Ford's Explorer, back from the dead

Ford Motor is trying to jump-start one of its most iconic models. On Jan. 13 at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), the embattled Detroit automaker took the wraps off an all-new concept, the Explorer America. The prototype vehicle is a tease of what the future might hold for a once popular SUV.

Sales of which have cratered thanks to rising fuel prices, safety problems, and buyers' growing environmental concerns.

Though designed to look like a rough-and-tumble SUV, the new Explorer America is built on a carlike unibody frame rather than a traditional truck frame. This setup, commonly referred to as a crossover, drastically improves fuel economy, drivability, and safety. Marisa Bradley, a Ford spokeswoman, says the new vehicle is also intended to serve as a "poster child" for the company's recently announced line of so-called EcoBoost engines, which further improve fuel economy via turbo...

Last Update on : February 4, 2008    By : Matt Vella

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