Ford’s new thriller rugged-trim Explorer has been noticed but once more, this time with none pretense of disguise in any way. We beforehand speculated that this would possibly borrow Ford’s “FX4” nomenclature used on the Ranger and F-Sequence pickups, however now that we’re seeing the outside badges and seat embroidery, it seems “Timberline” is certainly the winner. That was simply one in all many names Ford sought to guard in a flurry of trademark filings from 2018 and 2019, amongst which now-known nameplates corresponding to “Maverick,” “Badlands” and “Outer Banks” have been additionally established, and it seems that is one observe for introduction in time for the 2022 mannequin 12 months.
Primarily based on what we see right here, we anticipate this to be predominantly a tire-and-wheel package deal. Whereas Ford might reserve the remedy for 4×4 variants of the Explorer, we’re not speaking a couple of Raptor-style package deal right here. Realistically, it should in all probability fall someplace nearer to Tremor on the Ford off-road spectrum: a bit beefy, however not a full Porterhouse.
Other than the iconography we talked about above, the Timberline can also be differentiated by an orange stripe throughout the decrease entrance bumper together with color-matched restoration hooks. The tires are Bridgestone Dueler Revo 3s in 265/65R18 — slightly below 32 inches — and so they’re wrapped round distinctive wheels marked by a Timberline brand.
As for that doohickey that resembles a “Jeopardy!” buzzer or lavalier mic draped over the passenger seat? Properly, that is truly a significant piece of testing gear utilized by the check driver to log points with the prototype as they occur. Street Check Editor Zac Palmer explains:
“Each time there may be an ‘occasion’ with the automotive (one thing goes improper, actually something), you press it and it tells the car information recorder in there to take a snapshot of the previous couple of minutes,” he mentioned. “There’s a nifty little pink field hiding beneath the passenger seat that the twine you see there may be connected to.”
We mentioned earlier than that we do not anticipate to have to attend lengthy to search out extra about this new Explorer. The 2021 Chicago Auto Present would have been the probably venue for its unveiling, however given the present state of such gatherings, we’re inclined to consider Ford will discover a option to present the Timberline by itself turf as an alternative.
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