, and now our spy shooters have caught it testing. The good news is that the car still looks stunning. The bad news is that’s because the original design has aged so well.
What we’re seeing in these photos doesn’t indicate much has changed outside of minor tweaks to the front fascia that seem mostly designed to accommodate new headlights with a different LED pattern. The rear fascia and taillights are similarly reconfigured, with round twin tailpipes like the , but without the side ducting.
When they sent us the images, KPG Photography also speculated that this forthcoming R8 update will ditch the R-tronic sequential automatic transmission for a dual-clutch gearbox. That’s in line with , which indicate that the DSG will be the only transmission available.
We’ve got shots of both the coupe R8 and the R8 Spyder, including some taken at night where it’s easier to see the new LED designs. Check out all the high-res images in our .
The launch of the new may be the bigger news for here at the , and the may still be getting the lion’s share of the attention, but the and its high-riding counterpart, the , have also debuted here in Manhattan with a series of updates.
Most noticeable (that term being a relative one) is the pair’s revised front fascia, but behind the new look is a fresh boxer four that replaces the old one in the 2.5i model, now producing three more horsepower and four more pound-feet of torque (173 hp/174 lb-ft.) while returning improved fuel economy. An updated CVT is the principal transmission for the 2.5-liter four, with a six-speed manual available, both driving all four wheels in typical Fuji Heavy Industries style. The available 3.6-liter flat six carries over with a five-speed automatic. Subaru says it has also revisited the suspensions on both models for improved ride comfort and performance.
There’s also a suite of new electronics packed into the , including everything from new active safety technology features like lane departure warning and collision mitigation to improved audio system connectivity.
Sadly, Subaru has axed the enthusiast-minded model for 2013.
This is the 2013 Concept, along with its “more capable-looking styling” that’s been revealed today at the .
is re-aiming the Crosstour at “active consumers,” so those new capable looks come down to foglights shrouded in embossed polygons, and the soft-roader rugged-esque front bumper, and dark trim skirting the bodywork. There’s also a new grille that helps clean up the front end. The rear gets stressed horizontals to emphasize the concept’s width, but this is the only photo Honda has released, so we’re not sure yet what other changes (if any) are in store for the 2012 model. The new face looks modestly better than the original, but based one what we see here, we’re unclear how this updated look will improve the Crosstour’s frigid sales.
Inside, Honda says the new production Crosstour will be available with an eight-inch display and LaneWatch blind-spot detection along with updated trim and keyless ignition. As before, motivation will come courtesy of a 192-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6 that shifts through a six-speed paddleshift transmission (Honda promises that the latter has been reengineered for more power). Don’t be fooled by the 19-inch wheels, though – the production version set to go on sale this Fall will get 18-inchers.
We’ll update this article with a gallery of live images shortly after the Crosstour Concept’s official debut at the New York Auto Show, so stay tuned for more views of its “capable-looking” refreshening.
This is the 2013 Concept, along with its “more capable-looking styling” that’s been revealed today at the .
is re-aiming the Crosstour at “active consumers,” so those new capable looks come down to foglights shrouded in embossed polygons, and the soft-roader rugged-esque front bumper, and dark trim skirting the bodywork. There’s also a new grille that helps clean up the front end. The rear gets stressed horizontals to emphasize the concept’s width, but this is the only photo Honda has released, so we’re not sure yet what other changes (if any) are in store for the 2012 model. The new face looks modestly better than the original, but based one what we see here, we’re unclear how this updated look will improve the Crosstour’s frigid sales.
Inside, Honda says the new production Crosstour will be available with an eight-inch display and LaneWatch blind-spot detection along with updated trim and keyless ignition. As before, motivation will come courtesy of a 192-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 3.5-liter V6 that shifts through a six-speed paddleshift transmission (Honda promises that the latter has been reengineered for more power). Don’t be fooled by the 19-inch wheels, though – the production version set to go on sale this Fall will get 18-inchers.
We’ll update this article with a gallery of live images shortly after the Crosstour Concept’s official debut at the New York Auto Show, so stay tuned for more views of its “capable-looking” refreshening.
has used the to show off its new , which was announced at The Spring Festival, a small-scale event held in Southern California for Mopar LX fans and owners. Besides being seen by those select few, this is the coupe’s first public showing.
Powered by the same 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with 305 horsepower and 268 pound-feet torque as the base model, this machine gets a performance boost via an upgraded suspension package called the Super Sport Group. Updates include firmer front and rear shocks, larger front and rear sway bars, wider P245/45R20 Firestone Firehawk tires and steering that’s 25-percent quicker.
As you can see, there are also a bunch of exterior tweaks, including the big red stripe down the center, red-striped 20-inch wheels with a Pitch Black treatment and a body-color rear spoiler. Inside, the exclusive availability of heated front performance seats in Radar Red leather is the biggest news, but Dark Slate Grey is also available. The optional Exterior hues are Bright Silver Metallic, Tungsten Metallic, Bright White and Pitch Black.
Want one? Dodge says the Rallye Redline will be available this month starting at $28,745 (plus $925 for destination). See the machine yourself in our high-res image gallery of live photos above.
Like the existing but not such a fan of its incredibly boxy styling? Or like the styling just fine but just wish it had a diesel? Well we’ve got good news for you, friends, because has just taken the wraps off a revised model that aims to remedy both.
Not only does the 2013 GLK-Class get the familiar new family face, but what’s behind it has been replaced as well. That means a direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 for the GLK350 that’s more powerful and more efficient than the powerplant it replaces, and also a 2.1-liter turbodiesel that joins the family wearing GLK250 BlueTEC badging.
The interior has been updated as well, all of which Mercedes surely hopes will help it fend off advances from the , the , and the rumored baby from . Take a closer look at the updated GLK in our high-res gallery of live images from the floor above and the stock shots in the gallery below for a closer look.
The wait is finally over. … excuse us, has officially pulled the wraps off the 2013 , and it’s everything we were hoping it would be. Let’s discuss numbers: 640 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque from a front/mid-mounted 8.4-liter V10 and the best power-to-weight ratio of any Viper ever built.
Two models will be available, the standard high-performance SRT and GTS.
In fact, the 2013 SRT Viper’s 4.9 pounds per horsepower puts it just behind the and and ahead of such performance stalwarts as the and . What’s more, this engine has no turbocharger or supercharger, and those 600 lb-ft make this V10 the most torque-rich naturally aspirated production engine in the world.
Two models will be available, the standard high-performance SRT and GTS. The SRT is meant to “offer a perfect blend of extreme performance and a deliberate preservation of what has become the iconic DNA of the Viper,” says Ralph Gilles, President and CEO of the Street and Racing Technology Brand and Motorsports. Buyers looking for a little more technology can opt for the GTS, which adds such niceties as a two-mode active suspension and interior creature comforts not normally associated with the Viper.
The 2013 Viper isn’t just about power, either. Chassis updates are plentiful and include a beautiful X-brace up front that helps the new platform boast a 50-percent increase in rigidity over the last Viper. To help the driver maintain control, the 2013 Viper is fitted with stability and traction control (both fully defeatable, says Gilles) along with Pirelli P Zero Z-rated tires that were designed specifically for the Viper in massive 355 sizes in back and 295 up front. Three different wheels will be available, with five or six spokes in polished, matte black or gloss black finishes, along with a special lightweight set as part of the SRT Track Package.
Inside, the Viper is more luxurious than ever before, with seats from Sabelt (the same supplier used by ) and a seven-inch LCD screen directly in front of the driver that’s configurable with a whole slew of custom operations. Chrysler’s stellar 8.4-inch Uconnect Media Center is also included, as is a Harmon Kardon sound system. Oh, and for the first time ever, cruise control is standard.
For the first time ever, cruise control is standard.
Though first and foremost a street car, SRT fully intends to establish the 2013 Viper’s racing credentials early and often. Viper will return to the American Le Mans Series in 2012, fielding a two-car team driven by Dominik Farnbacher, Marc Goossens, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Kuno Wittmer. And gaming fans aren’t left out, either – SRT has worked with the Forza Motorsport 4 crew to make sure the 2013 SRT Viper is available soon as DLC.
There’s lots more information in the press release and videos , but we suggest you check out our high-res image galleries first, as this Viper is one beautiful machine.
To hear tell the story, the is super popular with the public. True, it was one of the ten best-selling cars the U.S. last year, but take away sales to rental, government and commercial fleets, and we’d bet our last dollar that the Impala is no more popular than its competitors, probably less so considering its age. That’s why Chevrolet is hoping its all-new Impala for 2013 will do what the last model couldn’t: attract folks who don’t buy their large sedans in bulk.
The 2013 Chevrolet Impala clearly looks considerably better and more modern than the car it replaces, which hadn’t received a thorough redesign since 2005. The face up front is the Bowtie brand’s new corporate visage, which can also be seen on the refreshed . It’s an attractive mug with clean lines, little-to-no clutter and a full suite of high-tech HID and LED lighting elements. At least in pictures, the rest of the new Impala looks brawny and muscular compared to the last model’s antiseptic lines. Its wheels, meanwhile, will range in size from a large 18 inches in diameter to a super-sized 20 inches.
We also universally approve of the Impala’s new interior design, which sports a dual-cockpit concept, as well as a 4.2-inch information screen between the gauges and an eight-inch screen atop the center stack. However, we’re having a hard time with that steering wheel, which doesn’t live up to the rest of the cabin’s aesthetic standards.
Power for the new Impala will come from a range of three engines, all featuring direct injection: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with eAssist producing 182 horsepower/172 pound-feet and achieving an estimated 35 mpg highway, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 195 hp/187 lb-ft and a 3.6-liter V6 producing 303 hp/264 lb-ft. All will mate to a six-speed automatic and drive the front wheels only.
The Impala has also received a slew of new available active and passive safety systems, including Full-Speed-Range Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Mitigation Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
We’ve included the official press release from Chevrolet below and will update the gallery will more official images as soon as they’re available. And later today we’ll show you what the Impala looks like in person from the floor of the .
Toyota has been teasing us with of the redesigned 2013 over the last month, and now we get to see its modest makeover just before the vehicle’s debut.
The new, less fussy grille is the first thing you’ll notice. Fewer horizontal bars above the bumper and a chrome accent goes some way toward below classing up the crossutilitywagon thing. The headlamps are new, and the fog lights have also been blacked out with chrome accent ring. Finishing off the new light fixtures are reworked door mirrors fitted with the obligatory built-in turn signals.
In back, the taillights have been slightly updated, but everything else seems to be much the same as the 2012 model. Venzas can now be ordered in Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl and Cosmic Gray Mica.
Interior changes also seem to be minimal except for updated steering wheel buttons and the option of adding Toyota’s package that integrates your smart phone with the vehicle’s dashboard display. The interior is also available in black for 2013.
Engine choices stay the same, with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V6 on offer.
Check the for more photos and to the press release for more details.
The has been a boon for since it arrived in 2007, with impressive sales complemented by profitable transaction prices. And even though the big Buick has gone without a refresh since its debut, the Enclave managed its best year ever in 2011, with a segment-leading 58,000 units sold.
Buick is hoping to stretch that streak with the Enclave’s first refresh for 2013. The tweaked three-row crossover will receive several updates, starting with a new front fascia that includes a black chrome waterfall grille and redesigned hood. The front also includes a new headlight design with standard Xenon headlamps and LED daytime running lights. Out back, the 2013 Enclave features new LED taillights and a fresh design with integrated exhaust outlets.
Overall, the exterior redesign is evolutionary, but more dramatic changes await inside. The Enclave’s cabin was fast becoming outdated, but Buick upped its game with a fresh dash that includes more modern-looking materials and contemporary center stack. There are also tasteful wood treatments, a smattering of chrome accents and attractive stitching throughout. The cabin also features blue LED ambient lighting that accentuates the size of this voluminous crossover.
The 2013 Enclave will also inherit Buick’s IntelliLink infotainment system, which offers a brilliant LCD and interactivity with smart phones via Bluetooth and USB connections. The Enclave also features tri-zone climate control and an industry-first front center airbag for additional crash protection.
Buick engineers hasn’t made any changes to the tried-and-true 3.6-liter V6 or the six-speed automatic, but the ride and handling setup has been given a bit of love. The front and rear dampers were revised for a smoother ride, with adjustments that also ensure big bumps don’t loosen your fillings. The ride has also received more “Quiet Tuning,” (read: insulation) which keeps even more unwanted road noise out of the re-imagined cabin than before.
The 2013 Buick Enclave will make its official debut at the tomorrow. Scroll down to read over the press release from Buick and peruse official high-resolution images in the gallery above.
Google Maps has reinstated the feature letting you know how long a trip will take in current traffic. According to Autoblog’s sister site, Engadget, the previous algorithm didn’t pass muster, so the updated calculations uses both historical and current traffic conditions to arrive at an estimated time of arrival. It appears on the journeys for which information is available beneath the no-traffic estimate.
If the map can’t find information on your chosen roads, you can assist The Goog and your fellow travelers by turning on if you have a Google Maps for Android. Your phone – and a bunch of others – will update home base as to your velocities and help fill in those traffic blanks.
The has been leaked ahead of its official announcement at the , and it seems to boasts a fresh face and a reasonable price tag. The smallest of crossovers will feature a revised front fascia that includes tweaked headlights and a new bumper with silver-painted accents. The LED highlights and light rings are available only as part of the optional xenon light package.
The same silver accents can be found on the side body sills, and BMW has penned new side-view mirrors. The rear also received a revamped bumper, plus fresh taillights. Inside changes include a shallower center console that has been tilted towards the driver, while chrome touches have been added for a more premium feel.
Under the hood, U.S. buyers will have a choice of turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines. The X1 28i will feature the powerful 2.0-liter turbo four, boasting 240 horsepower. The X1 xDrive35i will up the ante with BMW’s tried-and-true turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, which will be good for 300 horsepower.
Those well-regarded powertrains should provide enough punch to make the X1 a blast to drive, and luckily we won’t have to wait long to find out for sure. The X1 will arrive Stateside beginning in September with a palatable $31,545 price tag that includes the $895 destination charge. The xDrive28i tips the sales at $33,245 and the xDrive35i will start at $39,345. Not bad for an attractive little BMW, though we’re sure a few options will send the MSRP to $50,000 and beyond. to read over the BMW press release.
The is right around the corner, so let the embargo-break-a-palooza begin. Ahead of its official unveiling later this week, a few images of the have leaked onto the web, and if you’re familiar with Merc’s new design language, the updates to the big GL will come as no surprise.
Up front, the new headlamp design seen on the and has translated to the GL, complete with LED running lamps flanking each side above large air intakes. The design almost looks AMG-like, and while we never truly warmed to the design of the current GL, we like the looks of this 2013 model. The interior design hasn’t changed too much, though we’re sure that nicer materials and more up-to-date tech are on tap.
As of this writing, no official powertrain details have been released, though we don’t expect them to change a great deal from the current model. We’ll likely see a GL350 Bluetec model fitted with the delicious 3.0-liter diesel V6, as well as a GL550 with Merc’s new twin-turbocharged 4.6-liter V8 underhood. Seven-speed automatics will surely be offered with either engine, and all of the power will be sent to the ground via 4Matic all-wheel drive.
We’ll have the full suite of official details and images later this week, as well as live impressions direct from the New York show. Stay tuned.
When our friends at told us they’d be sending over a set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-70 tires mounted on 17-inch Sport Edition alloy wheels for our , our minds were immediately filled with images of the little blue hatchback bounding along snowy roads with razor-sharp precision and confidence. Instead, editors Neff, Paukert and myself can literally count on one hand the number of times we actually had to drive the on snowy/slushy roads. So much for winter tire/all-wheel-drive snowy playtime.
To say that we’ve had an unusually mild winter here in the Midwest is truly an understatement (note: we are absolutely not complaining). In mid-March, we saw record-high temperatures in the mid-80s. As Neff said in , seriously, what the hell is going on?
So rather than wear down the tread on our Blizzaks even further, we took the over to Motor City Mini once again to have its stock Pirelli Cinturato 18-inch wheels and run-flat (boo!) tires put back on. Perfect timing, too, since the car was just about to roll over the 12,000-mile mark, meaning its first scheduled maintenance was due. The oil was changed, fluids were topped off and all of the other mechanical elements inspected, and thus, our Mini is now prepped and ready for spring and summer in The D. We of the run-flat tires combined with our optional sport suspension already, so we’ll spare you another round of grumbling. If there’s one thing we’ll miss about the winter tires, it’s the smoother – albeit, slightly louder – ride.
Our observed fuel economy numbers are falling short of what the EPA suggests.
With 12,000 miles now under our belts, the Countryman is plenty broken in. But after a quick math session with the car’s logbook, it seems our observed fuel economy numbers are falling short of what the EPA suggests. I’ll personally admit to driving the Mini more aggressively than most consumers likely will (hey, this thing is seriously fun to throw around), but even so, the fact that our observed fuel economy is only 24.9 miles per gallon is indeed questionable. The EPA rates the 2011 Cooper S Countryman All4 at 26/32 mpg city/highway and 28 mpg combined when fitted with the six-speed manual transmission, and our best recorded fuel economy is only a dismal 29.3 mpg. Either I’m not the only one with a heavy right foot or something is off here. We’ll definitely be keeping a close watch over this as time progresses.
In the next month, associate editor Chris Shunk will put the Countryman to use as a family hauler, so we’ll get a better idea of just how kid-and-cargo-friendly the four-passenger interior really is. Stay tuned.
Keep your eyes locked on the official for the majority of our updates, as well as the official Autoblog Twitter account (, look for the hashtag).
California Assemblyman Mike Gatto has introduced , which could eventually return three kinds of vintage license plates to California roads: yellow and black plates from the mid 1950s, black and yellow plates from the 1960s – such as the sample 1963 plate pictured – and blue and yellow plates from the ’70s.
The initiative is called the Legacy License Plate Program, but before you collectors and period-correct enthusiasts salivate over – or lament – the possibilities, it has a few hurdles to clear. First, the bill has to be passed when its put to a vote on April 9, which is expected. Then it would only come into effect after 2,500 people had signed up for the plates, assuming that the DMV did its math correctly and had enough money to pay for it. Finally, once all of that got checked off, the program would begin in 2014.
Current regulations mean that in California, the license plate has with the car since new, so if you see a black plate on a 1966 Corvair, then that tag was minted the same year as that Chevrolet. The plates will be updated to modern standards, e.g., reflective paint, so they won’t look just like the old timers, but we figure vintage-minded owners won’t be fussed at all.
has a lot riding on the 2012 . In addition to the , the Japanese automaker will show off its new and models, and these aren’t exactly minor updates.
Under the hood of 2.5i models will be a brand-new 2.5-liter DOHC boxer four that puts out 173 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque – improvements of three and four, respectively. Furthermore, the 2013 Legacy’s new engine and the latest version of Subaru’s CVT automatic gearbox achieve estimated fuel economy ratings of 24 miles per gallon city, 32 highway and 27 combined. That’s one mile per gallon better across the board, and a six-speed manual will also be available.
The Outback, which boasts 8.7 inches of ground clearance, will manage an estimated 24/30/26 mpg with the same drivetrain. Both models will be available with an optional 3.6-liter flat-six engine mated to a five-speed automatic that offers up 256 horsepower. All-wheel drive is, of course, standard.
Subaru’s new EyeSight driver-assist system, which integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning, will debut on the 2013 Legacy and Outback, and you can read plenty more about this technology . Bluetooth connectivity is also new, along with iPod controls and a USB port. A seven-inch navigation screen will be optional on top-end models.
Styling is tweaked a bit, with a new front fascia standing out as the most obvious change, and Subaru claims that the ride and handling have been improved thanks to a stiffer structure and revised suspension geometry. We’ll be sure to bring you live photos from New York, but in the meantime, check out the few shots released so far and the official press blasts for both models .
Few rivalries are as heated as that between the and the . And with both models having recently been updated, Evo magazine has taken the updated GT-R and the new 911 Carrera S to the Bedford Autodrome for a little head-on-head action. And who better to put in front of the camera and behind the wheel than Tiff Needell, the longtime Fifth Gear co-host who’s now doing a series of video tests for the magazine British enthusiasts love best.
Now if you’re thinking that the GT-R really ought to be compared to the 911 Turbo and not the naturally aspirated 911 Carrera S, well, you’re probably right. Particularly since Nissan hiked the price on its latest performance flagship to nearly $100,000. But Porsche hasn’t released the turbocharged version of its latest 911, so the Carrera S will have to do. Skip to see how they compare, as well as which one is Tiff’s favorite.
has just revealed its to the assembled media in Dearborn ahead of its debut. And while the 350-horsepower, 350-pound-foot-of-torque crossover will be the performance capstone for the nameplate, Autoblog has learned that the Sport also previews a number of subtle performance updates that will roll out throughout the entire range for the new model year.
The Sport isn’t just an engine upgrade and appearance modifications – there are meaningful tweaks across the entire vehicle.
Among those changes is a new solid mount for its electric power steering rack, a move designed to take some of the slop out of the system and deliver more accurate direction changes (the Sport also receives its own unique boost tuning to add both quickness and heft). In addition, engineers have gone over the Explorer’s suspension and steering, fitting new ball- and steering joints, with the goal of increased stiffness so that shock and bushing tuning can be more finely adjusted. The result, say Ford officials, is a better controlled vehicle – one that allows for greater performance differentiation model to model (Sport versus XLT, say) through simple tuning of the vehicle’s compliant bits.
To be clear, the Explorer Sport stops well short of a full-on performance model like the – Ford itself suggests likely competitors include the and its . Even so, the Sport isn’t just an engine upgrade and appearance modifications – there are meaningful tweaks across the entire vehicle, including everything from a 3.16:1 final drive ratio to a water-cooled Power Take Off faceplate cooler that keeps the standard all-wheel-drive system at proper operating temps when it’s being worked harder by those 350 pound-feet.
Ford says the Sport knocks a full two seconds off the 0-60 time of other models.
Apparently Ford has learned its lesson based on feedback it received from (a vehicle that shares much of this CUV’s architecture and drivetrain). Like the , the Explorer Sport has received a brake upgrade, moving from 13.1-inch rotors to 13.8 inches. In addition, the discs themselves are thicker, leading to a 22-percent increase in stopping power. That’s good news, because Ford says the Sport knocks a full two seconds off the 0-60 time of other models, but it declined to cite a hard number.
Other Sport-specific hardware changes include a throatier dual exhaust with large polished tips, a reworked Terrain Management System to take advantage of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine’s extra torque in all conditions, as well as larger shock tower braces and a new cross tunnel brace for added rigidity.
Ford says it sold 135,000 Explorers last year, and fully 50 percent of those were conquest buyers. Of that percentage, 12 percent were luxury brand converts, so Ford is clearly betting that the 2013 Sport’s augmented performance and style can yield even more higher-end transaction prices.
has released this teaser image of the sedan, and – surprise, surprise – it shows off the spindle grille and LED running lamps found on each and every one of the automaker’s vehicles. More to the point, it looks exactly like what we saw in a that we posted last month, so really, there isn’t much left for us to speculate on in terms of design.
The -based Lexus mid-sizer will likely debut in ES 350 guise, powered by Toyota’s tried-and-true 3.5-liter V6. And while, historically, there’s only been one engine offered in the ES range, rumor has it that this sixth-generation model with a version of the Camry Hybrid’s gasoline-electric powertrain. Regardless, Lexus states that the new ES will feature “a new dynamic driving experience.” We’ll see about that.
Inside, expect a host of updates similar to what we’ve seen on the sedan, including a larger infotainment display screen and mouse-like controller, as well as the addition of . We’ll have the full details next week live from New York, so stay tuned. For now, for the automaker’s brief press blast.
The last time we remember talking about a high-performance was 2007 when a rare . For the 2013 model year, however, will start producing high performance Explorers right at the factory. Dubbed the Explorer Sport, this new addition to the Explorer lineup sports the same twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 found in the , , and and . It produces the least amount of power in this application – 350 horsepower – and while Ford doesn’t mention torque figures in the press release below, we can assume somewhere around 350 lb-ft.
Ford is projecting fuel economy numbers in the neighborhood of 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 mpg highway, and says the Explorer Sport can also tow up to 5,000 pounds. Other tweaks to get this three-row crossover dancing include reinforcements to the chassis, a faster ratio for its electric steering system, a unique 3.16:1 final drive ratio and larger brakes. There are also paddles to shift the six-speed automatic transmission and special settings for the Explorer’s Terrain Management System.
When treating the Explorer Sport to a few exterior changes, Ford designers went with a dark theme, blacking out the lighting elements, roof rails and sideview mirrors, as well as the grille, lower front fascia and wheel faces. Inside the Explorer Sport gets Charcoal Black leather seating, with or without contrasting inserts, and special stitching on the seats and steering wheel.
No pricing was given, but the new Sport model will sit atop the Explorer line, which means a base price north of the Explorer Limited’s at $38,180. Ford is showing the Explorer Sport at a media event near its headquarters in Dearborn as we speak, so stay tuned for the first live images of the Explorer Sport as we get them.
