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Detroit, 4:57 AM
Mon Nov 23
11 posts in the last 24 hours

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  • posts about #taurusx more →

    2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?

    Ford Taurus X And Mercury Sable Officially Dead As A Doorknob

    Goodbye, Dave: Taurus X To Say Farewell By 2010

    Ford Execs Compare Current Taurus To...Homer Simpson?!

    New York Auto Show Preview: Ford Flex To Show Pecs In The Big Apple

    Chicago Auto Show: Ford Unveils Taurus Models for 2008

    Car And Driver Learns About Watermarks

    Ford's New Bull Is Official: Exit The Five Hundred, Enter The Taurus

    It's Sort Of Official: Introducing The Ford Taurus, Taurus X And Mercury Sable
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    Dsmvwl  Admin  Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×
    Image of mwc5446 mwc5446
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    The current Ford Explorer isn't based on the Ford Ranger. I don't think the Explorer has been 'based' on the Ranger for a model revisions. Anyone know the truth to this one?

    So, the Ranger will continue on, as it is a cash cow. This new Explorer most likely will NOT look like this, similar, maybe.
     Reply
    mwc5446 was starred mwc5446 was unstarred
    Image of MushyHeirloom MushyHeirloom
    03/30/09

    @mwc5446: The Explorer's had a separate platform since the 2002 model year, but the Sport and Sport Trac used the Ranger platform until the former was cancelled after '03 and the latter redesigned for the '07 model year. (None were sold for '06, as the '07 was introduced early in the year.)
     Reply
    MushyHeirloom was starred MushyHeirloom was unstarred
    Image of DoctorNine DoctorNine
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    I actually think that the Flex is a pretty darned good vehicle. They don't need to compete with themselves in this particular segment. If anything, they need to pay more attention to smaller cars.
     Reply
    DoctorNine was starred DoctorNine was unstarred
    Image of pauljones pauljones
    03/30/09

    @DoctorNine:


    I thought I was the only oddball in the thread that like the Flex.

     Reply
    pauljones was starred pauljones was unstarred
    Image of RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    I think Explorer should stay BOF, and "merge" with Expedition. There should be Explorer and Explorer XL (formerly Expedition) sharing everything but a longer frame. This hits the market for towing SUV's, which is still large.


    Leave Flex/Edge/Escape to cover soft roaders.


    Flex and this Explorer will be the exact same thing, with different styling. There will continue to be a need for towing with a SUV, and not everyone wants an Expedition sized vehicle for that.

     Reply
    RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment was starred RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment was unstarred
    Image of danio3834 danio3834
    03/30/09

    @rlj676-Carbon Footprint Size - Clownshoe: I agree with this. There are people who still want a truck-SUV with V8 power but dont want something too gargantuan.


    The Expedition is quite large, but the current Explorer is managable to park, can tow a good load, is decent on fuel and actually kinda hauls ass with the 3-valve 4.6


    I guess its just kinda caught in the middle.

     Reply
    danio3834 was starred danio3834 was unstarred
    Image of Sportwagons, haulin' stuff and haulin' balls Sportwagons, haulin' stuff and haulin' balls
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    Who's building the ugly spaceship in that photo and what planet is it on?
     Reply
    Sportwagons, haulin' stuff and haulin' balls was starred Sportwagons, haulin' stuff and haulin' balls was unstarred
    Image of Plecostomus [Tyrrell] Plecostomus [Tyrrell]
    03/30/09

    @Sportwagons - now with vitamin F: That gave me quite a chuckle. heartclick for you.
     Reply
    Plecostomus [Tyrrell] was starred Plecostomus [Tyrrell] was unstarred
    Image of engineerd engineerd
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    So basically they are doing a redesign of the Taurus X and changing the name to Explorer? Am I missing something?


    Don't get me wrong, I think that making the Explorer car-based is probably a smart move business-wise, I lament the death of the truck-based SUV. I had an '02 Explorer (1st year of the latest body style) and I loved it.


    Oh well, I told my wife I want an M5 Touring as my next car.

     Reply
    engineerd was starred engineerd was unstarred
    Image of RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
    03/30/09

    @f*cking engineerd:


    You will not be the last person in Detroit if you buy a god damned M5 (I believe you have the goal of last person here). You would be hung before then.

     Reply
    RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment was starred RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment was unstarred
    Image of pauljones pauljones
    03/30/09

    @rlj676-Carbon Footprint Size - Clownshoe:


    Ah...Detroit.


    Kind of like the Civil War south, except with UAW execution squads instead of KKK lynch mobs.

     Reply
    pauljones was starred pauljones was unstarred
    Image of engineerd engineerd
    03/30/09

    @rlj676-Carbon Footprint Size - Clownshoe: Yes, that is my goal. And my M5 will be armored for when I am king.


    I did ask my father-in-law a while back if I could park in his driveway if I get anything other than a Ford. He said, "Sure, if you give me your Mustang."


    In all reality, especially since the M5 Touring is not sold in the US (bastards!), I will have to go further down the list:


    *Taurus SHO

    *M3 Sedan

    *3 Series

    *Fiesta (4-door)

    *Jetta TDI Wagon

     Reply
    engineerd was starred engineerd was unstarred
    Image of Cognitive Friction Cognitive Friction
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    Needs wood grain paneling and 3rd row seating facing backwards
     Reply
    Cognitive Friction was starred Cognitive Friction was unstarred
    Image of DoctorNine DoctorNine
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    They should just forget this whole thing, and rename the Flex the Explorer . Forget continuing this aberrant SUV trend that has proven to be a bad idea socially and environmentally. Stop making automotive crack, just because the population wants it. It's bad for them. Take some initiative. Darth Vader DIES in the sequel. Just Say No.
     Reply
    DoctorNine was starred DoctorNine was unstarred
    Image of MarywithanM™ MarywithanM™
    03/30/09

    @DoctorNine: May I have s'more?


    /Looks at empty bowl;ducks

     Reply
    MarywithanM™ was starred MarywithanM™ was unstarred
    Image of DoctorNine DoctorNine
    03/30/09

    @MarywithanM the Jalopwrench trying to loose Ash78: {glares back sullenly}
     Reply
    DoctorNine was starred DoctorNine was unstarred
    Image of Brimful of Ash on the 78 Brimful of Ash on the 78
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    Sounds like a case where they're porting the Explorer name over in a poorly-thought-out manner (like Taurus for Five Hundred). The Explorer was THE original mainstream SUV. It's the Honda Accord of SUVs. Many people actually do tow things with them. What's going to happen with a FWD unibody version?


    How about the cannibalization issue? Escape/Flex/Edge...

     Reply
    Brimful of Ash on the 78 was starred Brimful of Ash on the 78 was unstarred
    Image of danio3834 danio3834
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    Cause this is what Ford needs. Another car-based Crossover.


    Ahem


    Escape
    Taurus X
    Edge
    Flex
    new Exploder?

     Reply
    danio3834 was starred danio3834 was unstarred
    Image of pauljones pauljones
    03/30/09

    @danio3834: The Taurus X is gone now, but otherwise, I agree.


    The Flex is a big enough vehicle that it can be effectively marketed to a different audience.


    The Escape would be the one I would buy if I had to, considering it has most of the usable space of a current Explorer in smaller, cheaper, slightly more fuel efficient package.


    The Explorer/Edge thing, though, leaves them in a tough spot. They are now both going to be midsize crossovers marketed right next to each other? I hope not. One would think they had learned the mistake of marketing the Freestyle/Taurus X and the Edge next to each other.


    I think they ought to let the Explorer name die, and continue to develop the platform for use on the next Edge and MKX.

     Reply
    pauljones was starred pauljones was unstarred
    Image of Brimful of Ash on the 78 Brimful of Ash on the 78
    03/30/09

    @pauljones: I like the idea of "merging" the Edge and Explorer, but I think killing the Explorer name would be a mistake.


    Second only to Mustang, Explorer is the most valuable sub-brand Ford has probably ever had. So between the two, I think Edge should disappear in favor of a mix of the two vehicles (named Explorer).

     Reply
    Brimful of Ash on the 78 was starred Brimful of Ash on the 78 was unstarred
    Image of pauljones pauljones
    03/30/09

    @Ash78: I see your point.


    My thought was that the fact that you still see the "Exploder" jokes around was indicative of the fact that the Explorer name still has quite a bit of negative connotation attached to it, while the Edge name, though not as historic, is new, has been generally well-accepted, and does not have any major blemishes on it.


    But I do agree that the Explorer is a valuable name plate, and truth be told, I don't care what they name it, as long as they do wind up merging them and not selling two competing products in the same niche.

     Reply
    pauljones was starred pauljones was unstarred
    Image of RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment
    03/30/09

    @pauljones:


    Edge and Escape are really who are the same now.


    Both are 2 row CUV's.


    Flex and Explorer will now also be the same, 3 row CUV's.


    I've never understood all of this. My thoughts are that maybe distinctly different styling appeals to different markets, so it is similar to sharing a platform across badges, but with the same badge.

     Reply
    RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment was starred RLJ676-LS3 Commuter Car - for the environment was unstarred
    Image of Brimful of Ash on the 78 Brimful of Ash on the 78
    03/30/09

    @rlj676-Carbon Footprint Size - Clownshoe: I think that, out of all of those, Flex is at least the most unique. To your point about snow clearance the other day, the Flex strikes me as more of a low-clearance wagon, while even a softened Explorer could coexist with it okay. Style and space-wise, they're different enough, despite similar seating.


    I'm more concerned about the ever-growing Escape and the nouveau Edge--which, as I stated above, I feel should be "merged" with Explorer. Offer an optional third-row and call it done (which is what Explorer already does, unless row 3 is now standard).

     Reply
    Brimful of Ash on the 78 was starred Brimful of Ash on the 78 was unstarred
    Image of Unregular Unregular
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    i have never seen a Flex on the road - are they for sale yet?
     Reply
    Unregular was starred Unregular was unstarred
    Image of Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face.
    03/30/09

    @Unregular: Yes, they have been for nearly a year now.
     Reply
    Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was starred Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was unstarred
    Image of danio3834 danio3834
    03/30/09

    @Unregular: They're all over the place around here. I'm surprised you haven't seen even one.
     Reply
    danio3834 was starred danio3834 was unstarred
    Image of Unregular Unregular
    03/30/09

    @danio3834: i have NEVER seen one.


    i live in Boston.


    they do like their Explorers around here... but no Flexeses.

     Reply
    Unregular was starred Unregular was unstarred
    Image of pauljones pauljones
    03/30/09

    @Unregular: They are everywhere in SoCal, and I must admit, they are pretty damn cool.
     Reply
    pauljones was starred pauljones was unstarred
    Image of Plecostomus [Tyrrell] Plecostomus [Tyrrell]
    03/30/09

    @Unregular: I am on the same page as Paul Jones about them being everywhere in SoCal... about them being cool, though, not so much.
     Reply
    Plecostomus [Tyrrell] was starred Plecostomus [Tyrrell] was unstarred
    Image of pauljones pauljones
    03/30/09

    @Pleco, king of the junkyard: Okay, compared to everything else in its class, the Flex is downright cool.
     Reply
    pauljones was starred pauljones was unstarred
    Image of parkrndl parkrndl
    03/30/09

    @Unregular: local dealer here had 2 black ones in the fall. looked like a pair of friggin hearses, if you ask me.
     Reply
    parkrndl was starred parkrndl was unstarred
    Image of MushyHeirloom MushyHeirloom
    03/30/09

    @parkrndl: Again, this is a plus.


    The dealer up in Hillsborough (adds that to spellchecker) (adds "spellchecker" to spellchecker) has/had two of 'em - one light blue, one cranberry, both with white roofs. I quite like 'em, but they're bigger than what I'd want.

     Reply
    MushyHeirloom was starred MushyHeirloom was unstarred
    Image of marc2068 marc2068
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    This is the final call for the Ranger. Think about it when the Explorer goes FWD based there will be no need for the basic platform that makes up the Ranger. So Ford Must either make a serious upgrade to the small truck platform or make a version of the Dodge Rampage. Bigger but no guts because it is still FWD based.
     Reply
    marc2068 was starred marc2068 was unstarred
    Image of Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face.
    03/30/09

    @marc2068: Unless plans have changed, my understanding is that Ford will replace the Ranger with a slightly shrunken F150 called the F100. Personally I think this will result in a vehicle larger then Ranger buyers want an smaller than F-series buyers want, but I guess we shall see...
     Reply
    Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was starred Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was unstarred
    Image of despisethesun despisethesun
    03/30/09

    @Mike the Dog will work for a Preview Button!: Word is the F100 was canned in favour of putting Ecoboosts into F150s instead. Disappointing news, I have no use for anything as big as an F150 where I live.
     Reply
    despisethesun was starred despisethesun was unstarred
    Image of Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face.
    03/30/09

    @despisethesun: So they're going to replace their small truck with an underpowered full-size truck? Fucking brilliant.
     Reply
    Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was starred Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was unstarred
    Image of despisethesun despisethesun
    03/31/09

    @Mike the Dog will work for a Preview Button!: It sounds like they're getting turbocharged motors, so they won't be too underpowered, but I don't think you'll be doing any towing with those torque curves.
     Reply
    despisethesun was starred despisethesun was unstarred
    Image of Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face.
    03/31/09

    @despisethesun: I realized that right after I hit submit, but figured most here would get what I meant. Good luck getting a pickup owner to understand that you have to rev the snot out of it to get any power.
     Reply
    Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was starred Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was unstarred
    Image of Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face.
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    This actually makes some sense. Since the Ranger chassis that the current Exploder is based on seems to be sailing into the sunset, the choices are:


    1) Continue the current platform without any other models to share it.


    2) Base the new Explorer on the F100, which will make it bigger and cut into Explorer and Expedition sales.


    3) Base it on a car platform, which should make it more economical at the expense of off-road utility.


    Since the vast majority of them never even see dirt roads very often, the third option seems to make the most sense.

     Reply
    Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was starred Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was unstarred
    Image of Clashtastic misses Jalopnik 1.0 Clashtastic misses Jalopnik 1.0
    03/30/09

    @Mike the Dog will work for a Preview Button!:

    I thought that sgarting with the 2002 Model Year the Explorer got a new frame and no longer shared a chassis with the Ranger. I think the explorer would make a good platform to start out with for the F100, I honestly don't really like the idea of basing it off the Taurus X platform, I mean Taurus X and Flex together were redundant, so how is this Explorer going to be any more different than the Flex, besides more stiltage. The Explorer does full fill a certain role as a mid size body on frame SUV with pretty good tow capability...once the trailblazer platform dies out, all thats left is i guess, Durango/Aspen and who really wants one of those?
     Reply
    Clashtastic misses Jalopnik 1.0 was starred Clashtastic misses Jalopnik 1.0 was unstarred
    Image of Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face.
    03/30/09

    @clashtastic: You appear to be correct. I was unaware of that, thank you.
     Reply
    Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was starred Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was unstarred
    Image of Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face.
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    Right where it is. Even car-based, the new Exploder is still going to slot above it in the line-up.
     Reply
    Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was starred Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was unstarred
    Image of pauljones pauljones
    03/30/09

    @Mike the Dog will work for a Preview Button!:


    I like the new Escape quite a bit. It has a very nice interior, more than enough power, and is as useful to suburban America as a Tahoe or Expedition will ever be. It began as a compact SUV, but it has gotten to be as large as the early Explorers, and has 90% of the current Explorer's usable space. It is by no means a compact SUV anymore.


    Whenever I take my car in for servicing, I usually rent an Escape for a day or two from the Enterprise Rental office down the street.

     Reply
    pauljones was starred pauljones was unstarred
    Image of Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face.
    03/30/09

    @pauljones: I guess I haven't seen any new Escapes up close. To my perception they're quite a bit smaller, but platform bloat and feature creep being what they are I shouldn't be surprised.
     Reply
    Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was starred Mike the Dog is sitting by the door with a pair of cow slippers, and a very sad face. was unstarred
    Image of pauljones pauljones
    03/30/09

    @Mike the Dog will work for a Preview Button!:


    The original Explorer started out at 174in(length) x 70in(width) x 65in(height), and has now grown to be be 193in x 73in x 72in


    The current Escape is 174in x 71in x 68in.


    The Explorer has had some serious model bloat. It will be interesting to see if the 2011 Explorer continues that trend.

     Reply
    pauljones was starred pauljones was unstarred
    Image of Dr. H. F. Danger Dr. H. F. Danger
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    U.G.L.Y.


    You ain't got no alibi

     Reply
    Dr. H. F. Danger was starred Dr. H. F. Danger was unstarred
    Image of pauljones pauljones
    03/30/09

    In reply to 2011 Ford Explorer To Be Built In Chicago, Taurus X-Based?
    So this leaves the Ford Escape...where?
     Reply
    pauljones was starred pauljones was unstarred
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