The Crank: Ford’s New Age 2011 Explorer not all that new

By John LeBlanc After a series of unmitigated sales flops (2005 Freestyle; 2008 Taurus X; 2009 Flex,) the "all-new" 2011 Explorer will be Ford’s fourth crack in the last decade at a midsize crossover based on the old Volvo S80 chassis from the last millennium. In case you didn’t already know, the old, truck-based Explorer was once the best-selling SUV in the America, an icon of the 1990s when gas-guzzling V8s, sloppy handling and poor packaging were all the rage. But vanishing sales and impending CAFÉ regulations means the new 2011 Explorer will now have to join the 21st century, nudging itself into an already crowded, car-based, three-row crossover market. Ford has been teasing us with pics of its new Explorer for awhile now (it's right there, above, hugging trees.) And, apparently, this Thursday there’s a Full Monty unveiling in New York, I think. But the big message that Ford wants to drill into your cranium between now and when it goes on sale later this year is that its former scorch-the-earth SUV is now leaner, greener, and environmentally-friendly. While a 3.5-litre V-6 and all-wheel-drive will be optional, the base, front-wheel-drive (yikes!) 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder (OMG!) 2011 Explorer will allegedly get 30 per cent better fuel economy compared with the old V-6-equipped Explorer. Which, based on Ford’s U.S. numbers, works out to 18 mpg city, 26 hwy for the 2011 model, versus 14 and 20 with last year’s V6. Impressive, eh? Er, not really. You see, before Ford pops the champagne and gets sore from slapping itself on the back, those numbers only look good compared within the tight borders of ExplorerLand. Outside of Ford showrooms, the new Explorer’s fuel economy are really, just OK. While better than a AWD Honda Pilot (16 mpg city, 22 hwy), the Ford’s numbers aren’t that much better than a V6 FWD Chevy Traverse, rated at 17 and 24. Yet its worse than a Toyota Highlander FWD I4’s 20 and 27. And if you can live without third-row seating, a five-passenger FWD I4 Hyundai Santa Fe scores 21 and 27. So, with a less-than-radical new Explorer, can Ford win back crossover owners from these other makes after a decade floundering with the Freestyle/Taurus X/Flex? Are older Explorer buyers likely to buy into a vehicle with only a four-banger and power to the front wheels? [Source: Ford]

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