Ford Motor Company recently unveiled the Ford Explorer Hybrid and Ford Transit Hybrid designs slated for European release in 2019.
Gimmie, Gimmie Shock Treatment
Ford Motor Company recently announced several new vehicles at an event in Amsterdam, giving the automotive world a sneak preview of the upcoming 2020 Explorer plug-in hybrid, in addition to other hotly-anticipated Ford electric vehicles including the 2020 Ford Transit. While there’s no plans for a stateside release of the electric Explorer, it sure has fans of the venerated SUV imagining it on their favorite strip of highway.
Photos Courtesy of Ford
444 Electric Horses
Slated for European roads by mid-2019, the Ford Explorer hybrid is powered by a 3.0L EcoBoost V6, as well as a 13.1-kWh lithium-ion battery and a 99hp electric motor. While that may seem marginal, preliminary output numbers peg the vehicle at 444-horsepower (450 PS Europe) which has led many industry insiders to speculate that Ford has adopted the same powertrain it utilized for its Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring plug-in for —not surprising given the many historical similarities between the Aviator and Ford Explorer platform.
>>Join the conversation about the Ford Explorer Hybrid right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
OK Computer
Preliminary info released by Ford states that the new Explorer PHEV will offer 25 miles of electric-only driving in an urban setting, and as on the recently revealed Escape plug-in hybrid, owners can select between EV Auto, EV Now, EV Later, and EV Charge drive modes to choose how and when they want to utilize the vehicle’s electric power, making for a vehicle that’s both customizable and efficient.
>>Join the conversation about the Ford Explorer Hybrid right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
A Kilo-for-Kilo Winner
Ford’s gas and electronic motors work in impressive tandem in this new Ford Explorer build. The SUV boasts an impressive a 2,500-kilogram (5,511-pound) tow rating, more than enough for boats, campers, and trailering. In addition, Ford states the Explorer PHEV has achieved an admirable 69 combined MPG in European testing, though those figures will fluctuate depending on how often the electric motor is called into action.
>>Join the conversation about the Ford Explorer Hybrid right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Cargo Space Abounds
True to it's stateside gas-powered brethren, the Ford Explorer hybrid features a spacious seven-passenger interior that can be folded down to give drivers use of a mammoth cabin —perfect for families, small businesses, and Led Zeppelin cover bands alike.
>>Join the conversation about the Ford Explorer Hybrid right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Sharp Shocker
The Explorer PHEV will be sold in ST-Line and Platinum grades. The ST-Line will come with a sportier interior and eye-catching exterior styling. Noteworthy components include black 20-inch wheels, a black-finished grille, and high-gloss black exterior appliques, along with red stitching on the seats, floor mats, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
>>Join the conversation about the Ford Explorer Hybrid right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
Sit Tight
The Ford Explorer PHEV Platinum design takes a more genteel approach, with tarnished dark silver for its 20-inch wheels, satin silver grille and exterior appliques, and wood trim throughout the interior. While Ford has no official plans to offer the Explorer PHEV in the United States, don’t be shocked (pun intended) if you hear tell of it arriving at Ford dealerships in the United States in 2020.
>>Join the conversation about the Ford Explorer Hybrid right here in the Ford Trucks Forum!
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