Some new stuff about the new Ford Explorer. I wonder if they'll incorporate any of this into the 2012 F-150? 25% better fuel economy just because of this system is quite significant. Add in the EcoBoost enigne on top of that... nice. Real nice.

•Terrain management helps Explorer deliver increased fuel economy by eliminating heavy transfer case and driveline components, while making 4WD capabilities more accessible. Less driveline mass helps the new Explorer with V-6 power deliver an estimated 25 percent better fuel economy than the 2010 model.

Here is the full article:
http://www.ford.com/about-ford/news-...-terrain-32417

 

So... What did they actually change? Did they just eliminate the locking two speed t-case in favor of single speed all wheel drive transfer case, with more traction control and engine programming suited to different situations.

I sure hope none of that makes it to our trucks. After all the explorer is a four-wheel independent suspension, unibody, (car).

 

From link:
"Anecdotal customer feedback indicated the potential for driver confusion with previous systems as to the best use of 4x4 high- and low-range engagement."

Really?? who did they interview? *sigh* this is what we should come to expect i suppose....

Personally I hope they leave it out of the F150. I like being able to choose how the vehicle operates. It's bad enough that my truck has AdvanceTrac (which admittedly is probably useful on the highway...but a PAIN offroad)...now they want to dumb down 4WD?

The answer is personal responsibility and knowledge, not computers that think for you.

 

I'm confused by that... the new "terrain shifting mechanism thingy" is understandable for people who don't regularly go off road, but they mention doing away with the transfer case and "other" driveling components... What does this mean? I am intrested to see how it operates in 4wd now. How is torque/power transfered between front and rear axles?

 

Magic?

 

I'm willing to bet it only offers a single speed (HI) 4WD for people who like 4WD security in snow and ice, but never use 4WD LOW. Not for me, but some. I have to say, also, for the average Joe, the new six-speeds are geared so low in first that just locking the trans in first (manually shifting it in) could provide some (I said SOME) benefit of a low gear that isn't quite the rock-crawler we truck guys like, but helps in deeper snow, sand, etc... Hey, good for Ford for doing some more homework and trying to make a better product. Just leave me my HI/LO transfer case. In fact, ditch the twisty **** on the dash, give me manual hubs, and a manual shifter on the floor. Thank you.

 

I wish I had that now. Our 09 Exploder gets 16mpg... I assume they mean they took weight off the drive shafts etc. Maybe they used to have the same drive lines in both v6 and v8 but now there is a weeny one for v6.

 

I like how the 4x4 has different settings for different terrains. They have a mud mode, a sand mode, a snow mode, etc. People were knocking the new Explorer for being more car-like, but it seems to work well off-road in this video. I would also love to have the hill descent control in the new F-150...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWcIPZ-9ioE

 

That's lifted from the Land Rover.

 

One thing I loved about my 2009 was how the engine seems to downshift rather quickly after taking your foot off the gas. Makes you feel as though you are immediately shutting off the gas (saving MPG) and also saving brake pad wear by the truck downshifting as it slows rather than having to apply the brakes.

 

The F150 does shut off fuel as soon as you take your foot off the gas.

 

Looks like a carbon copy of Land Rovers Terrain Response system, but at least they have low range gearing, locking center diff, and locking rear diff.

 

New Exploder will gain MPG due rpimarily due to weight loss. They acheived that by going to unibody chassis, dropping t-case etc.

Secondly new engines will also help.


I would think weight loss where possible will be #1 objective of next ALL NEW F150. We are clearly heaviest now and that hurts MPG more than anything....

 

Agreed.