For people who really want some utility in their next sport utility vehicle, Ford will be offering the Sport Trac rendition of its recently revised Explorer early in 2006 as a 2007 model.
Everything of interest about the traditional Explorer applies to this five-seat model with an open pickup bed in the back, and Ford has done some clever things to the part that's unique to the Sport Trac.
Specifically, that means there's a composite cargo box with two-tier storage ability, an optional hard-tonneau cover, and three integrated tool and gear bins with drain plugs.
From the B-pillar (i.e. the post between the side doors) forward, the Sport Trac design is shared with the 2006 Explorer, including the standard chrome-finished grille, powerdome aluminum hood, and more overt wheel arches. The rear doors are unique, and the arch of the C-pillar (the post at the rear of the cab) serves as a visual separation between the people space and cargo space.
The 1.3-metre, corrosion-proof cargo box has a black inner liner that is supposed to resist scratches and dents. The box is notched, allowing customers to place two 2x4 boards across the span to accommodate tiered storage of materials, including the legendary 4x8 sheets of plywood.
Recessed into the truck bed's floor are three integrated cargo bins, with two six-pack sized bins in the right and left rear of the box and one large that runs the length of the box headboard. The bins are equipped with weather-resistant lids, and removable drain plugs for storing wet gear, or ice.
An optional tubular aluminum cargo cage acts as a cargo divider, or can be swung out as a bed extender for added storage capacity when the tailgate lowered.
The enlarged Sport Trac (it's 127 mm longer and almost 50 mm wider) has sport-designed seat styles and standard rubber floor covering designed for tough utility, says Ford Division boss Steve Lyons, "allowing owners to wash out mud and grime with relative ease."
While the Berber carpeted floor mats and other features are supposed to take tough treatment from the owners, in general the Sport Trac is designed to cosset its occupants.
To that end, says Lyons, the interior benefits from many of the same noise, vibration and harshness improvements of the 2006 Explorer, making for an exceptionally quite and comfortable cabin.
Other features of note include a windshield with micro-waves to melt any ice, optional Sirius radio, more ergonomic interior door handles, optional two-one leather seats, heated front seats with 10-way power adjustability, and a CD player with MP3 compatibility, Sport Trac's standard engine is the 4.0-liter V-6 rated at 210 hp at 5,100 rpm and 254 lb-ft of torque at 3,700 rpm, though the torque curve is relatively flat across the entire rev range.
There's also an optional V-8 now, the 24-valve, 4.6-liter that delivers 292 hp and is attached to a six-speed automatic.
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| 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
Specifically, that means there's a composite cargo box with two-tier storage ability, an optional hard-tonneau cover, and three integrated tool and gear bins with drain plugs.
From the B-pillar (i.e. the post between the side doors) forward, the Sport Trac design is shared with the 2006 Explorer, including the standard chrome-finished grille, powerdome aluminum hood, and more overt wheel arches. The rear doors are unique, and the arch of the C-pillar (the post at the rear of the cab) serves as a visual separation between the people space and cargo space.
The 1.3-metre, corrosion-proof cargo box has a black inner liner that is supposed to resist scratches and dents. The box is notched, allowing customers to place two 2x4 boards across the span to accommodate tiered storage of materials, including the legendary 4x8 sheets of plywood.
 |
| 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
An optional tubular aluminum cargo cage acts as a cargo divider, or can be swung out as a bed extender for added storage capacity when the tailgate lowered.
The enlarged Sport Trac (it's 127 mm longer and almost 50 mm wider) has sport-designed seat styles and standard rubber floor covering designed for tough utility, says Ford Division boss Steve Lyons, "allowing owners to wash out mud and grime with relative ease."
While the Berber carpeted floor mats and other features are supposed to take tough treatment from the owners, in general the Sport Trac is designed to cosset its occupants.
To that end, says Lyons, the interior benefits from many of the same noise, vibration and harshness improvements of the 2006 Explorer, making for an exceptionally quite and comfortable cabin.
 |
| 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac (Photo: Ford Motor Company) |
There's also an optional V-8 now, the 24-valve, 4.6-liter that delivers 292 hp and is attached to a six-speed automatic.