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more about #fordexplorer more comments → vwminispeedster, pronounded Si-trow-in: looking at how the belts inflate all i see is the "balloon" increasing in front of the belt. The rigid belt webbing is still again your chest ready t... more » Vicarious-Chair: How about we all just don't drive like dumbasses? #seatbelts more » KeyserSoze: It seems like a good enough idea at first blush, but now, when you wreck you have to repack the $1,000+ airbags and steering wheel, AND now replace th... more » fuchikoma: Sounds like a great idea to me... we've all probably heard myths about people being cut in half by seatbelts, and certainly felt them when slamming on... more » tempesjo: If memory serves me correctly, this sounds like a reworking of the well-intentioned but ultimately unpopular "pillow of flames" technology from the Fo... more » ChiefPontiaxe: Sorry, now I can't get this song out of my head. Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm! #seatbelts more » okidokedork: Kudos to Ford, that's pretty cool. I wonder why Volvo didn't come up with this one first, they are usually always on top of the safety improvements. ... more » dolo54 blows minds and blows engines!: Looks like a good idea to me, as long as the balloon doesn't cover little timmy's mouth. #seatbelts more » wrx-tyrannosaurusWrx: I don't know why people are so quick to discredit this new technology. Everybody loves Sock 'Em Boppers. #seatbelts more » that ain't the way to have fun, son: Interesting, but why hasn't someone invented a delivery system for Great Stuff-like foam? Granted, you'll never get it off you, but if it solidified... more » skaycog: Kudos to Ford on an inflatable seat belt! This will provide better protection, not only for our children, but for other things we hold dear to our he... more » OldeEnglishD: I am still waiting for the foam from Demolition Man... #seatbelts more » danio3834: Yet another unibody crossover/minivan/suv thing from Ford. How will people distinguish between all their offerings that are so similar? IMO they sho... more » 55Hardtop: Agreed the monster headlight styling trend is played out, time for something new. I think putting the Explorer on a car platform is a supreme mistake... more » RegalRegalia: I can just image the meeting for this... "so we think we should revive a model that made ford great in this turnaround we're having" "great idea, bu... more » -
#autotech
Ford's Inflatable Seat Belt Explained, Exploded
Yesterday we told you about the Ford inflatable seat belt that's definitely not an airbag. Today we get to see just how the thing works with crash event test footage and additional explanation on why Ford says they're important. -
#spyphotos
2011 Ford Explorer Showing Off Next-Gen Body
After months of Freestyle-bodied 2011 Ford Explorer mules, we're finally getting a closer look at the shape of the next Explorer. Looks about 90% the size of the current model. It should, considering it shares underpinnings with the Flex. [Autoweek] -
#cashforclunkers
Ford Wants Your Cash For Clunker Explorer Trade-In Stories
Ford wants to hear your "Cash For Clunkers" stories — you know — how you traded in your old, crappy Ford Explorer for one of those nice, fuel-efficient imports. So go ahead, give your stories in the comments below. More » -
#2011fordexplorer
The Car-Based Ford Explorer Test Mule, Up Close And Personal
A funny thing happens when you ride a motorcycle around Detroit with no particular purpose: You see a lot of things people would rather you not see, like the curious-looking car-based 2011 Ford Explorer we first saw a couple days ago. Having no final destination also gives you the freedom to chase down your quarry and tail it until the driver parks it in a public parking lot to go have dinner with his buddies. So we played the stalker — oh well. It afforded us the opportunity to poke around the "Ford Freestyle with the Flex nose" and learn some interesting things about the supposed new Explorer — primarily that it's powered by a transversely mounted engine. More confounding details and a positively enormous gallery of spy shots below. More » -
#2011fordexplorer
First Photos Of New Car-Based Ford Explorer
The quick shutterbugs at KGP just snapped these first pictures of what appears to be a test mule for the new Ford Explorer running around on a car platform on the streets of Dearborn, MI. We've already reported the next-generation Explorer will be more car-like, something hinted at with the Ford Explorer America concept shown at Detroit earlier this year. The mule captured by KGP appears to be a mixture of the Ford Flex and Taurus X but with a taller ride-height, higher cowl and a revised A-pillar. All of this points to a taller, shorter vehicle than the current Explorer. Full spy report below the jump. More » -
#conceptcars
How GM Killed The Crossover: The Brief Life Of The Chevy XT-2 Concept Truck
In 1989, it was increasingly clear a new revolution was coming to the truck market, but what shape it would take was still a mystery. With the staggering success of large body-on-frame SUVs and light trucks just a gleam in the eyes of automakers, GMs design team continued down the path of car-based pickups with the Chevy XT-2 Concept Truck. Although we now know car-based pickups and SUVs lost the battle to large SUVs shortly thereafter, it appears the XT-2, an essentially ignored concept here in the United States, may end up winning the design war. More » -
