Dearborn-based Ford Motor Co. announced it has plans to add five all-new SUVs to its lineup in North America by 2020, including the redesigned 2018 Explorer, which will include freshened front and rear styling details, an available 4G embedded modem that includes a Wi-Fi hotspot and supports as many as 10 devices at once up to 50 feet away from the vehicle.
It will also feature SYNC Connect, which allows owners to connect with Explorer remotely using FordPass to start, lock, unlock and locate their vehicle from almost anywhere – while also allowing access to important vehicle diagnostic information.
This technology joins such existing features as enhanced active park assist, which uses ultrasonic sensors and electric power-assisted steering to help drivers with parallel and perpendicular parking; park-out assist, which helps drivers pull out of parallel parking spots; and intelligent all-wheel drive with Terrain Management System™, which enables improved driving capability by sending power where needed.
For 2018, Explorer also offers a newly available Safe and Smart Package that combines several high-demand driver-assist features. The package includes:
- Adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support uses radar to detect moving vehicles directly ahead, and changes cruising speed if necessary.
- Blind Spot Information System uses radar to notify when another motorist is in the driver’s blind spot.
- Cross-traffic alert uses radar to help alert drivers to oncoming traffic when backing out of a parking space.
- Lane-keeping system automatically detects left- and right-hand road lane markings using front camera system. A vibration in the steering wheel alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane. System can also provide steering torque to help guide the vehicle back into the lane if needed.
- Auto high-beams use windshield-mounted cameras to automatically switch between high-beam and low-beam settings when oncoming traffic is detected.
- Rain-sensing wipers, which provides better visibility during inclement weather.
Drivers can opt for five different series featuring three different engines including a 2.3-liter EcoBoost® four-cylinder that delivers 280 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 310 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,000 rpm. Explorer Sport and Platinum edition models are equipped with a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 featuring new quad exhaust tips. The engine generates 365 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 350 lb.-ft of torque at 3,500 rpm.
Customers have more personalization options for 2018 with four new exterior color choices – Burgundy Velvet Tinted Clearcoat, Cinnamon Glaze, Platinum Dune Tricoat and Blue Metallic. Explorer gets five new wheel choices as well.
The 2018 Explorer arrives at dealerships this fall. It is built at Chicago Assembly Plant.
IN RELATED NEWS fans of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will recognize the Ford EcoSport as the movie’s official vehicle when it comes to theatres May 5. When the vehicle goes on sale in early 2018, customers can choose either the 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost, or 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine. SYNC 3, a floating 8-inch touch screen and Wi-Fi hotspot are available, as well as SYNC Connect, which also gives drivers access to FordPass.
