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Overview

The Ford Explorer is an SUV produced by the Ford motor Company. The fifth generation of the Ford Explorer was introduced in 2011 and is presently manufactured at the Chicago Assembly Plant, alongside the Ford taurus and the Lincoln MKS. The Fifth generation is built on the D4 platform which is actually a modified version of the D3 platform.

A future concept was unveiled in 2008 at the North American International Auto Show. Many taught the fifth generation will be based on this concept but in fact it doesn’t resemble the car at all, only the platform on which its built is the same. The exterior design is modern and appealing. The a, b and d pillars are blacked-out to produce a floating roof effect similar to the one on Land Rover SUV’s. Some may think that this similarity is unintentional but chief designer of the fifth generation Escape is Jim holland, who was also chief designer at Land Rover. The headlights design were inspired from the Ford Edge. The grille has a corporate three-bar design with upper and lower perforated mesh work.

Variants

The Fifth generation Ford Escape is available only as a five door SUV and in either front wheel drive or full time all wheel drive. The full time all wheel drive uses open front and rear differentials with 3:39:1 gearing and a electronic center coupling. The electronic center coupling controls the front to rear torque distribution and acts as a center differential to allow for full time operation.

There are two engine choice, a four cylinder 2.0-Liter Turbocharged engine that produced 237 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0-Liter Turbocharged model will only be available in front wheel drive and the only transmission choice is the six speed automatic transmission.

The second engine choice is the 35-Liter V6 with independent variable camshaft timing that produces 290 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque. This engine is available for both front wheel drive or all wheel drive models. The standard transmission is the six speed automatic but a six speed SelectShift automatic transmission is offered as an option.

The fifth generation is equipped with a number of off road electronics like Hill Descent Control, Hill Descent Assist four wheel traction control and a terrain management system. The Terrain management system has four selectable modes and depending on which one is selected the system will fine tune the engine, transmission, throttle response, electronic center coupling and ESP (electronic stability control) to adapt the car for best performance on the corresponding terrain.

Other features available on the Fifth generation of the Ford Explorer included intelligent access with push button start, remote engine start, power liftgate, power adjustable pedals with memory, premium leather trimmed seating, heated and cooled front seats, dual headrest DVD entertainment system, adaptive cruise control, active park assist, SIRIUS Travel Link, MyFord Touch, Ford SYNC by Microsoft, Sony audio system with HD radio and Apple iTunes tagging, in-dash advanced navigation system, SoundScreen laminated acoustic and solar tinted windshield with rain sensing wipers, 20-inch polished V-spoke aluminum wheels, high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and LED tail lamps.

Standard safety features on the fifth generation Explorer include dual front adaptive airbags, dual front seat side impact airbags, and side curtain head, torso and rollover protection airbags. Optional safety features are a BLIS blind spot information system with cross traffic alert, a collision warning with brake support precrash system, Roll Stability Control, Curve Control and Electronic Stability Control.

An innovative safety feature introduced the first time in a vehicle is the dual rear safety belt airbag. The airbags are sewn into the inside of the seat belts, and inflate with cold air to prevent burns. This airbags will are on the options list and Ford claims that some other models will have this feature made available in a short period of time.

Additional information

The fifth generation of the Ford Explorer received and all-round GOOD rating in crash test conducted by the IIHS. The NHTSA has not yet published they’re results.

In February 2011 Ford recalled 1,658 new Explorers equipped with manual recline second row seats. The potential defect, which covers some Explorers built between July 15, 2010 and December 13, 2010, is the manual recliner mechanism on the 60 side of the 60/40 split second row bench seat. The owners will be contacted and asked to take their vehicle to the nearest Ford dealer for repairs.