The new 2016 Ford Explorer, which offers more technologies than previous models to enhance the driving experience, has arrived in Qatar.
New technologies include front and rear cameras with washers, enhanced active park assist with perpendicular park assist, park-out assist and semi-automatic parallel parking, smart-charging USB ports, hands-free liftgate and air curtains.
“Explorer, which has sold well over 7mn units since its introduction in 1990, is the centrepiece of Ford’s global utility vehicle line-up because it delivers an ideal combination of form and function,” said Raj Nair, Ford Group vice president and chief technical officer, Global Product Development.
The front and rear cameras have wide-angle lenses and come equipped with a washer – a class-exclusive, segment-first feature. The enhanced active park assist system uses ultrasonic sensors and electric power-assisted steering to help drivers with parallel parking and perpendicular parking manoeuvres.
The park-out assist helps a driver pull out of parallel parking spots. The system controls the steering wheel, while the driver operates the accelerator and brake pedals, and shifts the vehicle into gear.
The smart-charging USB ports, located in the front and rear of the vehicle are able to charge smart devices up to two times faster than conventional ports. With the hands-free liftgate, a traveller need only kick his or her leg below the centre of the rear bumper to open or close the liftgate.
Standard air curtains create a high-pressure region of air that impacts the outer surface of the wheels and tires. The result is airflow held close to the vehicle body, minimising drag.
A number of features, while not new for Explorer, are also available on the 2016 model. They are adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support, lane-keeping system, Blind Spot Information System, Cross-traffic alert, auto high-beams, and inflatable rear
safety belts.
The standard 3.5-litre V6 engine for base, XLT and Limited models – with 294 PS at 6,500rpm and 346 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm – is paired with a six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. The Explorer Sport churns out 470 Nm of torque at 3,500rpm.
For the exterior, signature lighting surrounds the LED headlamps, giving the vehicle a continuous glow. Other features include a standard dual-panel moonroof, premium silver-painted front and rear skid plate elements, and an all-new 18 and 20-inch wheel line up.
Explorer’s intelligent four-wheel drive with Terrain Management System reassesses conditions about 20 times faster than the blink of an eye – providing precise handling and traction.
Intelligent four-wheel drive continuously monitors wheel speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle to determine vehicle conditions and driver intent. The system then determines the optimal amount of front and rear torque for the given conditions to prevent slip from even occurring, which helps keep the vehicle sure-footed on virtually any terrain. In sand, grass or gravel mode, the antilock braking system changes its pulse rate, which allows material to build up in front of the wheels, acting as a doorstop of sorts to help slow momentum.
To help maintain efficiency, in most steady-state cruising conditions the new Explorer equipped with intelligent four-wheel drive seamlessly  and quickly transfers torque between the front and rear wheels.
A newly refined, intelligent four-wheel-drive gauge display shows power being distributed to front and rear wheels under all conditions – from heavy four-wheel-drive system usage to when the system is not
transmitting power at all.
Explorer Sport customers looking for a more dynamic driving experience will benefit from unique steering gear, front and rear springs, struts and rear dampers.
Exterior styling updates such as positioning the grille and LED headlamps even higher, adding a new closed-off lower roof rack with channels that cascade rainwater off the vehicle and a new rear spoiler, also improve aerodynamics.
The 2016 Explorer features more robust headlamps, with available LED signature lighting, standard LED low-beams and available LED fog lamps.