ExplorerX

What happens when you put a Ford Freestyle and a Flex front clip on the same chassis? You get a 2011 Ford Explorer test mule. Some very spotful Jalopnik staff members happened to be "motorcycling around Detroit with no particular purpose" and stumbled across the rare gem out in the wild. While this is not - I repeat NOT - the way the 2011 Ford Explorer will look, it is a clear indication that the Ford Taurus X platform will definitely be utilized. Jalopnik has a plethora of images from all over the vehicle and for anyone anxious to see some (possible?) indication of the future Ford Explorer, take a look.

What was once a staple of the American household in the 90's has now transformed into a pseudo-luxury SUV that is not only lower to the ground but entirely designed for the highway. Almost twenty years ago when the Ford Explorer debuted, gas was cheap and the engines were not designed with fuel efficiency in mind. The first generation Explorers (1991-1994) remain to this day a popular choice amongst offroad enthusiasts due to the aftermarket and ease of modification for offroad use. The second generation Explorers (1995-2001) marked the entrance of more power with a 5.0 V8 shared with the Mustang, and a noticeable step up in quality and features. By the late 1990's and early 2000's, due to the Ford vs. Firestone fiasco, Ford was under tremendous pressure to improve the safety of the Explorer and get it to market faster than yesterday.

The Mercury Mountaineer has forever been the slightly upscale cousin to the Ford Explorer. What was once a little bit more than just a different grille and headlamps in the late 1990's has evolved today into an entire new front end design, and numerous other interior enhancements. Yet despite the Mountaineer's distinct looks and a genuine attempt to attract a slightly different market niche than the Explorer, the Mountaineer remains a miserable flop in sales. Out of 250,000 Explorers and Mountaineers combined sold in 2005, only 15,000 were Mountaineers. With Ford Motor Corporation full swing in a major restructuring mode, it is a legitimate concern to wonder how many days left the Mountaineer has.

There are people who love their vehicles. And there are people who really love their vehicles and want to show them off with “customized” flair. For them, the usual stock production model just doesn't cut it. These are Sport Trac Adrenalin drivers.