New Under the Hood: Standard 4.0-liter V-6 and 5-speed automatic transmission; available 4.6-liter V-8 and class-exclusive 6-speed automatic

The 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac showcases Ford Motor Company’s philosophy that engine employing advanced technologies can improve both performance and the environment.

For example, the Sport Trac’s standard 4.0-liter V-6 engine meets federal Tier II, Bin 4 tailpipe emissions, the same as the Ford Escape Hybrid and cleaner than a Honda Accord Hybrid.

The 4.0-liter V-6 is rated at 210 horsepower at 5,100 rpm and 254 pound-feet of torque at 3,700 rpm. The torque curve is designed to be relatively flat across the entire engine range and to provide strong performance at nearly any engine speed.

New engine calibrations and improved emissions controls cut NOx emissions by 74 percent – from 14.2 to 3.6 pounds per 15,000 miles – without sacrificing horsepower, torque, or fuel economy. In fact, fuel economy is expected to match the previous model, even though the 2007 Sport Trac is more than five inches longer – and almost two inches wider – than before.

The V-6, equipped with a standard five-speed automatic, delivers a maximum 5,310 pounds of towing capacity, and 1,450 pounds of payload.

For additional capability, the 2007 Sport Trac owners can now opt for an available V-8. The 4.6-liter, three-valve V-8 delivers 292 horsepower – the most horsepower in its class.

“Customers have been asking for a V-8 since day one,” says Bryan Olson, Sport Trac marketing manager. “These customers want the added capability and towing capacity, as well as the power and performance that only a V-8 can deliver.”

The new V-8 is paired with a class-exclusive six-speed automatic transmission. The 6F transmission’s six gears and a wide 6.04:1 gear-ratio span enable the engine to spend more time in the optimum powerband – either at peak power for acceleration or at peak efficiency for more fuel economy.

The 4.6-liter V-8 and 6R transmission deliver a maximum 6,800 pounds of towing capacity, and 1,430 pounds of payload. In addition, the combination is expected to deliver more than 20 miles per gallon on the highway, matching the economy of the competitor’s less-powerful V-6 engines. The V-8 meets federal Tier II Bin 5 standards, which is compliant with California’s Low Emissions Vehicle II (LEV II) standards.

Either engine can be equipped with the Sport Trac’s advanced Control Trac® four-wheel-drive system. Unlike less-sophisticated systems, Control Trac® features an automatic torque-split, which automatically transfers power to the front wheels as the rear wheels begin to loose traction. This increases safety and security without compromising fuel economy or NVH. In addition, the Control Trac® system features a torque-multiplying gear set in the transfer case for off-road applications that require extra power including deep sand, steep grades, and towing a boat trailer out of water.

New Underneath: All-new chassis features a tube-through-tube frame inspired by F-150, new IRS shared with Explorer

Capability and refinement start with the foundation of any vehicle: the chassis.

The Sport Trac adopts the F-150’s tube-through-tube frame design, where the cross beams pass through the frame rails. The result delivers a dramatic 444 percent increase in stiffness compared with the previous Sport Trac’s traditional frame for improved handling and decreased squeaks and rattles.

The new Sport Trac frame is shared with the 2006 Explorer, with a few significant changes:

• The wheelbase is stretched 16.8 inches
• A unique hanger is installed to accommodate the Sport Trac’s two-piece driveshaft
• A spare tire carrier is integrated into the rear assembly
• The integrated tow bar is modified to accommodate the Sport Trac’s step bumper

To capitalize on the stiffer frame, engineers developed all-new front and rear suspensions for the 2007 Sport Trac. The front suspension features a short- and long-arm design with coil-over shocks. New monotube shocks are tuned for softer damping of harsh impacts – such as potholes and expansion joints – while providing exemplary body control over larger road undulations and while cornering.

For the first time, the Sport Trac features an independent rear suspension with a patent-pending, trailing blade design. The Sport Trac’s rear coil-over springs, monotube shocks, and a stabilizer bar have slightly stiffer rates than those of the 2006 Explorer, to adjust for the longer wheelbase and change in weight distribution. ....

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