BORG Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 (edited) It's amazing what little glimpses can reveal about a design. I think the Ford Flex-like greenhouse design is interesting. http://www.leftlanenews.com/ford-explorer-2011.html Edited December 7, 2009 by BORG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8-X Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Looking more and more like a slightly raised Flex. Either way, the more I see the more I like. The headlamp assembly and 3 bar grille peeking through looks good in my opinion. Overalll, doesn't look too bad. But will reserve final judgement until all the camo is removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 It's amazing what little glimpses can reveal about a design. I think the Ford Flex-like greenhouse design is interesting. Looking more and more like a slightly raised Flex. hey guys can I get some of what your smoking? In no shape or form does it look like a Flex green house, the B-pillars are too thick, the Flex has black wrap around look to it, while this will be an updated/modernized SUV green house thats found on the Current Explorer and Escape. The grill looks to be influenced by the '10 Taurus Electric Razor blade look... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8-X Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 (edited) hey guys can I get some of what your smoking? In no shape or form does it look like a Flex green house, the B-pillars are too thick, the Flex has black wrap around look to it, while this will be an updated/modernized SUV green house thats found on the Current Explorer and Escape. I'm referring to the more boxy style and practically flat hood designs. Of course this could be some of the camo playing into my perception, but I see some cues from the Flex in the design. Edited December 7, 2009 by V8-X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 As long as it looks like a truck and gets better mpg, American housewvies, sugar daddies, and yuppie men/women won't care that it's unibody. The most they haul are big screen TV's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catalepsy Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Really? I don't see the Flex at all. It looks like any other SUVs really... nothing special about the shape, ride height or what little design you can see under the camo. Although weren't there criticism that Flex for LR design cues? ...wouldn't a raised Flex look like LR? I'm referring to the more boxy style and practically flat hood designs. Of course this could be some of the camo playing into my perception, but I see some cues from the Flex in the design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catalepsy Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 (edited) ...You are describing the drivers of the Escalate. No "Sugar Daddy" or yuppies would drive an Explorer. Soccer moms, yes. As long as it looks like a truck and gets better mpg, American housewvies, sugar daddies, and yuppie men/women won't care that it's unibody. The most they haul are big screen TV's. Edited December 7, 2009 by Catalepsy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 A couple of the rear shots give a clear indication that the rear glass will be sloped pretty aggressively, much more like the Edge than the current Explorer or Flex. The camo does a pretty good job of hiding it, but you can see the real edges through the clear plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark B. Morrow Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 It's not going to have the upright C pillar of the Flex or the "floating" roof with black out pillars. The rear door looks nice and wide which should make it easy to load with kids and stuff. All in all it looks promising. I may hold out for another Explorer rather than a Flex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted December 7, 2009 Author Share Posted December 7, 2009 I should have specified the the forward greenhouse has some Flex elements in it, especially the blacked out A-Pillar which was not in the Explorer concept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 I should have specified the the forward greenhouse has some Flex elements in it, especially the blacked out A-Pillar which was not in the Explorer concept. Pretty much impossible to tell on a protoype whether or not a part is going to be blacked out or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted December 7, 2009 Author Share Posted December 7, 2009 Pretty much impossible to tell on a protoype whether or not a part is going to be blacked out or not. Oh yes, it most definitely ist part of the design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Oh yes, it most definitely ist part of the design. And you can tell this how? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 And you can tell this how? You should know by now, Borg is used to looking through camouflage............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 (edited) Oh yes, it most definitely ist part of the design. Um thats part of the door frame, not the A-pillar...look at it again...the A pillar is camo'ed Just looked at the pictures again, and does it look like the top of the doors are a bit on the narrow side with the how far back the windshield is? Edited December 7, 2009 by silvrsvt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Lover Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 thats part of the door frame, not the A-pillar...look at it again...the A pillar is camo'ed I think you're right; if you look closely at the front 3/4 picture, you can see how the black out paint is actually on the door frame surrounding the front passenger window, because the paint doesn't sync up very well with the curve of the door/window panel. This seems to there for the express purpose of confusing us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark B. Morrow Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 I think you're right; if you look closely at the front 3/4 picture, you can see how the black out paint is actually on the door frame surrounding the front passenger window, because the paint doesn't sync up very well with the curve of the door/window panel. This seems to there for the express purpose of confusing us! Look at the October pics. It is clear that the A-pillar is body colored not blacked out. The photos that show the area around the side mirror are the clearest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucky2 Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 I wonder: If the Taurus SHO/MKS already have the 3.5L non-EB and EB, and the regular Taurus has the 3.5L non-EB... ...and this link says 4-cyl EB and 3.5L non-EB... ...wouldn't it be safe to say that the 3 engines could all then be used on anything running down the line at CAP? So in 2011, will we be able to get a Taurus with a 4-cyl EB? Or, an Explorer with 3.5L EB? It would seem very doable..... Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unknown25 Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 I know there is plenty to be hammered out in terms of fuel economy, such as engine type, final curb weight, and aerodynamics, but looking at the Highlanders fuel economy /w a 2.7L I4 rated at 187hp versus the Ford 2.0L I4 (non-PHEV calibration) rated at 140hp combined, I think there is a strong possiblity for the Ford Explorer to be rated at 22/29 versus the current 14/20. For comparison: 2010 Toyota Highlander 2.7 I4 20/27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 I know there is plenty to be hammered out in terms of fuel economy, such as engine type, final curb weight, and aerodynamics, but looking at the Highlanders fuel economy /w a 2.7L I4 rated at 187hp versus the Ford 2.0L I4 (non-PHEV calibration) rated at 140hp combined, I think there is a strong possiblity for the Ford Explorer to be rated at 22/29 versus the current 14/20. For comparison: 2010 Toyota Highlander 2.7 I4 20/27 Your forgetting that I4 Ecoboost will be used on this..and Ford is shooting for 30 MPG out of the Explorer I can see the following: I4 Ecoboost 3.5L V6 EB 3.5L V6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BORG Posted December 7, 2009 Author Share Posted December 7, 2009 The design is meant to carry that blackened door frame detail. You'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 Supposedly the Egoboost I4, was first penned at 280HP, I do not see the reasoning towards using the 3.5L that will probably be making less. Unless they provide a 250HP version of the Egoboost I4. As for the 3.5L, they might as well start phasing in the 3.7L and give it at least 300HP. I understand the vehicle will weigh less, but personally anything over 4000lbs needs at least 300HP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Lover Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 The design is meant to carry that blackened door frame detail. You'll see. Do you think the black out will be used on all pillars, or just the C pillar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueblood Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 As long as it looks like a truck and gets better mpg, American housewvies, sugar daddies, and yuppie men/women won't care that it's unibody. The most they haul are big screen TV's. It's not that it's unibody, it's that it's FWD, they are turning the Explorer into a station wagon, they should really re-name it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 It's not that it's unibody, it's that it's FWD, they are turning the Explorer into a station wagon, they should really re-name it. why, my bet is it will trump the current explorer in pretty much EVERY facet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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