Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is a sport utility vehicle the American automaker Ford he was also sold as the Mazda Navajo In Japan and the United States.

First generation (1990-1995)

Ford Explorer (1990-1993)

Since 15 March 1990, the Ford Explorer sold in the United States.

The Ford Explorer was both two-door four-door available as well. He built on the same box frame and the chassis on like its predecessor, the Ford Bronco II with 4.43 meters long and 1.78 meters wide, the Explorer was a lot heavier than the Bronco II, which is why a more powerful engine was needed. The V6 engine, produced in the Cologne Ford engine plant in Germany, it was subjected to revision and pointed in the Explorer four -liter displacement with about 120 kW.

In the list of features all options were available to upgrade the Explorer into a luxury automobile: Automatic, touch- Drive- wheel drive system, leather interior, air conditioning, stereo, power windows and seats, central locking, cruise control, etc.

The width of the model range, and therefore connected as big a target group was an essential cornerstone of its outstanding market success. From the simply furnished two-door Explorer without all-wheel drive with manual transmission as a " shopping cart" for the family up to the luxuriously appointed luxury vehicle for the stockbroker - for all your needs, there was a suitable model range.

Europe version

Ford tried to export its successful model to Europe, where the Ford Explorer has been offered since 1993 in a European version exclusively with superior fittings. In Germany, the Explorer was aimed at the at the time still small market segment of luxury SUVs. The only engine offered was a 4 -liter V6 petrol engine with 121 kW (165 hp). A diesel version was not available.

A curious problem arose when four-wheel drive: After disabling the all-wheel drive, the vehicle had to be driven at least one car length from its last direction, so that the freewheel hubs unlocked completely. If the vehicle moves in the all-wheel drive forward, so had after switching off the vehicle to be driven backwards. Was the last direction backwards, the Explorer had to be moved forward.

In most vehicles, has been mounted behind the left sun visor incorrect instructions. This was due to an incorrect translation into the German language to pass, often resulting in damage to the freewheel.

Second generation (1995-2001)

Ford Explorer II (1995-2001)

In 1995 the second generation model. The Explorer had been heavily revised in technical terms and received a new styling. The total length of the revised Explorer was now 4.78 meters ( in the four-door version). In addition to a new, more aerodynamic front end and the interior was redesigned and the dashboard has been aligned with worldwide car standards in terms of ergonomics and design. A significant improvement of driving comfort has been achieved by a new independent front suspension. The rear axle with leaf springs, however, remained unchanged. The worm and roller steering gear gave way to a more precise rack and pinion steering. Also, the all-wheel drive has been modernized and turned now ( as a global innovation) automatically, in the event that the rear wheels should lose traction. Remained largely unchanged the four-liter V6 from Cologne who carried now 115 kW (156 hp).

The new Ford Explorer was an even greater commercial success than its predecessor. In the United States and around the world he became the best-selling SUV. In the U.S., the Explorer was equipped from 1996 also available with a 5.0-liter V8 engine (154 kW/210 hp).

In 1997, the 4.0-liter V6 engine with 115 kW ( OHV ) by a stronger variant ( SOHC) was added, which was developed in Cologne and also built. The unit made ​​with one overhead camshaft per cylinder head 152 kW ( 206 hp ) and had the most advanced engine management system in conjunction with an advanced automatic transmission with now 5 courses. The base engine with 115 kW accounted soon for the German market, but was further available in the U.S. until 2001. In Germany, the 4.0-liter V6 was mainly sold with 152 kW.

1998 of retouching at the rear and 1999 on the front ( and Others with round auxiliary lights in the front bumpers ). In principle remained the Explorer during its construction in character largely unchanged. Sales in Europe ended in 2001.

Ford gained attention in 2001 with a scandal in which it was used in the Explorer Firestone tires that threatened to burst at high speed. There were accidents with a total of 174 deaths and many injured, responded to Ford and the tire make changed.

Third generation (2001-2005)

Ford Explorer (2001-2005)

In autumn 2001, the Explorer experienced in the U.S. another model change. The vehicle of the third generation continues to have possessed a box frame, but now offered more space and an optional third row of seats.

In addition, the Explorer got a new round independent suspension and. Regarding the engine offer a revised four-liter V6 engine and a new V8 engine made ​​of light metal

Fourth Generation (2005-2010)

Ford Explorer (2005-2010)

In the late summer of 2005 there was a facelift for the Ford Explorer. The right-hand drive variant for individual export markets ( such as Australia ) accounted for.

In the years 2005 and 2006, sales of the Ford Explorer declined significantly in the United States. Instead, the SUV called " Sport Utility Vehicle" in the United States, the demand shifted to SUVs in the European sense; in the U.S. called "crossover sport utility vehicle " because they provide similar features like SUVs but are more compact and lighter and thus consume less gasoline.

Fifth generation (since 2010)

Ford Explorer Limited ( since 2010)

In December 2010, the fifth-generation Explorer appeared. Appeared in 2012 on the basis of the Explorer Police Interceptor Utility.

The chassis as well as the body has been substantially revised for the new generation of vehicles. The new generation is designed visible aerodynamic, and the interior falls from spacious. Instead V8 engine Ford offers for the Explorer exclusively on in-line four and V6 gasoline engines. The unit has a displacement of 3.5 liters and makes 231 kW, fuel consumption is compared to the previous model, reduce by 25 % - preliminary manufacturer's instructions speak of now 17-25 instead of 14-20 mpg. A four-cylinder engine with 2.0 liter capacity with 177 kW to follow. Exclusive to the Police Interceptor Utility, a large 3.7 l V6 petrol engine is installed.