Nother CarGuy

Ford’s re-engineered Explorer is officially the automaker’s most powerful SUV ever thanks to a 3.0-liter EcoBoost engine, projected to put down 400 HP and 415 lb-ft (562 Nm) of torque. Ford is also calling the Explorer ST the “most fun-to-drive” Explorer ever, and says that flat out, it can do 143 mph (230 km/h), aided by its quick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive system with selectable traction control. “We designed it to be an ST from the beginning,” stated Ford Performance chief functional engineer, Ed Krenz. “There’s no mistaking its ST DNA. It has a performance feel with sustained performance capability and wears an unmistakably ST appearance. More than anything, it’s just a hell of a lot of fun to drive.” Speaking of visuals, buyers can spec the 2020 Explorer ST with the ST Street Pack and an ST Track Pack. Both offer 21-inch aluminum wheels, performance brakes with larger vented rotors, red-painted calipers with stainless s...

The Ford Explorer remains one of the company’s best-selling crossovers and the automaker is looking to build on that momentum by introducing the redesigned model at the North American International Auto Show. Previewed by the Police Interceptor Utility, the 2020 Ford Explorer has an evolutionary design which is instantly recognizable. Despite giving a sense of déjà vu, the model has a rounder front fascia with a prominent grille, sportier air intakes and slender headlights. The familiar styling continues further back as the Explorer has an evolutionary greenhouse and plastic body cladding. However, designers added sleeker bodywork, a sportier roofline and more pronounced character lines. While the exterior styling is pretty tame, drivers will be greeted by an all-new interior which features higher quality materials and a minimalist design.  Ford hasn’t released detailed specifications, but the automaker confirmed the entry-level Explorer will come equipped with a dual-z...

Earlier this year, Ford held a presentation where they teased a handful of new models including the Bronco, Baby Bronco, Explorer ST and Mustang Shelby GT500. While that’s typically where the story ends, the automaker has released the full presentation and it’s packed with new – although slightly old – photos. Kicking things off, the presentation includes pictures of the 2020 Escape and Escape Hybrid. Both models are shown underneath a sheet, but the images suggest the crossover will have a sportier roofline, an upward sweeping character line and a more rounded design. The redesigned Escape has already been spotted by spy photographers and it expected to be offered with a handful of engines including a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder.  The model could also offer a 1.5-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder with up to 180 hp (133 kW). Since we’ve already see the Explorer a handful of times, we’ll skip to the image of the so-called Baby Bronco. The original teaser showed the mode...

The announcement was made with little fanfare as it was tucked away in the company’s first quarter financial results. Buried underneath various statistics is a rather blunt statement that the company will “not invest in next generations of traditional Ford sedans for North America.” Instead, models such as the Fusion, Fiesta and Taurus will be phased out over the next few years. The company isn’t abandoning cars altogether as the company will keep the Mustang. Ford also confirmed plans to launch the all-new Focus Active in North America next year. Additional crossover-like vehicles are possible as the company noted it is exploring “white space” vehicles that “combine the best attributes of cars and utilities, such as higher ride height, space and versatility.” In a statement, Ford CEO Jim Hackett said “We are committed to taking the appropriate actions to drive profitable growth and maximize the returns of our business over the long term.” He went on to say the company will ‘pla...

Ford has used the Beijing Motor Show to release a new teaser image of the 2020 Explorer. Shown underneath a sheet, the teaser image doesn’t reveal much it suggests the model will have a relatively smooth front fascia with gentle curves. Moving further back, we can see a relatively short hood and a gently raked windscreen which meets a sloping roof. The model also appears to have a roof rack and an upward sweeping beltline. Elsewhere, there’s pronounced wheel arches and a relatively upright tailgate. Ford confirmed the next-generation Explorer will be built in China and the company has previously said the model will be launched in the United States next year. An Explorer ST will “soon follow” and it is expected to use a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine that is shared with the Lincoln Continental and Lincoln MKZ. The engine produces 400 hp (298 kW) and 400 lb-ft (542 Nm) of torque. If these figures carryover to the Explorer ST, the model would be significantly more powerful t...

Ford may have given the current Explorer a mid-cycle facelift in late 2014 for the 2016MY, but they’re not quite ready for its replacement - contrary to recent rumors. At this week’s New York Auto Show, the Blue Oval will debut a very lightly updated 2018 Explorer with some mild styling tweaks, new colors and packages, and improved technology features.  You’ll have to closely compare it to the outgoing 2017MY to notice any exterior differences, but they’re there and include a new grille and fog lamps, different details on the front and rear bumper, and quad pipes for the 3.5L EcoBoost models.  Ford also added four new exterior color choices named Burgundy Velvet Tinted Clearcoat, Cinnamon Glaze, Platinum Dune Tricoat and Blue Metallic, and five new wheel designs as well.  More interesting things take place inside where the Detroit carmaker added an available 4G embedded modem with a Wi-Fi hotspot that supports as many as 10 devices at once, up to 50 feet away f...