Ford's Upcoming High-Performance Explorer Spotted for the First Time
The next-generation Ford Explorer has been caught on camera for the first time.
When the redone Explorer reaches showrooms in 2020 it will be virtually unrecognizable compared to the current truck. It will be the SUV’s first comprehensive redesign in nearly a decade, and significantly, the Explorer is expected to revert back to a rear-wheel-drive setup thanks to Ford’s new modular CD6 platform which will be configurable in front, rear, or all-wheel-drive layouts.
Significantly, the vehicle caught testing is believed to be the more powerful Explorer ST which follows in the Edge’s footsteps of offering more performance from non-performance vehicles. It’s unclear if the Explorer will continue with the current Sport model’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost engine, or if it will downsize to a version of Ford’s 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6.
SEE ALSO: 2019 Ford Edge and Edge ST Video, Top 5 Things You Need to Know
It’s difficult to glean much information from this initial batch of photos, dimensionally it looks much similar to the outgoing model, however, it does seem to be doing it’s best Dodge Durango impression with a full-width light bar stretching across the rear hatch. Look for the Explorer ST to add more aggressive styling, tuning, along with a significant price bump.
Expect Ford to show off the new Explorer early next year.
A version of this story originally appeared on All Ford Mustangs.
More by Michael Accardi
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why does it have dodge durango back lights...come on ford..