The beloved SUV is finally starting to shed its “gas guzzler” distinction, thanks to vehicles like the new 2013 Explorer SUV from Ford Motor Comp. (F). Ford unveiled this morning its upgraded model, which brings a new marquee submodel, the Ford Explorer Sport.
Ford has been putting a lot of pressure on fellow automakers with its premium package consumer vehicles, which often offer features sets that are quite competitive with its rivals’ luxury brand vehicles.
The Explorer Sport has been empowered with Ford’s twin-turbocharged, gasoline direct injection (GDI) equipped “Ecoboost” branded V6 engine, which previously popped up in the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO, the 2010 Ford Flex, the 2011 F-150, and a pair of Lincoln branded vehicles (the MKS and MKT).
Ford did not list the exact horespower of its latest tuned Ecoboost V6, but it’s expected to deliver over 350 hp, while offering up 16 mpg city, 25 mpg highway.
Ford says that’s anticipated to be 3/2 mpg better (city/highway, respectively) than Chrysler’s Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango R/T with 5.7L Hemi engines, and 3/4 mpg better than the Land Rover Range Rover Sport (Land Rover is a Tata Motor Comp. (BSE:500570) subsidiary previously owned by Ford).
Aside from beating its rivals by double digit percentages in the fuel economy department, the new SUV is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds.
The model also comes with special new trim and the rejuvenated distribution of MyFord Touch, which was added to the base Explorer model in 2011. The vehicle also has a high-tech set of options, which include Active Park Assist (APS), Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), and Push Button Start.
In July of last year, Ford introduced a “lesser” four-cylinder EcoBoost version of the Explorer.