2011 Ford Explorer to be built in Chicago, will get EcoBoost-ed

Posted: Mar 30, 2009

Ford’s assembly plant in Chicago will be responsible for building the next-generation version of the Explorer SUV, reports the Chicago Tribunal. Union leaders said that Ford executives agreed to produce the new Explorer at its Chicago facility as a part of a recent deal with the UAW to cut pay and benefits.

When asked, Ford said that the Torrence Avenue plant will “receive a new product” but FoMoCo declined to identify it.

The next-generation Ford Explorer will abandon its body-on-frame construction and will become a uni-body SUV that will ride on the D3 platform used on the new 2010 Ford Taurus.

Powertrain options are said include a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder unit making 275-hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Of course the 340-hp 3.5L twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost will also be offered. Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, fuel-economy is expected to be improved by 25 to 30 percent.

Rumors suggest that the next-generation Ford Explorer should arrive in the fall 2010.

- By: Kap Shah

Source: Chicago Tribunal

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Tags: 2011, 2011 Ford Explorer, Ford Explorer, SUVs

organicgroovecontinuum

How About Making A Explorer Hybrid Ford ?

Glad Your Working In Chicago !!!

Pat

exactly why Ford is rocking Detroit and GM and Chrysler are dying

Neil

Ans a sa Resident of the great city of Chicago THIS IS REALLY GOOD NEWS!!

zermatt

Neil,

City or suburbs?

I am NW suburban.

Neil

Arlington Heights

zermatt

Schaumburg - work in the Loop

Neil

I work in Addison.

I sell sheet metal equipment so a heathly car industry would sure help my pay check!!!!

zermatt

I am in financial services and about half of our business comes from auto dealers and auto manufacturers - globally.

We are fortunate that we earn our income over time and we are living off of sales that took place over the past few years. We are just about to introduce a new product that should help dealers and a couple of manufacturers with sales and even out our drop in normal sales. (fingers crossed)

Ivan Gutierrez

The current generation Explorer was kind of a dissappointment especially since they hyped it up, but I think this one will be real special.