2002 Ford Explorer - Urban Explorer
Concept One For The Street
By Jack Keebler
Future TrucksFord acknowledges that most sport/ utility owners spend little of their actual drive time off-road (anthills in the mall parking lot don't count!). But that doesn't mean buyers who use these rigs in urban or suburban environments don't enjoy some cargo room and the "I'm too cool for a station wagon" image that comes with SUV ownership. We have no reason to expect Ford's all-new '02 Explorer won't continue to impress these buyers either, with its smoother-riding independent rear suspension, new all-wheel-drive and stability control systems, more powerful engines, and beefier look. So Ford put together a special concept version of the Explorer that features city-style sport-sedanlike cues inside and out.
The exterior is dressed up with five-spoke 20-in. alloy wheels and performance rubber housed inside flared wheelarches. Ford's design group also lowered the ride height and added what they call "low-emphasis" side cladding. The equally low-profile front fascia received uniquely styled driving lights and functional brake-cooling ducts. Check out the rumbling dual exhaust system with bright-polished exhaust tips and the roof spoiler added on the trailing edge of the liftgate that replaces the traditional roof rack.
Inside, this GT-ified Explorer gets an edgy, techno look via quad bucket seats, full front-to-rear center console, thick-rimmed steering wheel, and unique sports instrumentation. Driving home the urban theme is a black and lime green interior with iridescent piping. Don't expect to see this combination factory-available any time soon, but it is eye-catching for a show toy.
Power for exploring the urban landscape comes from a 240-hp version of Ford's 4.6L SOHC V-8, breathing through a "cold-air" cowl-induction system. Is the Urban Explorer a hint at a future production model? Probably not: The point of the exercise is to help call attention to the new-generation Explorer and give owners an idea of what sort of street-flavored personalization is possible with Ford's best-selling sport/utility.