When is an SUV more like a car?

When it is the all-new, streamlined and fuel-efficient Ford Explorer. Since the early 1990s, the Ford Explorer has been a family favorite and now it is back with a completely redesigned look and a modern interior that will appeal to everyone. The new Ford Explorer has seating for seven and safety features ranging from inflatable seat belts in the back seat to help protect occupants’ heads and chests in the event of a crash, to a curve control system that will keep the vehicle tracking smoothly if the driver goes into a tight curve too fast.

Powering this new SUV concept are a couple of engine options designed to give top fuel efficiency at a savings.
There is a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that has the 237 horsepower of a V-6. It is being compared to the V-6 found in the 2010 Toyota Camry sedan that gets 19 miles per gallon in the city and 28 on the highway. Also available is a 3.7 liter V-6 pumping out 290 horsepower which is the same as the current V=8 yet gets 20 percent better fuel economy than the outgoing V-6.

What helps the 2011 Ford Explorer?

It is built on the platform that the Taurus X sedan also shares. That gives it a lower ground clearance and smoother, more fuel-efficient ride.

Want to go off-road?

The 2011 Ford Explorer has a system that will let drivers switch to various modes from sand, snow, rutted roads or downhill travel.
This is a Ford that has a lot to offer. There is a broad range of trim levels and customer conveniences including technology connectivity that is desired today.
Coming as standard equipment are:

• Hill start assist
• Dual chrome exhaust tips
• Projector-style headlamps
• Power remote sideview mirror
• LED taillamps
• Air filtration system
• Media hub, including an auxiliary input jack
• Four 12-volt power points
• Second- and third-row dome/map lights
• Tilt/telescoping steering column
• Steering wheel-mounted five-way and secondary audio controls
• Cruise control
• Power windows with one-touch driver’s down
• Single CD/MP3-capable six-speaker audio system
• MyKey™ owner control feature
• Keyless entry remote

The all-new 2011 Explorer XLT offers all the base model equipment with a higher level of harmonizing chrome and satin-finish accent trim, 18-inch aluminum wheels, unique cloth seating, leather covering for steering wheel and shift knob, SelectShift Automatic™ transmission, SecuriCode™ keyless entry keypad, fog lamps, SIRIUS® Satellite Radio (including a prepaid six-month subscription in 48 contiguous states), perimeter alarm and reverse sensing system.
Stepping up, the Explorer Limited has options that include:

• Ambient lighting
• Adjustable pedals with memory
• Cargo net
• Dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control
• Leather-trimmed, heated seats
• 10-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar and recline
• Six-way power first-row passenger seat with lumbar and recline
• Second-row 60/40 split bench seat with armrest and dual cupholders
• Electrochromic interior rearview mirror
• Sony® Audio System with high-definition radio and 12 speakers
• Rear view camera
• Remote start
• 110-volt outlet
• SYNC® voice-activated communications and entertainment system
• Intelligent Access with push-button start
• Universal garage door opener

Wanting more?

The Explorer XLT also comes standard with MyFord Touch™ connect technology. This includes a pair of cluster-mounted driver-configurable displays, an 8-inch LCD color touch screen in the center stack with compass and temperature display, media hub with a pair of USB ports, and an SD card reader and RCA video input jacks. Explorer Limited offers five-way supplemental controls on the steering wheel.
All in all, the new Ford Explorer is an exciting new concept that has already appealed to thousands and should be considered for your next vehicle.

Driver Distraction (Case Study)Ford: Driver Distraction (Case Study)Ford: Driver Distraction (Case Study)Over the past two decades, cellular phones have gone from clunky novelties to ubiquitous must-haves. Wireless subscriptions in the United States have grown from about 28 million in 1995 to about 270 million by 2009 a whopping 960 percent increase. The public has become accustomed to using cell phones everywhere at home, on the street, in restaurants, at the office, while shopping and of most interest to Ford's safety researchers while driving.

The ubiquity of cell phones coupled with the proliferation of portable music players in vehicles has heightened concerns about driver distraction. We at Ford agree that this is an important safety issue and we have taken steps to address it. We also believe that continued research is needed to better understand the complex interactions involved in this issue and we are participating in that research.