Spy Shots: Unibody 2011 Ford Explorer cometh
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/detroit-auto-show/" rel="tag">Detroit Auto Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/spyphotos/" rel="tag">Spy Photos</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/suvs/" rel="tag">SUV</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/crossovers-cuvs/" rel="tag">Crossover</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/ford/" rel="tag">Ford</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/#2"><img hspace="4" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/01-2011-ford-explorer-spy-kgp-620op.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><sma ll>2011 Ford Explorer - Click above for high-res gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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A <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/2011FordExplorer/">2011 Ford Explorer</a> prototype has begun making runs around Michigan, and although the camo is thick, we're getting out first glimpse of what Ford has in store for its unibody 'ute.<br />
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Built on the same platform that underpins the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/FordTaurus/">Ford Taurus</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/LincolnMKS/">Lincoln MKS</a> and - more importantly - <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/flex">Flex</a>, the all-new seven-seater Explorer will trade a bit of off-road prowess and towing capacity for a smoother ride and increased fuel efficiency. Under the hood, expect a choice of Ford's newest EcoBoost engines - the 3.5-liter V6 and a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/21/ford-announces-2-0-liter-ecoboost-and-dual-clutch-gearbox-for-20/">new 2.0-liter inline-four</a> - with the latter possibly mated to an all-new dual-clutch gearbox.<br />
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Although the camo obscures most of the design details, the A-pillars and greenhouse are reminiscent of the Flex, although the hatch appears canted slightly inward, with a set of <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/#10">LED taillamps</a> mounted in back. The overall shape is sure to take cues from the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/06/detroit-2008-ford-explorer-america-concept-says-bye-bye-to-body/">Explorer America concept</a> show at the 2008 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/DetroitAutoshow/">Detroit Auto Show</a>, and we plan on getting our first look at the production model early next year before <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/31/2011-ford-explorer-reportedly-to-be-built-in-chicago-on-taurus-x/">production begins at Ford's Louisville, Kentucky</a> plant in late 2010.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/low/">Spy Shots: 2011 Ford Explorer</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/01-2011-ford-explorer-spy-kgp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/02-2011-ford-explorer-spy-kgp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/03-2011-ford-explorer-spy-kgp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/04-2011-ford-explorer-spy-kgp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-2011-ford-explorer/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/10/05-2011-ford-explorer-spy-kgp_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/spy-shots-unibody-2011-ford-explorer-cometh/">Spy Shots: Unibody 2011 Ford Explorer cometh</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/spy-shots-unibody-2011-ford-explorer-cometh/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19194419/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/13/spy-shots-unibody-2011-ford-explorer-cometh/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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