Another TFLcar viewer spied the 2020 Ford Explorer testing in the Nevada desert.
Right on the heels of seeing some of the upcoming Explorer ST, TFLcar viewer Savva spotted the 2020 Ford Explorer testing in the Nevada desert. This wasn’t just one car testing either. Ford lined up an entire convoy of Explorers – about a dozen, by our estimates. These photos are TFL’s best look yet at the brand new Explorer, which we expect to break cover in the coming months.
Here’s what we know so far. The 2020 Ford Explorer will be a totally new design from the model we see now. It’s going to ride on a rear-wheel drive platform, shared with the new Lincoln Aviator. By what we can see here, it’s also substantially larger than the current Explorer, so it will have more room inside and out.
What engines will the 2020 Ford Explorer have?
In dissecting the new Explorer’s powertrains, I want you to keep one work in mind: modular. As automakers bring out new models, they often use engines and transmissions that are already somewhere else in the lineup. On that basis, it’s likely the old 3.5-liter Duratec V6 will go away, while the 2.3-liter EcoBoost will carry over as the new standard engine. The 2.3-liter should be available in the base model as well as the XLT and Limited trims.
Then, there’s the old Explorer Sport. It had a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 found across much of Ford’s lineup. However, the 2020 Ford Explorer ST will replace the Sport in the lineup. Based on what we’ve seen with the new Lincoln Aviator, it’s likely the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 will make its way into the Explorer. That means 400 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque from a smaller engine than what is in the current Explorer Sport. The new engine will come mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, also becoming the standard across Ford’s lineup. In addition to the ST, we may see the 3.0-liter EcoBoost at the top of the range in the Explorer Platinum as well.
But what about a hybrid? Yes, the 2020 Lincoln Aviator includes a hybrid model, and that’s expected to carry over to the Explorer as well. Ford Explorer Forums posted a document a few months back that showed the specs for the 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility. Among the powertrains listed there were a naturally-aspirated 3.3-liter V6, likely carried over from the F-150, with or without a hybrid option. The hybrid model should produce over 300 horsepower – more than the current Police Interceptor Utility’s 3.7-liter V6.
Stay tuned to TFLcar.com for more updates. If you spot a vehicle testing out in the wild, send in your photos to info@tflcar.com!