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Posted:
Sunday, February 5, 2006. (12:25 AM HST)
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Even with a smaller V-6 engine, this hauler of seven can more than keep up with traffic. The 5-speed automatic works will with this engine to deliver when necessary. Clearly, however, if afterburner power is sought, the V-8 option will take care of any need.
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2006
Ford Explorer: Exploring New Opportunities
By
Ed
Kemper
Honolulu,
Hawaii
Courtesy of
Cutter Ford
In
order to maintain the Explorer’s best selling SUV title (ever
since the Explorer was introduced in 1992), Ford is not resting on
its laurels.
Just
four years ago, the Explorer received a major redo including the
less truck like independent rear suspension. This time around,
although the body dimensions have grown somewhat, it is more about
refinements.
First,
for the horsepower needy, the optional V-8 is derived from the
Mustang GT V-8, meaning that the horsepower over last year’s has
grown a whopping 53 for a total of 292. Coupled to the 4.6 liter V-8
is a new in class 6-speed automatic transmission. The standard
engine/transmission is a carryover—the 4.0 210 hp overhead cam V-6
coupled to a 5-speed automatic.
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Traditional gauges are housed in the dash pod but with a computer readout function in the lower middle. Cruise control buttons are on the steering wheel. |
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On
both the outside and inside, the Explorer has been seemingly dipped
into a chrome bath, except for the base XLS model. The grill is
bigger with a large chrome border with chrome bars running across
the opening. Likewise chrome is found on the liftgate. More
importantly, inside from the door handle to the gearshift area to
the rings around the vents chrome is the answer. This latter look
comes from the much-liked Ford F-150 truck interior. (Odd isn’t it
that a truck interior becomes the industry standard for good-looking
insides).
Also
borrowed from the F-150 is a chassis redo with cross members
running through the frame, the end result being a much stiffer body. With
this addition, Ford also revised the rear independent suspension to
make the ride smoother and quieter. Added to the silence treatment
was much work to the engine, body, and suspension to quiet things
down. All of this work, plus increased dimensions (length 4-inches
and width and height an inch and a half) results in about a 100
pounds of additional weight. But with engine and transmission
reworking, the gas mileage rating on the V-8 went up.
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Specs:
2006
Ford Explorer
Model: Midsize SUV 5, 6 or 7 passenger, 4 door
Price:
$27,175
Performance:
0-60: 8.5 seconds (est.)
Drivetrain:
4.0 liter, V-6 cylinder 212 hp, 5-speed, or optional 4.6 liter, V-8, 292 hp with 6-speed automatic. Optional 4 wheel drive.
Standard
features:
Trailer receiver, tire pressure monitoring system, stability control, ABS, stereo C/D, power mirrors, locks and windows, remote entry, A/C.
Selected
options:
Larger wheels, cruise control, map lights, various stereo upgrades, automatic transmission, steering wheel mounted controls, sunroof. running boards, safety canopy, adjustable pedals, larger wheels, rear A/C, reverse sensing system, third row seats, convenience group, leather seats, power seats, 6 CD changer, moonroof, DVD entertainment
system.
Fuel
economy:
15 city/21 highway; EPA True life: 13 to 26 mpg in Honolulu.
Warranty:
3 years/36,000 miles
Towing Capacity:
7,300 lbs.
—
Ed Kemper
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Models
(XLS, XLT, Eddie Bauer, and Limited) retain the same general
designation, but each has gone down in price (from a little to a
lot). Seating arrangements can be in the 5, 6 or 7 configuration.
The reasonably well-equipped standard edition starts at $27,175 (see
specs).
Exploring
Opportunities
To try Ford’s latest
rendition of the Explorer genre, a fully equipped XLT with
seven-passenger option was the Wheels test unit. The XLT starts with
a sticker price of $28,225 and this one topped out at $32,350 with
addition of running boards ($450), safety canopy ($560), adjustable
pedals ($120), 17-inch wheels ($290), rear A/C ($650), reverse
sensing system ($255), third row seats ($845) and convenience group
($250).
Certainly
with all the chrome and F-150 spin on the interior, the good look
and even feel of the front interior is better than last year’s
model. Besides the real metal additions, diverse contrasting
plastics mixed with cloth here and there present a handsome look.
Equally
the big chrome grill with the usually shaped headlights glamorizes
the clear and familiar Explorer exterior shape.
On
this model, some carbon fiber looking material was also set in the
center of the dash and a few other locations. The very tall
gearshift handle in the center of the console is both good looking
and easy to use, but the transmission is a traditional one with no
sequential shifting pattern available. There is, however, a button
to lock out 5th gear for towing or going up steep hills.
Straightforward
and not so glamorous are the controls for the stereo/CD and the A/C
system—easy enough to use but their design will not set hearts on
fire. In this model, the rear A/C controls are in the front ceiling.
A
number of items are designed and placed a little differently. On the
plus side, the multi-function stalk for the turn signals and wiper
functions is angled up on the steering column so that the driver can
actually and more easily see the wiper controls. The door-opening
handle is placed at the end and at the top of the door armrest, and
the pull handle is below the armrest—both take some time to get
use to.
Exploring
Backwards
As one would hope with this
medium sized SUV, the rear seat room is quite good and even the
middle rider will find plenty of room because the seat bottom is
shaped for real people and the center console is far enough forward
for plenty of knee room. Vents are found in the ceiling and the rear
of the center console.
The
60/40 split rear seats can be easily flattened for extra carrying
capacity with the pull a handle. Another pull and the whole seat
jumps out of the way to enter into the third row of two seats. Once
out of the way arriving and departing third row passengers will not
have too much difficulty in making the trip.
Surprisingly
real people can sit back there, albeit not in great comfort because
of the tight legroom and shortened bottom cushion. Again vents are
in the ceiling in this area as well as storage bins and cupholders.
With
the third row up, a couple of suitcases can stand up in the cargo
bay. But a simple pull of a handle immediately drops the third seats
flat for a very large cargo area. As with other Ford SUVs, the rear
window opens separately from the liftgate. A convenient door lock
button is also in the rear cargo area.
Discovering
Driving
Certainly, the silent
service work Ford has done has made the Explorer a very quiet SUV.
After the engine springs to life (with a couple of seconds of roar),
thereafter silence is golden—very little engine, wind, or road
noise is heard. Even when the engine is pressed, the Explorer simply
moves forward faster without having to tell the interior occupants
about progress.
As
indicated earlier, the general look is a good one, although the
light colored dash on this model reflected on the interior of the
windshield a little too much.
The
front seats have some moderate side bolstering (unlike many SUVs),
and cushioning is medium-to-firm with an adjustable lumbar support
bar available.
As
they say gas mileage can vary with conditions and in the case of the
Explorer there were wild swings. Low in the very heavy city traffic
was 13 mpg, but the high was a rather astonishing 26-mpg in a
windward to Aiea run.
Over
the years, the Explorer ride has improved with the addition of the
independent rear suspension and this version is even better with the
stiffened frame. In a word, it is very car like without being loose.
Cornering control is reasonable, but do not kid yourself this is a
tall vehicle that is not going to set an autocross record anytime.
Somewhat
surprisingly, maneuvering the Explorer in tight parking lots is
relatively easy because of the solid steering feedback and clear
indications of the exterior dimensions.
Final
Sights
Well you do not retain a
best seller position without keeping up with the crowd. In order to
maintain the Explorer in its lofty position, Ford has never
hesitated to try to improve the breed. This time the exterior and
interior have gone upcountry with lots of metal and a better
redesign. Not to be left alone was the frame and suspension to
further even out the ride and general composure. With these
improvements, Ford may continue to explore the upper reaches of the
sales ladder in the SUV department.
High
Beams
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Chrome and F-150 interior upgrades
look good.
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Very quiet ride and with a
good suspension redo.
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Exterior upgrading for the
better, but it still says Explorer.
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Third row seat is real for real
people.
Low
Beams
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Odd placement of door handle and
opener.
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Reflection on the windshield with
light colored dash.
Q&A
Q: What is going to happen to the Ford
Explorer Sport Trac, the half SUV and half pickup truck?
A:
The last version, which was actually based on the pre 2002 version
of the Explorer, just stopped being produced. But a new one based on
this edition of the Explorer will come out this year, and it will
have an independent rear suspension. Also expect Ford’s hot rod
division, SVT, to produce a speedier model of the Sport Trac.
–
Ed Kemper is the auto columnist for the Honolulu Star Bulletin and MidWeek, the Weekend. He also hosts Wheels Hawaii TV on
Oceanic Cable-Channel 16 in Hawaii, which is shown on Wednesday at 12:30 PM, Thursday at 1:00 PM and 5 PM, Friday at 10:30 PM and 9:30 PM, and Saturday at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM.
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