For V2.0 of itsExplorer Sport Trac sport-utility-truck, Ford is promising more of everythingthat people liked about the first one and stuff they ask for as well.
A sketch of aconcept to debut at the Detroit
The next SportTrac has a wider, longer and lower stance and more power, says Chris Feuell,Ford Motor Company SUV group marketing manager, and it will also "offer evenmore versatility and flexibility" than the current model.
The currentmodel has been fairly popular with buyers inCanada
On the safetyand handling front, Ford has also given the next Sport Trac the company's RollStability Control system, which Feuell calls "the only roll-motion androll-rate sensing technology available on the market today."
Asport-utility-truck might look like a regular old four-door pickup, but buyersfelt that an SUV with a bed in the back was something different, and apparentlythere is little overlap between the two sets of buyers.
Now there areseveral offerings in this category, Feuell notes, adding that "it's time forthe original to raise the bar again for everyone else to try to follow. Thisconcept magnifies all of the aspects of Sport Trac that customers already loveand introduces some street-savvy cues."
Versatility hasalways been central to Explorer Sport Trac's success, says Feuell, and the newmodel will add to that with an interior and cargo bed that are larger. Indeedthe latter is about 30 percent bigger than today's model.
The ExplorerSport Trac concept is nearly 127-mm longer, 50-mm wider, and sits 50 mm lowerthan today's current Sport Trac model.
"Two sidescoops located just in front of the A-pillar and two hood scoops give thisconcept a performance look" Feuell says, and "in the rear, sleek wraparoundtaillamps make a distinctive statement."
Explorer SportTrac concept takes the vehicle to a new level, Feuell claims, pointing to itbeing ''lower than ever for a mean, street look'' and using 21-inch, 10-spokealuminum wheels with a gunmetal finish and custom Goodyear tires.
It also ridesbetter, thanks to a new independent rear suspension, which Feuell says "offerssignificantly better handling over both smooth and rough surfaces. It absorbsbumps in the road and reduces impact harshness, resulting in improved ridequality."
Feuell says theExplorer Sport Trac concept's "smooth appearance is achieved by simple lines,excellent proportions and clean body panels. The exterior color is off-whiteMoonlight with a theme of polished aluminum accents found on the upper andlower grille, fog lamps and exhaust tips. The door handles have been shavedoff, adding to the sleek look of this street rod machine. To get in, you simplypress unlock on the key fob and the doors automatically open."
This is allmeant to give the next Sport Trac "street cred," says J Mays, group vicepresident of global design for Ford. "This concept is as at home in an urbanenvironment as it is hauling surf boards to the beach. Versatility is -- andwill continue to be -- what Sport Trac is all about."
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The next SportTrac has a wider, longer and lower stance and more power, says Chris Feuell,Ford Motor Company SUV group marketing manager, and it will also "offer evenmore versatility and flexibility" than the current model.
The currentmodel has been fairly popular with buyers in
On the safetyand handling front, Ford has also given the next Sport Trac the company's RollStability Control system, which Feuell calls "the only roll-motion androll-rate sensing technology available on the market today."
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Now there areseveral offerings in this category, Feuell notes, adding that "it's time forthe original to raise the bar again for everyone else to try to follow. Thisconcept magnifies all of the aspects of Sport Trac that customers already loveand introduces some street-savvy cues."
Versatility hasalways been central to Explorer Sport Trac's success, says Feuell, and the newmodel will add to that with an interior and cargo bed that are larger. Indeedthe latter is about 30 percent bigger than today's model.
The ExplorerSport Trac concept is nearly 127-mm longer, 50-mm wider, and sits 50 mm lowerthan today's current Sport Trac model.
"Two sidescoops located just in front of the A-pillar and two hood scoops give thisconcept a performance look" Feuell says, and "in the rear, sleek wraparoundtaillamps make a distinctive statement."
Explorer SportTrac concept takes the vehicle to a new level, Feuell claims, pointing to itbeing ''lower than ever for a mean, street look'' and using 21-inch, 10-spokealuminum wheels with a gunmetal finish and custom Goodyear tires.
It also ridesbetter, thanks to a new independent rear suspension, which Feuell says "offerssignificantly better handling over both smooth and rough surfaces. It absorbsbumps in the road and reduces impact harshness, resulting in improved ridequality."
Feuell says theExplorer Sport Trac concept's "smooth appearance is achieved by simple lines,excellent proportions and clean body panels. The exterior color is off-whiteMoonlight with a theme of polished aluminum accents found on the upper andlower grille, fog lamps and exhaust tips. The door handles have been shavedoff, adding to the sleek look of this street rod machine. To get in, you simplypress unlock on the key fob and the doors automatically open."
This is allmeant to give the next Sport Trac "street cred," says J Mays, group vicepresident of global design for Ford. "This concept is as at home in an urbanenvironment as it is hauling surf boards to the beach. Versatility is -- andwill continue to be -- what Sport Trac is all about."