Story & photos by Patrick Tulfo
FORD Philippines is certainly keeping its lineup of vehicles in the country interesting. Two weeks ago it introduced the new Focus. In another launch held on November 11 at the Rockwell Tent in Makati City, the new Ford Explorer was unveiled.
A beaming Kay Hart, managing director of Ford Philippines, proudly announced the arrival of the newest iteration of their best-selling Explorer Sport sport-utility vehicle (SUV). She said in her introductory speech,” The Explorer Sport continues to lead the way in innovation, power and performance in a smart vehicle that you would want in an SUV.” After a short video presentation on the SUV, the Magnetic Metallic Explorer Sport emerged onstage amid billows of smoke.
The new Explorer is even better looking than before. It retains the shape of the current model, however, there is a significant change anchored on the vehicle’s fascia, which feature a new high gloss black grille that highlights the blue oval badge. Its headlights were also redesigned to go well with the new grille along with one of the longest LED powered daytime running lamps, or DRLs, in the SUV segment to date.
The front bumper with new lower skirts now features a pair of C-shaped fog lamps that add more flair to an already mean looking front end. And to top it all, a new aggressively designed Explorer hood badge caps the overall look nicely.
Aside from the newly overhauled front, the Explorer Sport is also fitted with a new closed-off lower roof rack together with the new rear spoiler, which is said to improve its aerodynamics. The 20-inch machined aluminum wheels with painted pockets complete the sporty look. They not only look good but also improve the vehicle’s ride and handling, as well.
The interior is an all-black premium leather affair with red accent stitching covering all the seats. The front seats are powered, and can be heated and cooled. The adaptive cruise control, which was present in the model it replaces, has been maintained. Other features that are still part of the package are the dual mounted headrest monitors, the premium Sony entertainment system with 12 speakers and the front monitor that displays the function of Ford’s exclusive SYNC, which is also found in other current Ford models. SYNC gives the driver control over all the functions of the vehicle via voice command. One new addition to its already impressive plethora of features is the smart-charging USB ports in the front and rear of the vehicle. The two USB ports are designed to charge smart devices up to two times faster than conventional ports. Another is the segment’s first and exclusive front 180-degree camera with washer, which eliminates the hassle of a blurry screen when parking.
The Front Park Assist technology, which this scribe experienced during the Focus launch, is also now available on the new Explorer Sport. This technology makes parking nightmares a thing of the past. And last, the Hand-Free Lift gate will surely be a boon to those who are carrying items they need to place inside the vehicle and don’t have the time to fumble around for the keys.
A sensor in the middle of the rear bumper automatically opens the rear door with simple kicking motion.
The new Explorer Sport is still powered by the same 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine with EcoBoost. It’s rated at 370 hp and, more important, has 470 Nm of torque to get it up to speed quickly and seamlessly. The engine is mated to a six-speed Select Shift automatic transmission that promises an even better driving experience than before.
In her speech, Hart expounded on the beauty of their EcoBoost technology. She said, “Our EcoBoost engine is the perfect example of technology that optimizes performance. We’ve also made sure to keep the Explorer Sports’s adventurous personality, while continuing to offer fuel efficiency without sacrificing power. We’re confident that the new Explorer Sport will exceed the expectations of our customers yet again.”
The new 3.5-liter Explorer Sport is expected to give its competitors a run for their money and will be available in all Ford dealerships nationwide this month at a very competitive price of P2.819 million. It comes in three elegant colors: Tuxedo Black, White Platinum and Magnetic Metallic.
Image credits: Patrick Tulfo