2011 Ford Explorer Receives its First Recall

Ford's freshly launched 2011 Explorer SUV has received its first safety recall for a problem concerning the second row of seats. The recall affects approximately 1,658 Explorers made between July and December of last year.

According to a filling with federal safety regulators, the manual recliner mechanisms of the second row seats may "have components that are out of dimensional specification". The NHTSA said that in the event of a crash, "the seat back may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury."

The Detroit automaker said that as of January 21, 2011, it is not aware of any reports of this condition on vehicles in customer service.

Ford said it will notify owners and dealers will repair the seats free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about February 14, 2011. Owners of the affected models may contact the company's customer service at 1-866-436-7332.

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VIDEO: Sanitation Workers Wreak Havoc on a Parked Ford Explorer

Even if you know your winter driving ABCs and have properly equipped your car, sometimes there’s no way to avoid getting snowed in. Should that happen in a thriving metropolis, chances are that the sanitation “cavalry” will have your back covered. However, this wasn’t the case in New York, as a Sanitation Department loader got stuck and, in what can only be described as a very poor effort of trying to free it, the on-the-scene personnel seriously damaged a city owned - ah, the irony - Ford Explorer parked nearby.

Check out the video after the jump to see dumb and dumber at work.

By Csaba Daradics

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2011 Ford Explorer V6 Rated by EPA at 17mpg city and 25 mpg Highway

The official EPA fuel-economy numbers have been posted for the V6 Ti-VCT version of Ford's chunky 2011 Explorer. The 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine produces 292 hp, or 80 ponies more than the outgoing model’s 4.0-liter V6. Despite the power increase, the new crossover returns an EPA-certified 17 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, which accounts to a 25 percent improvement over the previous V6 model.

“The new Explorer V6 with twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) delivers a keen balance between power and fuel economy,” said Jim Holland, chief engineer. “An efficient six-speed transmission mated to this efficient V6 helps Explorer deliver 25 percent better fuel efficiency. This raises the bar for full-size SUVs, and will change buyer expectations for the entire segment.”

In order to achieve this, Ford engineers made the Explorer more aerodynamic, while they also used electric power steering for the first time, reducing parasitic engine drag, alongside a fuel shutoff system and improved engine components to minimize internal friction.

Furthermore, the new Explorer also shaved 100 lb (45 kg) in weight over the previous generation model, partially due to the new unibody structure.

The V6 Explorer will be followed by a 2.0-liter turbocharged model, which according to Ford, is estimated to deliver a 30 percent increase in fuel economy.

By Csaba Daradics

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2011 Ford Explorer SUV Development Continues in Dubai [with Video]

Ford has released some new pictures and video footage of the new Explorer SUV hot-weather testing in Dubai. According to the Dearborn automaker, with a 50 percent humidity factor and midday temperatures pushing over 125 degrees Fahrenheit, the desert climate provides "an ideal environment to test and validate vehicle performance in some of the world's most extreme conditions."

Chief Engineer for Vehicle Engineering Don Ufford adds one more reason to the list as to why Ford's trying out the new 7-seater Explorer in Dubai, and that is to listen to what local customers have to say about the SUV model.

"We regularly sell close to 10,000 Explorers per year in the Middle East market," Ufford says. "SUV drivers in this part of the world regularly use the broad range of capabilities these vehicles offer. Our rationale for testing in Dubai is simple: If we can perform well here, we can do well anywhere."

Along with numerous other tests, including for the effectiveness of the air conditioning system, Ford claims Dubai also offers unique terrain characteristics to validate the Explorer's four-wheel drive capabilities.

"Customers here regularly drop tire pressure and head off into the sand dunes for off-road vehicular recreation," said Ufford. "We wanted to make the terrain management system on the new Explorer easy and intuitive to use so customers have the confidence to go off-road without worrying about whether they have properly engaged all the vehicle systems."

The freshly revealed 2011 Explorer will be offered in the States with a choice of two engines, either a 290HP 3.5-liter V6 or a 235HP 2.0-liter EcoBoost Turbo four-pot. Sales in North America will begin later this year, while Ford plans to export the Explorer to more than 90 markets globally starting from early 2011.

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2011 Ford Explorer SUV Development Continues in Dubai [with Video]

Ford has released some new pictures and video footage of the new Explorer SUV hot-weather testing in Dubai. According to the Dearborn automaker, with a 50 percent humidity factor and midday temperatures pushing over 125 degrees Fahrenheit, the desert climate provides "an ideal environment to test and validate vehicle performance in some of the world's most extreme conditions."

Chief Engineer for Vehicle Engineering Don Ufford adds one more reason to the list as to why Ford's trying out the new 7-seater Explorer in Dubai, and that is to listen to what local customers have to say about the SUV model.

"We regularly sell close to 10,000 Explorers per year in the Middle East market," Ufford says. "SUV drivers in this part of the world regularly use the broad range of capabilities these vehicles offer. Our rationale for testing in Dubai is simple: If we can perform well here, we can do well anywhere."

Along with numerous other tests, including for the effectiveness of the air conditioning system, Ford claims Dubai also offers unique terrain characteristics to validate the Explorer's four-wheel drive capabilities.

"Customers here regularly drop tire pressure and head off into the sand dunes for off-road vehicular recreation," said Ufford. "We wanted to make the terrain management system on the new Explorer easy and intuitive to use so customers have the confidence to go off-road without worrying about whether they have properly engaged all the vehicle systems."

The freshly revealed 2011 Explorer will be offered in the States with a choice of two engines, either a 290HP 3.5-liter V6 or a 235HP 2.0-liter EcoBoost Turbo four-pot. Sales in North America will begin later this year, while Ford plans to export the Explorer to more than 90 markets globally starting from early 2011.

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Ford Debuts 2011 Explorer Based Police Interceptor Utility

Welcome to the next-generation Ford Explorer Pursuit, aka the Police Interceptor Utility. This, for lack of a better term, is the "wagon" version of the Taurus Interceptor. Got a 0.50-cal or a K-9? You're gonna be in this thing.

Designed to "complement the sedan", the Explorer Pursuit will be available for order next to the sedan when the Crown Vic finally passes away (so don't be shy about trying something new, 5-0!). It will also be 20% more efficient than the outgoing Panther-based cruiser.

Of Ford's first official police utility vehicle, Mark Fields says, "We understand today's police departments require adaptability. Ford is committed to remaining the nation's largest provider of police vehicles, and we're offering law enforcement officials a complete portfolio of options that are purpose-built, capable and delivered with the safety, technology and performance they need to excel at their jobs."

Much like its sedan counterpart (after all, the new Explorer is really more of a Taurus X), the Explorer Pursuit will come with Ford's 280-horsepower, E85-compatible 3.5-liter V6 and a 6-speed automatic. While not confirmed, we could possibly see an EcoBoost V6 down the line if departments request it.

Like current Ford police cars, as well as the upcoming Taurus Interceptor, it will be able to take a 75-mph hit to the rear and pack several airbags into that pending rollover. There's also curve control, which allows the car's computer to nanny drivers into a more practical turn by cutting vehicle speed by 10 mph.

According to Ford, the Utility incorporates a cop radiator and cop alternator, cop brakes, and 18-inch wheels as standard. Inside, seats are designed to handle utility belts while a column shifter provides plenty of space for computer/tech integration. Other than all the sedan's standard specs (including front- or all-wheel drive), the Explorer Pursuit also snags Roll Stability Control (RSC).

Is it a Chevy Tahoe SUV? No, but nowadays maybe it doesn't have to be.

By Phil Alex

Photo Gallery: Ford Police Interceptor Utility