Explorer Gets An Aussie Upgrade
The Age
Thursday June 3, 1999
While Ford is staying hush about its Falcon-based four-wheel drive wagon, it is blowing its trumpet about the next upgrade of the American-built Explorer. The big and bulky Explorer is tailor made for America, where it has built a name for being the biggest selling off-road vehicle in the world. However, it has failed to win nearly as many hearts in Australia, selling below its initial sales estimates of between 4000 and 5000 annually.
But with more than 3500 buyers in each of the last two years, the Explorer's grunty engine has arguably been its saving grace. The 4.0-litre V6 packs a pretty mean punch for a two tonne vehicle, and with the five-speed automatic (which also gets a more powerful engine) it makes for easy overtaking and strong acceleration.
The problem with Explorer lies with much of the rest of the car, something Ford is realising and has decided to attend to, particularly the ride-handling package, which is an area in which Australians demand more refinement compared with their American new car counterparts.
Ford has taken the Explorer to outback Australia to use first-hand test results to develop its suspension tune with better dampers. On mid and top-spec XLT and Limited models there's a new self-levelling rear suspension system that stops the car sagging in the bum, no matter what the load on board.
There's no getting away from the ancient leaf-sprung rear-end suspension set-up though, and that's ultimately what lets the Explorer down a lot. Still, Ford claims the new Australian-specific set-up "handled the wide range of Australian conditions".
Another plus for the Explorer is its level of specification, with prices starting from $40,500 for the base XL, $48,500 for the XLT and $60,000 for the Limited (which won't be available until July). As well as front airbags and anti-lock brakes on all models, the luxury Limited version gets front side airbags. The side airbags are also being offered on XL and XLT models as an introductory no-cost option, before later becoming an extra cost option.
New bits on the Explorer include a bronze wheel arch and bumper treatment on XLT models as well as side steps to make getting in and out of the XLT easier. There's also a retractable cargo blind on XLT and Limited models. XLs now get 16-inch alloy wheels.
All models get a split tailgate for easier access to the huge boot area and there's a set of front driving lights in the redesigned bumper. Also across the range are dual sunvisors, a handy feature when the sun is coming into the car from the side.
© 1999 The Age