Refined ride with a thirst for efficiency

Completely redesigned for the 2011 model year, the 2012 edition of Explorer is the first Ford to offer the new 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine.

Providing V6-like engine power in an eco-friendly, fuel-efficient smaller engine, the EcoBoost technology adds a new dimension to the Explorer’s development.

Last year’s redesign transformed Explorer from being a heavy separate-frame truck chassis utility vehicle into a new lighter, more rigid unibody Explorer. It’s still a full-sized utility vehicle and Ford also added a supple fully-independent suspension, a superb new all-wheel-drive system option and seating for up to seven occupants as standard.

A 3.5-litre Ti-VCT V6 engine is the base power unit and provides 20-per-cent better fuel economy than the previous generation V6. Power output is an impressive 290 horsepower and 255 lbs. -ft of torque and it’s mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Compact, lightweight, fuel-efficient and powerful, the new 2.0-litre EcoBoost is the first in a new series of high-efficiency gasoline engines that come with direct fuel injection, an intercooled turbocharger and dual variable camshaft timing. It can deliver 240 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 270 lbs.-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm, plus it runs on regular gasoline.

The turbocharger harnesses energy normally wasted in the engine’s exhaust and uses it to pressure air going in to the engine. This significantly increases the engine’s power output per litre and the usual disadvantages of boosting (turbo lag and knock) are essentially eliminated by direct injection and its electronic engine management.

Disappointingly, however, the EcoBoost engine version of Explorer costs $1,000 more than a same trim V6 edition. Even at today’s inflated fuel prices the cost difference

would still pay for well over 700 litres of gasoline.

The new fully-automated optional Terrain Management System (all-wheel-drive) replaces the traditional transfer case drive system with two shift levers. Instead, a simple-to-use large rotary dial allows the driver to select from four different drive settings: normal, sand, mud and snow.

There are three Explorer trim levels: Base, XLT and Limited. My test Explorer was a top trim level Limited Edition with the EcoBoost engine, navigation and luxury seating and technology packages. The extra features increased its price to $48,499.

Compared to the 2010 Explorer, the new 2012 model is 10 cm (four inches) longer, 13 cm (five inches) wider, 45 kg (100 lbs.) lighter and it’s more aerodynamic. Wide and beefy, it’s still nicely proportioned with its short body overhangs giving it a secure stance. New styling features include a clamshell hood and blacked-out roof support pillars. Large headlights blend nicely into the fenders and give it a softer yet still square nose and there’s a flexible lower front air dam (black) under the front bumper. In the rear it has a small lip spoiler on the top of the liftgate and LED tail lights.

The revised MyFord Touch system comes with a colour touch-screen that replaces many of the traditional vehicle switches, knobs and displays. It can also be personalized to an individual driver’s taste. Although now simpler to use, with larger and clearer icons, it’s quite sensitive to touch, which makes it easy to unintentionally change a setting. Also, I don’t understand why a straightforward to use seat-heater switch now has to be accessed through a screen icon. The second and third row seating positions both provide good leg and head room. When cargo space is needed, power folding third row seats and the quick-fold second row seats (that bounce back up with the pull of a lever) are at your disposal. With all the rear seats folded, there’s a whopping 2,288 litres (80.7 cubic feet) of rear cargo space.