The memo also included another valuable piece of information as the suppliers have been told the Explorer and Aviator EVs won’t be built at the Cuautitlan assembly plant after all. The new location has not been disclosed, but the reason why Ford is moving production has to do with the Mustang Mach-E. Due to popular demand, the company intends to boost the output of the electric SUV with a pony car’s name at the factory in Mexico.

Contacted by Automotive News, Ford North America COO Lisa Drake refused to comment on the matter, but did say the production capacity at the Cuautitlan facility will be fully dedicated to the Mustang Mach-E. The Dearborn-based automaker will gradually increase output from 2022 and reach an annual production capacity of 200,000 units in 2023.

To make it happen, Lisa Drake mentioned Ford is currently having talks with suppliers to secure the additional electric motors battery packs necessary for the planned output increase for the Mustang Mach-E in the coming years. 200,000 would be a significant jump considering Ford is on track to deliver roughly 60,000 examples in 2021.

It’s worth noting the electric SUV is not exclusively built in Mexico as the Mustang Mach-E is also being put together in China for the local market as of October 2021.

With the Aviator EV being delayed, it seems Ford won’t stick to its original plan to unveil the SUV without a combustion engine in 2022 as part of its centenary celebrations as it bought Lincoln on February 4, 1922, for $8 million.

Source: Automotive News

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Both the engines combined generate up to 457 HP and an impressive 825 Nm (608 lb-ft) of torque. This is the most powerful hybrid vehicle in the Ford range.

The Explorer is equipped with an All-Wheel Drive traction paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The off-road skills are guaranteed by the Terrain Management System, which offers seven different driving modes depending on the environment conditions. The batteries won’t reduce the cargo space by that much: you can carry up to 2,274 l of luggages if you sacrifice the second and the third row of seats, thanks to the Easy Fold seats.

The efficiency is pretty good as well; you should be able to maintain a fuel consumption 3-3,5 l/100km (75-70 mpg) while keeping emissions under control (66 g/km).

Furthermore, the new Ford Explorer features many driving assistant technologies, such as the adaptive Cruise Control, Speed Sign Recognition, Lane-Centering and Reverse Brake Assist. The infotainment system is composed by a 10.1’’ display, a three-zone air conditioning system and a Bang&Olufsen Hi-Fi system with 14 speakers.

To recharge completely the battery of the Ford Explorer – which can travel for about 40-45 kms/25 miles in full-electric mode – at home with a standard electrical outlet, you will need about 6 hours. Enough to recharge completely while you sleep. But if you use the Ford Connected Wallbox, you will only need about 4 hours. You can recharge it while you’re at work.

The car is also designed to tow caravans, boats, horses etc. for a maximum weight of 2,500 kg (5,500 lbs).

If you want to ease the use of this large car in your city, Ford offers a couple of optional packages that will let you use an automatic park assist (both park-in and park-out) system.

“It’s not a question of filling the vehicle with technology for the sheer pleasure of doing it,” said Torsten Wey, Manager, Driver Assistance and Safety Technology, Ford Europe. “The goal is to improve the driving experience, making it less stressful, helping drivers to feel more confident and serene when they are behind the wheel.”

The standard equipment is quite rich and includes 20’’ wheels and a large amount of tech equipment, so you won’t need to pay a single buck for a nice configuration.

The Ford Explorer is, of course, made to be comfortable for all of the seven passengers. With almost 1 meter of headroom for all three rows, and more than 1.5 meters for the shoulders of the occupants of the first and second rows, each passenger can stay inside the Explorer for a long time without suffering from claustrophobia.

The Ford Explorer Hybrid won’t be cheap. The prices in all Europe are around €80,000 which puts in the same class with other premium offerings.

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