So yesterday was National Explorer Reveal Day. I won't re-write what you have no doubt already read from many other source.
Here is a nice slide show of the reveal in Dearborn, from the Examiner. Apparently, worried that people would get the idea that the new Explorer is an on-road machine only, Ford constructed a 30 foot high dirt hill (very well groomed) which they used to unveil the new Explorer.
I think the vehicle looks great, inside and out, but it is a definite departure for Ford. It is no longer PC to sell a truck which over-capable, primarily targeted at suburban families, who won't really ever drive it on off-road trails or tow anything heavier than a jet-ski trailer or pop up camper. Ford looked at who was buying the old Explorer, and made a vehicle that appeals to a majority of those customers. This will however alienate the few people who actually used the old Explorer as a heavy tow vehicle, or benefited from a real locking 4x4 system.
