2011 Ford Explorer V6 Rated by EPA at 17mpg city and 25 mpg Highway

The official EPA fuel-economy numbers have been posted for the V6 Ti-VCT version of Ford's chunky 2011 Explorer. The 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine produces 292 hp, or 80 ponies more than the outgoing model’s 4.0-liter V6. Despite the power increase, the new crossover returns an EPA-certified 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, which accounts to a 25 percent improvement over the previous V6 model.


“The new Explorer V6 with twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) delivers a keen balance between power and fuel economy,” said Jim Holland, chief engineer. “An efficient six-speed transmission mated to this efficient V6 helps Explorer deliver 25 percent better fuel efficiency. This raises the bar for full-size SUVs, and will change buyer expectations for the entire segment.”
In order to achieve this, Ford engineers made the Explorer more aerodynamic, while they also used electric power steering for the first time, reducing parasitic engine drag, alongside a fuel shutoff system and improved engine components to minimize internal friction.

Furthermore, the new Explorer also shaved 100 lb (45 kg) in weight over the previous generation model, partially due to the new unibody structure.
The V6 Explorer will be followed by a 2.0-liter turbocharged model, which according to Ford, is estimated to deliver a 30 percent increase in fuel economy.

By Csaba Daradics

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Ford’s Police Interceptor Outpaces Competition at LA Sheriff’s Department Testing

The American police car segment is heating up with equally interesting offers from GM (Chevy Caprice), Chrysler (Dodge Charger) and Ford. In their latest battle, the Dearborn automaker's Taurus-based AWD Police Interceptor achieved the fastest lap time in tests carried out by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD), signaling that it's a worthy successor for the Crown Victoria.


Powered by the twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with 365 hp and 350 lb-ft (475 Nm) of torque, the Police Interceptor can reach 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 5.8 seconds.

During tests held in California, the Ford was faster than V8 competitors, but that's not much of a surprise, since force induction compensates for the lack of displacement (the Chevy Caprice has a 6.0-liter V8, while the Dodge Charger boasts a 5.7-liter HEMI V8).

LASD also tested the base Taurus Interceptor, which comes with a naturally V6 churning out 280 hp, and all-wheel drive. According to Ford, it fared well against the V6-powered competition, beating them in braking, acceleration and lap times.

The Blue Oval's third police car to be tested was the Explorer-based Police Interceptor Utility, with a 3.7-liter V6 engine and AWD. Ford said that, loaded with 400 pounds (181 kg) of cargo, it was more than two seconds faster than the Chevrolet Tahoe on LASD's circuit.

Ford Police Interceptors are available in multiple configurations (even with front-wheel drive) and deliver at least 20% more fuel efficiency compared to the outgoing Crown Victoria. Sounds like authorities could get a bang for their buck, but we have the feeling that GM and Chrysler aren't done yet.

By Csaba Daradics

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2011 Ford Explorer SUV Development Continues in Dubai [with Video]

Ford has released some new pictures and video footage of the new Explorer SUV hot-weather testing in Dubai. According to the Dearborn automaker, with a 50 percent humidity factor and midday temperatures pushing over 125 degrees Fahrenheit, the desert climate provides "an ideal environment to test and validate vehicle performance in some of the world's most extreme conditions."

Chief Engineer for Vehicle Engineering Don Ufford adds one more reason to the list as to why Ford's trying out the new 7-seater Explorer in Dubai, and that is to listen to what local customers have to say about the SUV model.

"We regularly sell close to 10,000 Explorers per year in the Middle East market," Ufford says. "SUV drivers in this part of the world regularly use the broad range of capabilities these vehicles offer. Our rationale for testing in Dubai is simple: If we can perform well here, we can do well anywhere."

Along with numerous other tests, including for the effectiveness of the air conditioning system, Ford claims Dubai also offers unique terrain characteristics to validate the Explorer's four-wheel drive capabilities.

"Customers here regularly drop tire pressure and head off into the sand dunes for off-road vehicular recreation," said Ufford. "We wanted to make the terrain management system on the new Explorer easy and intuitive to use so customers have the confidence to go off-road without worrying about whether they have properly engaged all the vehicle systems."

The freshly revealed 2011 Explorer will be offered in the States with a choice of two engines, either a 290HP 3.5-liter V6 or a 235HP 2.0-liter EcoBoost Turbo four-pot. Sales in North America will begin later this year, while Ford plans to export the Explorer to more than 90 markets globally starting from early 2011.

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