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2011 Ford Explorer: Building Better Gas Mileage Into An SUV Page 2

 
4,574 views Jul 26, 2010
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2011 Ford Explorer

2011 Ford Explorer

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And indeed Ford's designers have optimized every facet of the new Explorer to make it more efficient. Despite being 5 inches wider than the outgoing 2010 model, it's roughly 100 pounds lighter in four-wheel-drive form.

Its drag coefficient is 0.35, a 12-percent improvement over the 0.40 of its predecessor. Again, nowhere near the 0.25 claimed for the Prius, but we're betting very few buyers considering an Explorer are weighing it against Toyota's quintessential hybrid hatchback.

Best-in-class mileage ratings?

Ford is aggressively marketing its efforts to launch any new model with the best fuel economy in its class, so look for comparisons in Ford ads to the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee as well as such crossovers as the Toyota Highlander, Chevrolet Traverse, and an upcoming 2012 SUV model from Dodge as well.

At least, look for those comparisons once the EPA issues gas mileage ratings for the 2011 Explorer. It hasn't done so yet, though you can be sure Ford will trumpet them when it does. The vehicle itself goes on sale in November.

Ford is expanding its efficient EcoBoost engines aggressively into more vehicle lines, and the 2011 Explorer is the second for the direct-injected, turbocharged EcoBoost four; that engine will also appear in the 2011 Ford Edge five-seat crossover.

For more information

Other High Gear Media coverage of the new 2011 Ford Explorer:

TheCarConnection 

2011 Ford Explorer: First Look at Ford's Most Important New SUV

2011 Ford Explorer: New Niche Approach Fits The Times

2011 Ford Explorer Priced from $28,995

2011 Ford Explorer: Photo Gallery

Ford Explorer history and model year reviews

MotorAuthority

2011 Ford Explorer preview

2011 Ford Explorer videos

FamilyCarGuide

2011 Ford Explorer Unveiled

Ford provided airfare and lodging so that High Gear Media reporters could bring you these details of the 2011 Ford Explorer.






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Comments (4)

  1. By Adam Posted: 7/27/2010 4:29am PDT

    Hmm... Only comment is that the press release I saw online says the V6 gets 20% better fuel economy, not 32% (unless they said differently in their presentation). Interesting that they didn't claim 'best in class' fuel economy for the V6. Also, I think the 20/28 numbers (which do seem a bit high, and a bit difficult to reconcile with 'only' 30% better fuel economy than the current 14/20) would be for the 2WD EcoBoost--there's not AWD EcoBoost.
     
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  2. By Alex Posted: 8/14/2010 9:28am PDT

    Looks like Ford has a winner----And they did not take government money.
    Good for Ford!
     
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  3. fb_1001015277 avatar John Briggs Posted: 1/22/2011 12:38pm PST

    What happened to the 4 cylinder engine? Ad in Feb 2011 Wired magazine touts the fuel economy of the V6 with no mention of the 4 cylinder engine.
     
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  4. fb_1001015277 avatar John Briggs Posted: 1/22/2011 12:40pm PST

    Also, ad shows "best in class power" and then shows the class as "...non-hybrids". Got to love advertising.
     
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