The rugged off-road Explorer has yet to be revealed.
This is an early Christmas gift for Blue Oval offroad fans. In September we spotted a camouflaged Ford Explorer. We thought it was an FX4 model designed for off-roading. It will now be known as Timberline. We have received new spy photos from Dearborn that show the brutish Explorer fully exposed. The new Timberline is now available for you to view.
Although spy photographers captured a few different prototypes, the basic Explorer design remains the same. The front fascia has been completely redesigned and will feature new lower and upper grilles. The Explorer doesn’t have a lower seat than the Explorer and there is clearly a skid plate around the bottom. The front clip looks fake, but it is not clear if the photos show any further below the chassis. From a head-on view, there will be no mistaking the Timberline for a standard Explorer.
Others changes aren’t as obvious. The rear fascia has been slightly modified, with the exhaust outlets being moved from the bumper and hidden underneath the SUV. Ford appears to be determined to improve the Explorer’s approach/departure angles by combining the changes at the front. Bridgestone Duelers with black wheels replace street-oriented tires. Ford won’t have to worry about Wrangler printed on the sidewalls.
Details about powertrain upgrades remain vague. It is possible that the suspension will be modified to improve off-road performance. The Expedition FX4 is an example of what could be possible. This includes electronic differentials, skid plates and standard 360-degree cameras. The 3.0-liter EcoBoost will produce 365 horsepower. However, the ST’s 400-hp version would make it more powerful.
The Explorer Timberline will debut as a 2022 model in the first half 2021.