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Ford exploring new direction

American car firms are uneasy about tampering with the US nation's favourite form of transport, but Ford has come up with a full-size SUV that is also greener and cleaner. The new Explorer America concept will be shown for the first time at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week and points to the future of Ford's SUV model line-up.

The Explorer America ditches the utility vehicle base used on previous Explorers and instead uses a construction much more like that of modern family saloons. This helps save 70kg compared to the current production Explorer.

The styling of the Explorer America doesn't stray too far from the traditional upright SUV, but it has asymmetrical styling where the rear door on the right-hand side hinges from the back in the same way as a Mazda RX-8's, while the left-hand side rear door hinges in the normal fashion at its front edge. Inside, there are three rows of two seats for the regular Explorer family friendliness.

Under the bonnet, Ford has abandoned the big V8 engines usually associated with full-size SUVs and instead opted for a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 340bhp. Ford says the V6 provides better economy, emissions and performance than the existing 4.6-litre V8 in the Explorer.

There is also a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a turbocharger that makes 271bhp. Ford says this engine is 30% more efficient than the present petrol V6 engine in the Explorer. Ford calls the new range of engines EcoBoost and says they are a better step forward for American buyers who are not prepared yet for diesel or hybrid power.

Ford has not said when a production version of the Explorer America will hit the roads of the USA, but has hinted that it will be sooner rather than later and could be around 2010.

Alisdair Suttie

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