Have any of you had the chance to drive a new explorer with the 4.6? My mother just got one and it flat out hauls a**! My father and I were driving down a 4-laner, he was in the new explorer and I was in my F-150 (see sig). We started off at about a 20 mph roll and we both nailed it. We were neck and neck and after about 1/8 mile the explorer walked right away. The combination of the 4.6 and 5-speed auto is totally awesome! The transmission seems to hold the engine right in it's sweet spot on every shift, whereas my 4 speed auto feels like a dog. I would love to see a tranny like that in my F-150 with the 5.4! Does anybody know of anybody thats slapped a supercharger on one of these new explorers? That's gotta be wicked!

 

Check the Motor Trend SUV compairo. The Mountiner 4.6L 5spd. had the same time as the GMC Envoy, but the Merc. was said to be sluggish.
I drove a Explorer w/ a 5spd. and a 4.6L, they do fly. The tranny makes all the diff. Even in the New Rangers and Explorer Sports are quick.

I dont think a supercharger is designed yet for the Explorers. YET!

 

The 5-sp trans has a more aggressive calibration (in my opinion). It doesn't let the torque convertor slip all the time, it just downshifts and shoots the RPM's up to get you going.

You know what really hauls? the AWD Mountaineer in the snow