Author: Jay Stevens


Released in 1990 and is continually being manufactured at
present, the Ford Explorer is a midsize sport utility vehicle
that is crafted by the Ford Motor Company. Since its
introduction, the Ford Explorer has never failed to be the
best-selling midsize SUV in the United States. Also, its claim
to fame is that it is one of the vehicles that is instrumental
in turning the SUV from a special-interest vehicle to become one
of the most popular vehicle types out on the road. The Ford
Motor Company is certainly proud of this vehicle because amongst
many vehicles in its segment, the Ford Explorer was one of the
nominees for the North American Truck of the Year Award for
2006.

This vehicle was released in March 1990 as a 1991 model, and it
replaced the Bronco II. The make of this vehicle was based on
the Ford Ranger compact pick up truck and it held a 4.0 liter
155 horsepower V6 engine that held a 4-speed automatic
transmission. The Ford Explorer was made available in four trim
levels and this included the base XL, the XLT, the Sport which
was a two-door version, and the upscale Eddie Bauer. This
vehicle offered automatic headlights, fog lamps, an automatic
transmission as standard equipment, an auto-dimming rear view
mirror, a center roof console with compass and outside
thermometer, special wheels, and a special grille. Come 2001,
the Ford Motor Company then introduced the Explorer Sport Trac
which was mainly a small pick up bed behind the four normal SUV
doors.

As per the latest changes done to the Ford Explorer, this
vehicle now sported a new, stronger base, a new interior,
redesigned rear suspension, and power-folding third-row seats.
Also standard for this vehicle is a tire-pressure monitoring
system and electronic stability control. It also contains power
running boards that retract when the vehicle is in motion. It
will hold a 210 horsepower 4.0 liter V6 as its base engine. It
has more power, an improved fuel economy, low emissions, new
advanced safety technologies, class-leading interior quietness,
improved ride comfort and a bolder styling. The Ford Motor
Company certainly bothered to take time to facilitate a safe
driving and experience in the 2006 Ford Explorer. It has ten
standard advanced safety technologies in it among which seven of
these are new to the mid-size SUV class. This includes
AdvanceTrac® with class-exclusive Roll Stability Control that
helps out in preventing accidents from occurring. It also has
side-impact roll over protection and new safety technologies
that assist in altering frontal-impact protection.

Phil Martens, group vice president of Ford Motor Company's
Product Creation department was noted to state, "We are
fortunate to have the largest base of SUV customers in the
industry. The input of more than five million owners helped
influence the changes we made to the 2006 Explorer. The result
refines what has made the Explorer such a success, while
improving everything from the towing capacity to the choice of
interior trim."

Locating Ford Explorer parts and Ford parts is made available 24
hours a day at Ford Parts Online's online store.