2020 Ford Explorer, now with RWD officially revealed

ABU DHABI: Ford, the blue oval brand from America is on a roll. It has been not many days when the automaker took the covers off the all-new Police Interceptor and here’s another reveal. This time it’s the next-gen Ford Explorer, which looks quite upmarket and sleeker than before. With plenty of features, amenities and options, the new 2020 Ford Explorer is all set to give you thrills.

The Explorer has been given a major design overhaul. Starting with the front, the model gets a redesigned grille, new bumper,  skid plate, and horizontally-placed headlights whose inspiration has been taken from the Ford Edge SUV. Additionally, the front overhang is now shorter than before and there is a pleasing sloping roofline that aggrandizes its side profile.

No major changes have been done at the rear, the Explorer features an updated rear bumper, subtle tailgate modifications, which also includes the use of chrome and the new LED taillights.

Inside, the new Ford Explorer is even more pleasing. The cabin gets intuitive components, sleek layout, and more than satisfactory finish. At the centre, you get a tablet-like 10-inch infotainment system with advanced SYNC 3, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Waze support. The second-row seats get a new captain-style that promise to provide the ultimate comfort.

More to its splendours are a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen 980W audio system, wireless charging for mobile devices, 4G LTE wifi connectivity and USB charging ports (4 including the USB-C type outlets).

How can we forget the safety features this new Ford Explorer comes with. Like always, Ford has bestowed it with plenty. The list includes blind spot monitoring system with cross traffic alert, pre-collision assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, dynamic braking support, auto high beam assist, lane keep warning system, and an active park assist 2.0.

Under the flesh, the 2020 Ford Explorer gets two engine options, first is the 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder turbocharged unit that pumps out a max power of 304 PS and a peak torque of 420 Nm. Second, option is the more powerful and meaner 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 twin-turbo engine that’s capable of churning out a power of 370 PS and torque of 515 Nm.

Comparing the figures with the older version, the new 2.3-litre Ford Explorer produces 30 PS more power and 12 Nm more torque while the bigger power unit generates 40 Nm more torque but the same amount of horsepower as before.

The new Ford Explorer is a rear-wheel-drive model with the engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission system and a Terrain Management System with six driving modes, including Normal, Trail, Sport, Slippery, Eco and Tow/Haul.

On the other hand, the higher-grade variants get an advantage of 4WD wherein the Terrain Management System gets an additional driving mode, Snow/Sand.