Editor-in-Chief | Zhong Kun
Author | Hulu Man
Edit | Chen Shuhao
Reports from car hoist circles
Many car fans say that the car markets in China and the United States are relatively close in style, and they like to drive big cars and like spacious and luxurious experiences...
However, medium and large SUVs that sell well in North America have generally had the problem of "water and soil dissatisfaction" after coming to China. Today, many medium and large SUVs of ordinary joint venture brands, if not "a handful", but at least can not enter the mainstream range.
"Medium and large SUVs do not sell well in China" seems to have become the "objective law" of the domestic car market. However, there are car companies such as Changan Ford who do not believe in evil, not only introduce such a big guy as the explorer in an original way, but also synchronize with overseas and drastically complete the mid-term redesign of the explorer.
Changan Ford's wave of operations, seems to be very confident?
As for whether the key to the final break is not only whether the explorers after the mid-term restructuring are good enough in product strength, but also whether the new car can erase the "pain point problem" of medium and large SUVs in China.
Explorer of the mid-term revamp
What did you change?
As early as March, Ford's official website had already released information about the Explorer's remodeled model. Judging from the information released by the official combined with the new car declaration information, the "change" of the Explorer's redesigned model is mainly focused on the exterior interior design of the vehicle, and it is expected that there will be a certain improvement in the intelligent configuration.
In fact, in terms of design, the Ford Explorer as an original "American large-size SUV", it has always been shown in a "rugged" style. The detail setting without trimming gives this car the visual sense of a cowboy in the American West.
Imagine wearing a denim outfit with a strong wild atmosphere, and the explorer's car seems to be naturally suitable for the wilderness. Is it appropriate to come to the CBD of China's big cities? Maybe not quite.
In the process of mid-term revamps, the explorers completed their own "refinement" upgrade.
In the front part of the new car, Ford modified almost all elements. The large-mouth grille has become a slightly amplitude of the square shape, with a flatter lamp style, the new car appears more three-dimensional in the front part of the car, but also enhances its own refined features.
Coming to the sides and tail of the vehicle, the revamped Explorer still retains an overall shape similar to the yacht style. However, the taillights of the vehicle have adopted a C shape, and the overall style has become fashionable to the naked eye.
On the whole, the revamped explorer, on the appearance level alone, is like a "red neck" cut a more neat and fashionable hairstyle, and put on a suit, from "Stallone" to "Beckham". There is no doubt that such a texture evolution will attract the attention of more Chinese urban users.
If a more fashionable exterior style opens the door to China's fashion city for explorers; then the evolution of the interior level opens a window for explorers to a young market.
Inside, the new car is still designed with the concept of "yacht", which is to put it bluntly with a wide and luxurious material as a supplement, as far as possible to present a sense of luxury. However, after the mid-term redesign, the Explorer's interior has incorporated the popular "digital concept", making the atmosphere inside the carriage look more refined and more luxurious.
The Explorer's current model uses a large vertical layout screen, let's not talk about whether its functionality is outstanding. From the perspective of interaction quality alone, such design thinking is limited. For example, Ford once integrated the air conditioning control button into the screen. In extreme environments, it may cause the problem of the car machine system crashing, and at this time, not only the car machine system can not be used, even the air conditioning can not be controlled.
But on the new car, Ford optimized for this bug. The vertical screen, which became a set of horizontal oversized screens, was somewhat similar to the Ford EOVS, but was not connected to the full LCD instrument cluster.
Below, we found a separate air conditioning control area, and the use of virtual + realistic combination of operation mode, so that the overall convenience is improved a lot.
Solve the BUG of medium and large SUVs
Talent can be called a good car
In China, although consumers like large cars, congested urban roads and narrow streets and alleys are not very friendly to medium and large SUVs such as explorers. Sitting spacious and comfortable is the truth, and it is also true that there is no bottom in the heart when it is opened.
What the mid-term revamp Explorer needs to solve is to continue to maintain a spacious, comfortable ride texture while making themselves "flexible".
In fact, in the 2020 model, Changan Ford has given a variety of solutions. For example, the whole series is equipped with reversing side warning and active safety system, in addition to the fashion version of the model, the whole series of models are equipped with 360-degree panoramic images and front parking radar, through scientific and technological means to make up for the large blind area of the vehicle, driving difficulties and other issues.
However, the solution given by the 2020 model is not perfect. Bringing it into actual driving, explorers still have a lot of room to rise in these technological configurations.
For example, the lowest fashion version of the model, in fact, is the sales of the bearer, after the mid-term redesign, can the explorer be equipped with panoramic images and front parking radar?
For example, for the driver's limited field of vision, can the new model provide HUD head-up display and high-definition streaming mirror function?
For example, in view of the inconvenience of reversing in the alley, can the new explorer provide a follow-up function?
If the explorers after the redesign can solve the problem of "big cars are not easy to drive" with richer technology configurations and driving assistance configurations, then new cars will naturally have the opportunity to enter the mainstream stage.
Of course, the premise of all this is that the explorer needs to continue to maintain the excellent comfort performance of the current large size.
Judging from the 2020 models, the Interior Comfort of the Explorer, whether it is body space or a 6/7 seat optional seat layout, is superior to its peers. As for the new car after the remodeling, it will also maintain the advantages of the old model such as large space and a variety of seat layouts, coupled with the interior atmosphere has become more refined, so the sense of grade and comfort inside the new car is also what we do not need to worry about.
Keep that purity
Explorers may be the last "keepers"
The new drive technologies of electric, hybrid and light hybrid can indeed bring a greener and more economical car experience. However, for many old-school fans, people still want to hear pure "fuel roar". In the current medium and large SUV market, many models have been equipped with 2.0T engines and 48V light hybrid systems or plug-in hybrid systems, for pure fuel fans, this "novelty" may not be particularly attractive...
The most attractive thing about the sixth-generation Ford Explorer is its sheer mechanical aspect. The revamped Explorer will continue to retain the 2.3T+10AT "Mustang Power Combo" as it does now.
Seeing this, some fans may have a little disappointment: Overseas, don't explorers have a 3.0T + 10AT power combination? Why doesn't Changan Ford use it? The V6 engine is worthy of this big guy!
In fact, so far, you don't have to think about the explorers of 3.0T. Leaving aside the need for double points, within Changan Ford, in order to make way for the Lincoln Aviator, which is also built for the CD6 platform, the Ford Explorer will naturally not carry the same combination of power as the aviator.
Moreover, the power of the 2.3T engine is also enough. On the current model, the engine can provide a power reserve of 203kW and 425N·m, enough for the explorer to complete 0-100km/h acceleration in 8 seconds. This "Mustang SUV" is also enough to make people excited.
It is worth saying that although the adventurer is a medium-sized SUV with a large displacement and a large weight, this guy does not have the common problem of "high fuel consumption of large cars". Under the working conditions of NEDC, its fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is only about 9L; and in the actual driving process of the owner, its comprehensive fuel consumption of 100 kilometers is also generally in the range of 10.5-12.0L, which is a change in the impression of the "oil tiger" of american cars.
In addition to the power system is old-fashioned enough to bring users a passionate experience, the Explorer's CD6 platform is actually very interesting. Structurally, the explorers employed a longitudinal rear-drive platform. Looking at the domestic medium and large SUV market, almost only the BBA's medium and large SUV is still adhering to the structure of the vertical platform.
From the experience point of view, the Explorer's CD6 platform will certainly reduce the utilization of space to a certain extent, but it is undeniable that this platform can bring a more reasonable body counterweight ratio, with high-end McPherson front suspension and multi-link rear suspension and a stable four-wheel drive system, the Explorer's control feel will also be upgraded. The car's agility, stability, and even its body posture in the corners are not comparable to the largeR SUVs in the transverse platform.
epilogue
In the past, we always said that the Ford Explorer was a loyal old-school, traditional American medium to large SUV.
However, with the advent of the mid-term overhaul, we saw a positive change in attitude towards the car. In order to adapt to Chinese consumers who understand the trend and pursue exquisite life, the mid-term reform explorer has also made corresponding evolution and upgrades. Although the current prospects for the medium and large SUV market are not clear, we also have enough reasons to believe that explorers who are sincere and work harder to improve themselves have made thorough preparations and waited for new growth in this market.
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