Not just bigger than the Mercedes GLE! And see how the sixth generation of explorers called out luxury SUVs
In the US SUV market, Ford is definitely a leader, and its Explorer is an enduring classic model. After 30 years of precipitation, 6 generations of models, Ford Explorer has accumulated sales of more than 8 million vehicles worldwide so far, achieving huge market success and enjoying a huge number of fans.
In the film "The X-Files", the explorer is used as a police officer
In the American drama "Magic Police Thief Detective", FBI agent Peter Burke dispatched dozens of explorers to intercept the aircraft in order to intercept the criminals who were about to take off, and the explorer's strong power performance and acceleration performance were at a glance; and the explorer's many advanced driving assistance technologies were perfectly presented in the episode "X-Files"...
In addition to the tough shots in thousands of film and television works, the evolution of the past 30 years has also made it have a historical precipitation that many other cars do not have - it is not only the history of SUV development, but also an important witness and participant in the history of American automobiles.
It has been passed down for 30 years
In March 1990, Ford launched the first generation of explorers, the first generation of explorers took into account the economy and practicality, three-door, five-door or rear-drive, four-wheel drive different configurations, for different needs of consumers to provide more choices. As a result, the original Explorer sold nearly 300,000 units a year after its launch, and won the honor of "North America's SUV of the Year". It was also the launch of Explorer that transformed suvs from niche models to one of the most popular models in the world, driving the development of SUV models.
First Generation Explorers (1991-1994)
Five years later, Ford launched the second generation of Explorers in 1995, upgrading the exterior, interior and suspension system to make it more stylish and comfortable. At the same time, in terms of safety, the second generation of explorers have also achieved the same period without reservation, achieving the ultimate safety. The second generation of Explorers also uses the industry's first ControlTrac automatic four-wheel drive system that uses software to intelligently and automatically control multi-piece clutches, providing high-speed two-wheel drive, high-speed four-wheel drive and low-speed four-wheel drive for greater functionality and intelligence.
Second Generation Explorer (1995-2001)
Ford launched the third generation of Explorers in 2002, and it became more consumer-aware. In addition to the changes in the interior and exterior design, the third generation of explorers also introduced a lot of popular configurations, while adjusting the size, so that the car has a more spacious space, the introduction of independent rear suspension also allows passengers to have a more comfortable riding experience.
Third Generation Explorer (2002-2005)
Four years after the third-generation model was launched, the Explorers welcomed the fourth generation again in 2006. At this time, it has been exactly 15 years since the launch of the first generation of explorers, and its global sales have reached 5.5 million. This generation of explorers adopted a new frame, bringing greater body size, and the NVH performed better, becoming the quietest car in its class.
Fourth Generation Explorer (2006-2010)
In 2011, Ford launched the fifth generation of Explorer, which won the honor of "North American Multifunctional Model of the Year" as soon as it was launched, in addition to the improvement in appearance, it also reached the same level of benchmarking in fuel economy, safety, performance, quality and other aspects. In addition, for the first time, the model is equipped with a convenient and intuitive intelligent four-wheel drive terrain management system TMS, and two turbocharged engines of 2.3T and 3.5T are added to achieve stronger power and lower fuel consumption. By the way, the fifth generation of explorers is also a generation of models that have officially entered the country.
Fifth Generation Explorer (2011-2019)
After the inheritance of the five generations of models, it is clear that the strength of the sixth generation of models will be stronger.
Sixth generation explorer
Thirty and Standing, the most powerful explorer ever
The explorer of the founding year has its fierce figure in thousands of film and television works, and in these 30 years, the faith of this "tough guy" has become more firm. It is no exaggeration to say that the evolved explorers seem to stand at the top of the biological chain of medium and large SUVs.
So, after 30 years of metamorphosis, what kind of surprises did the sixth generation of explorers bring?
Unique American luxury design
The sixth generation of explorers not only inherits all the "good genes" of the overseas version, but also localizes the preferences of Chinese consumers.
For example, the middle net, which is more in line with the aesthetics of the Chinese people, has a larger longitudinal height and can create a thicker visual effect for the front of the car. At the same time, the grille decorative parts have changed from the overseas version of the continuous chrome decoration to the dot matrix chrome decoration, which is more in line with the Chinese people's interpretation of the sense of luxury.
Not only that, the sixth generation of explorers also fully meets the chinese consumers' demands for interior technology and luxury. The T-shaped center console shape, the standard 12.8-inch high-definition central control large screen, is very technological and simple design beauty.
Larger body size than Mercedes GLE
Often we elaborate on the dimensions of other models to be accurate to the millimeter, but for the sixth generation of Ford Explorers, the use of "meter" as a unit of measurement can already show its domineering: the sixth-generation Ford Explorer with a length of more than 5 meters, a width of more than 2 meters, and a wheelbase of more than 3 meters will become a well-deserved "big brother" in the joint venture SUV after being introduced into China by Changan Ford, and even a large and medium-sized SUV of luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz GLE (wheelbase 2995mm).
The major body sizes not only allow the sixth generation of Ford Explorers to have a more atmospheric design, but also fully meet the needs of multi-tire families in terms of riding space.
The rare CD6 longitudinal rear-drive platform of the same class
The size of the mid-size SUV surpassing that of luxury brands is the biggest feature of the new sixth-generation Ford Explorer, but its real courage to call itself a flagship does not stop at size. After all, everyone understands that building a car with a large size is not a difficult task, the real difficulty is how to balance the awkwardness between body size and vehicle handling, and only by solving this problem can we have the strength to truly compete with the large and medium-sized SUVs of luxury brands.
At the beginning of development, the sixth-generation Ford Explorer chose the CD6 longitudinal rear-drive platform with a higher cost but achieving a 50:50 gold counterweight ratio.
The longitudinal rear drive, which means a more balanced front and rear axle counterweights, a larger front suspension layout space, higher handling limits, and more expensive costs, is one of the important signs of excellent chassis quality, and it is also a potential standard in the cognition of luxury cars. Looking at the same class of models, the medium and large SUVs with the longitudinal rear-drive platform platform are luxury SUV models such as BMW X5 and Cadillac XT6.
For consumers, explorers from the new generation of CD6 vertical rear-drive platforms can give real value. Includes a 2.3T+10AT powertrain with a maximum power of 276 hp and a maximum torque of 425 Nm; a counterweight ratio of 50:50 front and rear; a double ball spring damping pillar aluminum alloy front suspension and integrated multi-link rear suspension with a large number of aluminum components; and an intelligent four-wheel drive system with 6 terrain management modes.
These cross-level mechanical qualities mean that the explorer's chassis texture and driving experience are not only better than the same level of models, but also have reached the level of luxury cars.
A smarter travel experience
Of course, the strong mechanical quality of the sixth-generation Ford Explorer is only the inheritance and foundation of its glory, in the face of the impact of the new era of technology, the sixth-generation Ford Explorer is also equipped with a wealth of forward-looking intelligent technology, the standard L2-level Ford Co-Pilot 360TM intelligent driving assistance system, and the upgraded version of SYNC+ Intelligent Travel infotainment system, in terms of safety and human-computer interaction have reached the same level of leading level.
First of all, in terms of intelligent driver assistance systems, the Ford Co-Pilot 360TM Intelligent Driving Assistance System can effectively help vehicles avoid accidents in time before they occur.
The whole vehicle is covered with 20 radars and cameras, and by activating the LC intelligent pilot assistance system, the vehicle can maintain a central cruising in the 0-180km/h full speed segment and maintain a corresponding safe distance from the vehicle in front. Limited by current laws and regulations, the driver must hold the steering wheel in his hand. But in fact, the new sixth-generation Ford Explorer can fully achieve single-lane driving, which is also the best evidence that this car is armed to the teeth in the driverless configuration.
In addition to the rich intelligent driving system, the sixth generation of Ford Explorer also comes standard with an upgraded version of SYNC+ Zhixing infotainment system: AI intelligent recognition of up to 70 kinds of fuzzy semantics, to achieve navigation, voice, entertainment, air conditioning, smart home, service, seat, atmosphere lights and other 8 loud control functions, greatly improving the convenience and entertainment of daily use of cars.
Jostan Judd writes in Sophie's World, "I will not allow you to become as feelingless and indifferent as everyone else. I want you to have a curious, inquisitive mind. Similarly, from the birth of the first generation to the present, the exploration of the unknown and the spirit of innovation that has always been adhered to are the characteristics of Ford Explorers for 30 years. Today, the sixth generation of Ford Explorers has been innovating for a long time, fully benchmarking BBA in terms of space, performance, configuration, comfort and luxury experience. In its thirties, the sixth generation of explorers has brought consumers a transcendent value presentation.
The people evaluate the car
Now, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Ford Explorer, the 30th Anniversary Edition of the Ford Explorer is officially launched, with a limited edition of 600 new cars and will soon be available in stores. At the same time, in order to thank every era explorer, Ford Explorer with EVOS, Ruijie launched a "billion yuan big reward" and other sincere gratitude feedback and heart-warming services, interested partners may wish to go to the local 4S store to learn more about it.