New Explorer... no diesel, of course
I just finished my write-up of the new (redesigned) 2011 Ford Explorer. To comply with the government's ridiculous 35 MPG "fleet average" fuel economy edict, Ford got rid of the Explorer's V-8 and turned the whole thing into a light-duty "crossover" that's got minimal towing and off-road ability.
If they had just put a diesel in the thing, they could have kept the truck-based architecture (and capability) while also making the government happy.
But, no.
They had to transform the formerly useful Explorer into another mostly useless "crossover" wagon.
Thanks, Uncle Sam
and Territory also ..but it is planned
We haven't had Explorer here for a few years. The Territory is the Aussie equivalent although not an off-roader, but a soft roader.
It has a straight 6 and earlier had a turbo 6 option, but that seems to have been dropped
Why they don't use a torquey diesel beats me.
Ford had the opportunity to get the best of both worlds when they owned Landrover (for the 4WD) and Volvo (for the diesel):confused:
Aussies can't see past the V8 square when it comes to big cars. But things are changing. Many more European diesels now here on our roads. Mercedes BMW PSA group, Ford, plus the Korean GM Cars
