Exploring the Explorer

Released in 1990 and is continually being manufactured at present, the Ford Explorer is a midsize sport utility vehicle that is crafted by the Ford Motor Company. Since its introduction, the Ford Explorer has never failed to be the best-selling midsize SUV in the United States. Also, its claim to fame is that it is one of the vehicles that is instrumental in turning the SUV from a special-interest vehicle to become one of the most popular vehicle types out on the road. The Ford Motor Company is certainly proud of this vehicle because amongst many vehicles in its segment, the Ford Explorer was one of the nominees for the North American Truck of the Year Award for 2006.

This vehicle was released in March 1990 as a 1991 model, and it replaced the Bronco II. The make of this vehicle was based on the Ford Ranger compact pick up truck and it held a 4.0 liter 155 horsepower V6 engine that held a 4-speed automatic transmission. The Ford Explorer was made available in four trim levels and this included the base XL, the XLT, the Sport which was a two-door version, and the upscale Eddie Bauer. This vehicle offered automatic headlights, fog lamps, an automatic transmission as standard equipment, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, a center roof console with compass and outside thermometer, special wheels, and a special grille. Come 2001, the Ford Motor Company then introduced the Explorer Sport Trac which was mainly a small pick up bed behind the four normal SUV doors.

As per the latest changes done to the Ford Explorer, this vehicle now sported a new, stronger base, a new interior, redesigned rear suspension, and power-folding third-row seats. Also standard for this vehicle is a tire-pressure monitoring system and electronic stability control. It also contains power running boards that retract when the vehicle is in motion. It will hold a 210 horsepower 4.0 liter V6 as its base engine. It has more power, an improved fuel economy, low emissions, new advanced safety technologies, class-leading interior quietness, improved ride comfort and a bolder styling. The Ford Motor Company certainly bothered to take time to facilitate a safe driving and experience in the 2006 Ford Explorer. It has ten standard advanced safety technologies in it among which seven of these are new to the mid-size SUV class. This includes AdvanceTrac® with class-exclusive Roll Stability Control that helps out in preventing accidents from occurring. It also has side-impact roll over protection and new safety technologies that assist in altering frontal-impact protection.

Phil Martens, group vice president of Ford Motor Company's Product Creation department was noted to state, "We are fortunate to have the largest base of SUV customers in the industry. The input of more than five million owners helped influence the changes we made to the 2006 Explorer. The result refines what has made the Explorer such a success, while improving everything from the towing capacity to the choice of interior trim."

Locating Ford Explorer parts and Ford parts is made available 24 hours a day at Ford Parts Online's online store.