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FORD designers say the 2011 Explorer has been redesigned from bottom to top, inside and out, to reflect a contemporary vision of what customers want in a modern 4WD utility vehicle.
The Explorer design team was challenged with reinterpreting the segment-defining model as a modern and contemporary SUV for the 21st Century.
“Ford has changed everything about the all-new Explorer, yet it’s still instantly recognisable as a Ford Explorer,” said Moray Callum, executive director of North America Design.
“We believe that’s because it’s a contemporary interpretation of the same capabilities Explorer has always stood for, without compromise.”
Standard roof rack, rounded corners, shorter overhang, and aggressive wheels and tires provide the rugged cues that customers recognise in the SUV.
From the rear, LED stop lamps glow from the jewel-like taillamp cluster. The Explorer name projects from the rear liftgate appliqué.
“The all-new Explorer combines bold, evocative design language with a wind-and noise-cheating aerodynamic shape on a rigid unibody platform,” added Melvin Betancourt, design manager. “Explorer has the height, stance, ground clearance and SUV cues that clearly indicate its off-the-beaten-path capabilities.”
Its makers say that the design is connected to Ford brand DNA through wheel flares inspired by the current Mustang and a body-side undercut that follows current Taurus design protocol.
As with the exterior, the interior design brief was to modernise, making soft-touch surfaces and occupant comfort key priorities. A goal was to make the interior a three-row medium for the technology, convenience and connectivity it contains while also inspiring driver confidence.
“Make it look expensive: That was my goal for the new Explorer interior,” said Mike Arbaugh, interior studio manager. “This is a vehicle that challenges higher-end SUVs like BMW X5 and Audi Q7, so the interior design, craftsmanship and fit-and-finish should play in that league.”
To provide a quiet ride, the marque features acoustic-laminated glass, an acoustic headliner, a driver’s side hush panel, full-perimeter hood seal, underbelly pan, a lofted high-density hood insulator, mass-backed barrier carpet and mastic floor treatment. Inner-dash and tunnel insulators, a dash doubler, a spare tyre carpet cover door, liftgate and pillar trim absorbers all contribute to interior quietness.
Prices will be announced shortly. For details call Almoayyed Motors on 17737373 or email ford@almoayyed.com.bh
