2013 Ford Explorer Sport EcoBoost Walkaround & SUV Video Review with Chief Engineer Bill Gubing

www.autobytel.c... Autobytel recently caught up with the Explorer's Chief Engineer Bill Gubing for some in-depth info on both the appearance aspects and the performance aspects of the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport SUV.
Up front one of the most notable appearance features is the new front grille. Here we see the contrasting high gloss bars with the low gloss mesh behind that really sets off the front of this vehicle. Ford took the muscular look of the 2011 model and wanted to make the new 2013 model stand out even more. Besides the front grille, Ford created a technical wrap by blacking out the grille, headlights, and also the lower bumper openings. The Explorer name was added to the front of the vehicle for the first time. From the side the large 20-inch wheels with black painted pockets are the first thing you notice. The blacked-out theme continues along the Explorer with blacked-out mirror caps, side skirts, and roof rails. Out back it's more of the same. The taillights have the smoked treatment with the rear diffuser darkened too. The rear eye-catcher though is the dual polished exhaust tips.
Moving to the interior of the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport the first thing you notice is the illuminated kick plate. The interior is all about craftsmanship with many upgrades being added to the Sport trim level. The seats have a sienna color insert with contrast stitching. The Explorer design team looked at European Fashion houses and looked at what was coming out in the Leather world to gain some insights into the future of automobile interior surfaces. The trim pieces have a high metallic look that blend nicely with the blacked-out exterior direction. Sony branded audio is standard with HD radio. The Explorer also features the 8-inch touch screen with MyFord Touch.
Most SUV buyers can be categorized as those either looking for fuel economy or those looking for power. Ford met the needs of both groups with the different EcoBoost engine options. The 2.0 liter EcoBoost is perfect for the fuel economy minded customer and the 3.5 liter EcoBoost V-6 for those looking for more power. In fact the 3.5 liter turbocharged EcoBoost makes 365 horsepower. There is a ton of power that needed to be effectively put down to the road. This is where the AWD system was completely retuned optimizing for the torque sensing system making sure the power would be put to the pavement. The wheels were widened to 9-inches and wrapped in a performance tire. In regards to vehicle dynamics; the body structure was stiffened via a tower to tower brace and a cross tunnel brace. Overall lateral stiffness was increased by 37%.
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[@Aligums]

Keep in mind, this ride is made to suit today's customer demands/drive style; fuel economy, not so much all terrain, with high performance. I love this ride. It does close to 6 secs flat (at sea lvl depending on your load) in 0-60...that's faster then most sedans out there.

[@panaforce]

Pricey for a Ford but still better than most of the other x-overs in the same price range.

[@KGX470]

I'm Asian and I love this car. Only would buy this if I had a family to drive around ...I think this will be great on a road trip or to the mountains

[@Jldblc]

This vehicle hauls ass. It's not a Land Rover. It does share some design aspects. Seeing as Ford used to own Land Rover, they kept some of the design people. Yank your heads out of your asses.

[@macbomb]

You need to do your home work, the current Explorer is 2 years older then the Evoque. And the Evoque uses a modified Ford EUCD platform, and Ford engines. Wonder why they look a like? Some one is fooling you it is not Ford.....

[@SweetWife84]

no you didn't do anything but copy off the Range Rover, stop fooling the innocent customers

[@austina6710]

There isn't a single video yet on replacing the Third Brake Lamp. Can you post one please?

[@kwmj79]

The Range Rover you claim was copied is a 2013 model, the new Explorer is a 2011 model and has been on sale since 2010. So, unless Ford designers drove a Delorean into the future and back, the only innocent customer fooling themselves is you.

[@Fussinated]

All is for nothing, as long as they don't change that speedometer dial that points downward. They have a proper set up for Fusion and C-Max why not use the same thing for Explorer and Edge as well?

[@TimeHopeFaith]

I have a 2011 Explorer, and they did not kill it. Lets be honest, most people buy the Explorer and even have money to buy one lives in the major cities. What do major cities have? Streets, and almost no mud bogging and what not. They compensated it with good technology. The Explorer is a pretty good car.

[@Fussinated]

So, two door segment is standard over there? You mean in England? I didn't know they have such a standard over there.

[@3llay]

ur the man ... i really don't understand when someone that knows nothing about cars comes and start crapping about such matters

[@kwmj79]

Actually, the Land Rover Evoque looks a lot like the Explorer since it's been on the market since 2010 and the Evoque just came out in 2012.

[@Jldblc]

Perhaps Ford kept the secret potions and lotions from the Gaydon design studio when it sold Land Rover to Tata...

[@chryslerfordgm]

EcoBoost is an engine made by Ford...It think it was available on the Taurus since 2010 (not sure(

[@davidhalifax]

This 2013 Explorer is a whopping 9 inches wider and 7 inches longer than a 2001 version.

[@chryslerfordgm]

For the stupid guys down here This Explorer was born in 2011 Range rover 2013

[@Fussinated]

But isn't that a matter of buyer choice instead of being a standard prodcution?

[@Aligums]

You really get what you paid for here. If it wasn't for the myford touch, this ride would be perfect!

[@undertake782]

Ford owned Land Rover until 2008. They have Land Rover's old designer.

[@Mrblonde361249]

I know the evoque has a 2.0 ecoboost engine so who copied who?

[@MCDF.]

Good thing this car has "Explorer" written all over it. I almost forgot.

[@evasenkari]

why did they do this? they cross-over killed it. : (

[@ritchierichh]

Also, the Evoque uses a FORD ecoboost engine.

[@ritchierichh]

Ford came up with the Ecoboost engine.

[@Fussinated]

Oh! I see. Thank you for the information.

[@CJTamino10]

Looks like a Land Rover Evoque

[@MsCoolkid1991]

It looks similar to the land rover

[@Drew_Hawk]

very nice looking car, good review!!

[@henrybrar]

best out there

[@mehman3206]

Ford Rover.

[@mush-999]

Nice

[@A20TV]

ford own land rover i think

[@GearReviewsHD]

Wannabe range rover sport

[@finncampeau4922]

caleb elias ford owned Range Rover at the time so nope your dumb

[@dillonh321]

@@finncampeau4922 Lol. Yep, you are 100 percent correct. At this time Land Rover was Ford.