2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Preview

Everyone needs a pickup truck from time to time, but most folks don’t want to ride around in an uncomfortable, unrefined vehicle on a daily basis. Instead, they opt for an SUV or simply do without and beg to borrow a neighbor’s pickup when the need arises, such as when moving to a new place or making a trip to the local hardware mega-store. In 2001, Ford tried to resolve this conundrum by combining the refinement and spaciousness of an SUV with the convenience and utility of a pickup truck, calling its concoction the Explorer Sport Trac. The Explorer Sport Trac met many needs by blending room for the kids and seats comfortable enough for daily use with the utility of a truck for those weekend runs to the home improvement center. Since then, however, the competition has debuted redesigned pickups that are as roomy and accommodating as SUVs while offering a useful cargo bed in the back. But Ford is ready for battle with the all-new, more refined 2007 Explorer Sport Trac – which arrives early in 2006. Undoubtedly, there is a market for this kind of a vehicle. Whether Ford’s new 2007 Explorer Sport Trac will be able to tackle the competition is yet to be seen.

What it is

The 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is designed to extend to its owner all of the creature comforts of an SUV with the versatility of a standard pickup truck. The idea behind the Sport Trac is that it can be used to haul the family and cover commuting chores on the weekdaysand then be used as a work truck on the weekends. Adding to the Explorer Sport Trac’s utility, Ford has incorporated convenient storage boxes for tools and gear in the cargo box. Ford also designed the bed to enable owners to haul 4x8 sheets of plywood on an upper tier while keeping the area beneath them open for storage. On the comfort side of the Sport Trac equation, an emphasis on reducing wind noise includes the addition of noise-abating materials in the cabin and improved aerodynamics that reduce the flow of air between the cabin and the cargo bed.

Why it matters

With the convergence of the truck and SUV markets, competition has gotten tough and manufacturers are constantly looking for an edge to attract buyers to its products. The 2007 Explorer Sport Trac is important to Ford because it offers the best of the truck and SUV worlds in one package. Consumers want the convenience of owning one vehicle that has multiple capabilities and the Explorer Sport Trac is designed to fulfill those requirements.

What’s under the hood

The 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac comes standard with a 4.0-liter V6 producing 210 horsepower and 254 lb.-ft. of torque linked to a five-speed automatic transmission. The V6 can tow up to 5,310 pounds and provides a payload capacity of 1,450 pounds. According to Ford, the Explorer Sport Trac’s V6 engine spews few emissions, equalling the Ford Escape Hybrid on the clean-and-green scale. For those requiring more power and towing capability, Ford offers what it calls a “best-in-class V8 option. The 4.6-liter V8 whips up 292 horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of torque with a 6,800-pound towing capacity and 1,430 pounds of payload ability. The V8 is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission and, according to Ford, is expected to deliver better than 20 mpg on the highway. The Explorer Sport Trac can be equipped with either 2WD or 4WD.

What’s inside

Passenger comfort was a priority in the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac, so the cabin is essentially identical to the Explorer SUV shown here. Ford’s emphasis on reduciong interior noise resulted in additional insulation and improved aerodynamics. Two-tone leather seating and decor, a heated windshield, Sirius satellite radio, and – for the first time –side curtain airbags are available. Inside the cargo bed, Ford has designed convenient storage compartments into the side panels and added drain plugs to keep them free of water buildup.

What it looks like

Ford didn’t take any big risks with the design of the all-new 2007 Explorer Sport Trac. In fact, it’s not a big departure from the outgoing 2005 design in terms of philosophy (there is no 2006 model). The new styling could best be categorized as a freshening, despite the fact that it’s completely new. The biggest difference is the chrome grille, new headlights, and revised fog lamps – all of which closely resemble the restyled 2006 Explorer SUV. At the sides, the fender flares have a more traditional rounded appearance as opposed to the swept design of the original. At the rear, larger wraparound taillights are the highlight. The 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac retains its rugged, brawny look but still looks sophisticated enough to blend into morning freeway traffic.

What Ford says

When it comes to Ford’s position on the 2007 Explorer Sport Trac, Steve Lyons, group vice president of North America marketing, sales and service says, “(The) Sport Trac is designed for customers who demand the comfort and refinement of a five-passenger SUV as well as a tough and rugged adventure vehicle for hauling everything from mountain bikes to landscaping supplies. The all-new 2007 Sport Trac delivers all of the multi-functional character of the original, and does it better than ever.” In reference to the long awaited V8 engine option, Bryan Olsen, Sport Trac marketing manager, says, “Customers have been asking for a V8 since day one. These customers want the added capability and towing capacity as well as the power and performance that only a V8 can deliver.”

What we think

Whether or not the 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac will deliver the goods “better than ever” is still to be seen since no one outside of Ford has driven one. We definitely welcome the increased refinement inside and out and are looking forward to trying the V8 engine and six-speed transmission on for size. But, why did the V8 take so long? Talk about bad timing. Having the V8 available two years ago would have had customers tripping over one another for the old Explorer Sport Trac, but now with gas prices on the rise we can’t see the demand being there.

When you can buy it

No exact on-sale date has been given by Ford for the all-new 2007 Explorer Sport Trac, but the company confirms that production is set to begin at the Louisville, Kent., assembly plant in the spring of 2006. Figure on seeing them arrive in showrooms in the summer of ‘06.

Key stats

Engine Size and Type: 4.0-liter V6; 4.6-liter V8 Engine Horsepower: 210 (V6); 292 (V8) Engine Torque: 254 lb.-ft. (V6); 300 lb.-ft. (V8) Transmission: Five-speed automatic (V6); six-speed automatic (V8) Curb weight, lbs.: 4,516 to 4,793 depending on engine and drivetrain Length: 210.2 inches Width: 73.7 inches Wheelbase: 130.5 inches Height: 71.9 inches Leg room (front/rear): 42.4/36.8 Head room (front/rear): 39.8/38.5 Max. Seating Capacity: 5 Max. Payload, lbs.: 1,400-1,450 depending on engine and drivetrain Max. Towing Capacity, lbs.: 5,140-6,800 depending on engine and drivetrain

Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company