Seven seats, plenty of luxury and 50 km of electric range. The Ford Explorer, one of the most popular maxi-SUVs in America, makes its debut in plug-in hybrid form.
Loads of space, sports-car performance and the efficiency of a new plug-in hybrid system. An equation that the new Ford Explorer Plug-In Hybrid puts at the disposal of large families. Seven comfortable seats immersed in a high-tech environment. A cutting-edge multimedia component "backed" by the Sync 3 system, whose interface is delivered through a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and by the integrated Ford Pass Connect modem. Ford Explorer, the extra-large SUV much loved in the United States, plays the efficiency card and makes its debut in a new version equipped with a plug-in hybrid system comprising a 3-litre 6-cylinder petrol engine, an electric unit and a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which can of course also be recharged via an external power source.
Among the advantages shared by many plug-in hybrid car models is the ability to count on a reserve of electrical energy sufficient to meet everyday needs. In this respect, the 48 kilometres of range in electric mode offered by the Ford Explorer Plug-In Hybrid is a figure in line with the competition, especially given the size and weight (both considerable…) and the performance it is capable of delivering. The petrol engine and electric unit combined develop a remarkable total output of 457 horsepower — figures practically comparable to those of a Ferrari. To this must be added the fuel consumption and emissions figures declared by Ford: average consumption of 3.1 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 71 g/km.
The new Ford Explorer Plug-In Hybrid's credentials as a versatile vehicle are not limited to the on-board space it comes with. A key strength of the American SUV is undoubtedly its all-wheel drive. Not merely a stylistic flourish, but a tangible advantage when driving, including in terms of safety. The traction system developed by Ford is designed to ensure maximum grip on every type of surface. Credit goes both to the mechanical engineering behind it, and above all to the electronics, which provide access to a whole range of driving modes that regulate the 4×4 system in specific ways. The driving modes available on the Ford Explorer Plug-In Hybrid are: Normal, Sport, Trail, Slippery, Tow/Haul, Eco and Deep Snow and Sand. Each of these features a different graphic representation on the central dashboard touchscreen, useful for understanding in detail how the Intelligent All-Wheel Drive technology operates. This is a particularly sophisticated technology that analyses inputs from multiple sensors every 10 milliseconds, including vehicle speed, ambient air temperature, wheel slip and the status of any trailer being towed.
Performance, space and versatility are intrinsic qualities of the Ford Explorer Plug-In Hybrid, and safety stands on an equal footing. This is a factor dictated and ensured not only by a solid and robust structure, but also by a whole range of driver assistance systems that help make driving as stress-free as possible. The list of devices is particularly extensive, reflecting Ford's most recent experience. Systems such as adaptive cruise control, combined with Lane-Centring and a road sign recognition system, allow the Explorer to travel on motorways while always keeping to the centre of its lane and respecting speed limits. And for those daunted by its generous dimensions, the Active Park Assist system is capable of carrying out parking manoeuvres in a fully automated mode. "It's not a matter of filling the vehicle with technology just for the sake of it," explained Torsten Wey, head of Driver Assistance and Safety Technology at Ford Europe. "The aim is to improve the driving experience, making it less stressful, helping drivers feel more confident and at ease when they're behind the wheel." The Ford Explorer's safety features have been rewarded with 5 Euro NCAP stars.