact that it RESEMBLES a Range Rover in a lot of ways will be good enough to sway the ladies into buying them or making their significant other buy them one.

Then add the new SYNC system (best in the world right now in our opinion at ANY price) and it's GAME OVER in a competitive fight.

No matter HOW good the others may be off-road in comparison.

Sorry, just the way it is.

Six months from now the new Explorer will be sitting on top in sales in the segment and you'll know you read that prediction here first.

For now, enjoy the photo gallery and a review from 00R coming as soon as the embargo lifts.

2011 Ford Explorer Photo Gallery

2011 Chrysler 300 Photo Gallery

Mystery Mercedes SUV Photo Gallery

2011 Hyundai Elantra Photo Gallery

2012 Audi A6 Photo Gallery

Porsche Carrera 911 S Mark 2 Photo Gallery

WorldofLuxury - 12/8/2010 11:34:04 PM

+4 Boost

I remember how I attractive the outgoing Explorer looked when it debuted. The impression of this new generation is even greater. Still, picking between this and the new Grand Cherokee isn't that easy.

However, I'd buy Land Rovers in a heartbeat if it weren't for the cataclysmic issues.

DasLouiS - 12/9/2010 4:49:23 PM

+1 Boost

you must play world of warcraft

vonbeeler - 12/8/2010 11:42:45 PM

+10 Boost

As a Range Rover owner and fanatic I was concerned after reading the headline. After seeing the photos I'm relieved.

CarCrazedinCali - 12/9/2010 12:37:54 PM

+2 Boost

could the resemblance that agent 001 is referring to just be the grill with those pock marks... that's similar to a Rover, but the Explorer is very far off from resembling a Rover to me... still a nice looking ride though

M35MT - 12/9/2010 1:22:30 PM

+1 Boost

I would never mistake that for any Land Rover model...

dumpsty - 12/9/2010 3:10:59 PM

+1 Boost

Ford tried to capitalize on the "floating roof" idea with the Flex --- it didn't necessarily work. The roof idea on this new Explorer doesn't look as complimentary as initially implied, but it works.

I wouldn't mistake the explorer for a Range Rover, but my wife might...or anyone who doesn't pay much attention to brand characteristics at least as a necessity.

BondMI6 - 12/8/2010 11:43:00 PM

-5 Boost

Men= Jeep Grand Cherokee

Women= New Ford Explorer

Winner........Depends but either way you can't go wrong.

I will say this, after seeing both I believe the Cherokee is better both quality wise and styling.

bfghemicuda - 12/9/2010 11:55:40 AM

0 Boost

I definately agree

dumpsty - 12/9/2010 3:19:18 PM

+1 Boost

I think the new Explorer will be on par with every competing SUV with quality. The Jeep GC has an excellent M-B platform to anchor the new design and bring a bit more of an upscale cachet in the comparison.

I was also thinking that the new Explorer was designed more for the street than rugged off-roading. The GC, in Trail-Rated spec, should go just about anywhere on-/off-road.

sdcarguy - 12/9/2010 12:29:14 AM

+1 Boost

Drove behind one last night along the coast by Torrey Pines (maybe from this group?) .
Tail lights are really small. They will sell a ton of them.

Agent001 - 12/9/2010 12:57:04 AM

+3 Boost

Yep, you spied em

001

outsider - 12/9/2010 2:34:18 AM

+9 Boost

Sorry Ford, but I cannot understand your figures:
http://www.ford.com/suvs/explorer/specifications/engine/
According the Ford homepage the combined milage is 19 mpg of 4WD model.

http://www.toyota.com/4runner/specs.html
According the Toyota homepage the combined milage is 19 mpg of 4WD model.
On the slide the Ford presenter shows different value.

As far as power concerned is, Ford has 290 brake HP the Toyota has 270 brake HP. So far I know, the driving dynamics depends on engine torque:
Ford: 255 @ 4.100 (lb-ft @ rpm)
Toyota: 278 & 4.400 (lb-ft @ rpm)

Ford has a monocoqe body with front MacPherson and rear multilink suspension.
Toyota has body on frame with front double wishbone suspension and rear coil-spring 4-link with lateral rod rear suspension with stabilizer bar.
For me the Toyota seems better as SUV (chassis, engine...). The Ford performance looks not so good considering their passanger car build.

Whelan - 12/9/2010 9:08:26 AM

-7 Boost

Toyota's are sucky and I refuse to drive any type of SUV (4 Runner or Highlander) that uses some snotty ginger prick calling parents lame who drive slick Buick wagons with Corvette V8's.

OK, now that I got that out. The 4 Runner to me is unappealing and not really offering anything superb in comparison to the Ford Explorer. Other than being more 4x4 than the Explorer, last I checked Toyota is still using archaic versions of dashboards.

Sorry but Toyota is not astounding me with their sales numbers when compared to the new Explorer come end of 2011.

bfghemicuda - 12/9/2010 11:54:55 AM

-3 Boost

You are exactly correct. The Durango will suprise everyone and do very well. To me the Explorer is booring

internationalmanofmystery - 12/9/2010 9:00:01 AM

+2 Boost

Never understood the whole "embargo" on driving impression. Are we supposed to buy turd in a bag?

ennisleon - 12/9/2010 9:30:33 AM

+9 Boost

This Sperm Whale aint got nothing on the Cherokee looks like NASA designed this one for the journey to the cosmos

kjg48359 - 12/9/2010 12:01:16 PM

+2 Boost

That terrain response knob looks like it is right out of the Land Rover's part bin. But you can bet that there are tremendous corners cut in comparing the suspensions between the current high end Land Rovers and what Ford will do to a suspension. The proper comparison is more in line with the Freelander 2 (LR2). I'm sure the comfort level is probably high though, can't disrupt the kiddies when they're watching movies on longer trips...

85bmw745i - 12/10/2010 12:39:35 AM

+1 Boost

Actually I think it is. the symbols are exactly the same as on a land rover.

http://www.ovalnews.com/tag/ford-renamed-terrain-response

0to60 - 12/9/2010 12:32:29 PM

+1 Boost

I do see some similarities to the Evoque. Im indifferent on the exterior desing. Would have to see it in person.

bentdeez - 12/9/2010 2:28:59 PM

+1 Boost

Y'know, there's actually a lot of truth to what's been said in this article and the comments (except there's not a HUGE resemblance to the Rovers). The Mrs. and I are planning for our next vehicle buy that'll accommodate lugging around people and cargo. I do like the styling of the cherokee but the lack of 3rd row seating kills the deal. We got lotsa friends we'll be going out with and hopping everyone around in one vehicle ups the fun factor during the night. Besides, to me the explorer looks just about as good, losing by a tiny margin from the front angle.

Also, I've recently experienced Ford's SYNC in a rental mustang and I gotta say it makes driving life MUCH easier. None of the competitors have anything even close.

And as far as the article says about the woman's approval? Let's just say Mrs. B said "lets get one in white". Period.

edeus123 - 12/10/2010 12:37:08 PM

+1 Boost

Ummm.......really? You sure you are not trying to validate your decision to yourself that you are about to make? You sure its the both of you all's decision and not justs the Mrs.? I say this because it appears you are trying to convince or rather trick yourself into thinking that it is the right decision. And buddy, let me tell you something, that thing is a soccer mom's suv when compared to the Cherokee. Now saying that I would choose the Explorer if the Cherokee didn't exist. Laugh out loud. Nevertheless, to say I'm not the one to judge nor to help you in this department because I will choose style over something that I consider to be very trivial as a "third row seat", but hey that just me.

clsboy - 12/9/2010 2:38:53 PM

+4 Boost

Ugly tail lights........

85bmw745i - 12/10/2010 12:36:15 AM

-1 Boost

I would take this over a GM lambda any day! It can actually go offroad and return good gas mileage. They need to offer a 6 cyl turbo diesel and they could easily have a 30 mpg suv with good acceleration and a bulletproof engine.

rubenkincaid - 12/10/2010 12:11:25 PM

+4 Boost

That's a fairly bloated clone. That C-Pillar must create quite a blind spot. I think the Cherokee has a much cleaner design than the Explorer.

thstone - 12/10/2010 1:16:49 PM

+5 Boost

Lol! Having fun watching everyone load up on trucks and SUV's - AGAIN.

They'll all be on used car lots in 2013 when gas hits $4.50 a gallon AGAIN.

NISSANINFINITI - 12/10/2010 2:22:46 PM

+1 Boost

IT LOOK LIKE THE PREVIOUS GENERATION TOYOTA SEQUOIA FROM THE SIDE VIEW

LuvMyLexus - 12/11/2010 3:09:01 PM

+1 Boost

Ford couldn't design an original car if they had to.

Urinate on Ford and the UAW.

Joe_Limon - 12/11/2010 3:55:22 PM

+1 Boost

lol! and lexus is so very ground breaking in its designs? While I may not agree with a number of Ford's designs because they are too conservative. I do say they are on average more creative then Lexus's crop.

bentdeez - 12/12/2010 10:14:38 AM

+1 Boost

looks like cheap opinions are still like a** holes...

pacotacolol - 12/12/2010 7:15:54 PM

+2 Boost

The jeep looks so much more trim and fit.