27 $26,800 $22,195 4+ door, 5/6 pass., utility 4X4 longitudinal front engine/rear ¢ Price as tested * Base price Type Layout wheel drive/4 wheel drive Engine 4.0 fitre OHV V6 w/multi-port fuel injection and electronic engine controls 155 @ 4200 rpm 5 spd manual/4 spd auto overdrive P225/75R-15 all season radials 1,790 kg/3,937 lbs. 2,842 mm/111.9 in. 4,681 mm/184.3 in. 1,783 mm/70.2 in. 1,709 mm/67.3 in. rear seat up 1,206 1/42.6 cu.ft./ Horsepower Transmission Tires Curb weight Wheelbase Length Width Height Cargo space rear seat down 2,310 1/81.6 cu.ft. Fuel economy Warranty avg. 13.5 litres/100 km, 21 mpg Basic 1 yr/20,000 km. Powertrain 6 yrs/100,000 km. ROOMIER AND more powerful than the Bronco II which it replaces, the new Ford Explorer is a much more versatile vehicle. Available with wo wheel drive or four wheel drive, in) two or four door models, the Explorer can seat up to six people, “hich is unusual in a compact utility truck. The Explorer is so roomy it could be considered an alternative to a family sedan or even a mini- van. f was amazed at the amount of leg room in the back seat area, and could easily believe Ford's claims that the Explorer has more rear leg room) than) any other vehicle in this class. Compared to the two door Bronco TL (which was not avail able with) four doors), the four door Explorer is 22 inches longer. has an 18-inch longer wheelbase, and is (v0 inches wider. Four door utility vehicles are in such demand that a spokesman at Ford said he espects that 90) per cent of Explorers sold will be four door madels,. Around town and on the high- way, the Explorer has a comfort able ride, reasonably competent handling, and good resistimee to NEWS photos Neil Lucente FORD'S NEW Explorer replaces the smaller Bronco Il and is available with four doors or two doors, two wheel drive or four wheel drive. Power is supplied by a new 4.0 titre V6 engine with 155 horsepower. FORD EXPLORER New Explorer has room for the family 44/ was amazed at the amount of leg room in the back seat area and could easily believe Ford’s claims that the Explorer has the most leg room of any vehicle in its class.99 side winds, But the handling is not as smooth and sure-feoted as a car and prospective buyers should not expect it to be. This is still a truck. During a test drive on an off- road track, | was pressed at the solid) feel of the suspension and the Jack of squeaks and groans, Yhe Evsplorer is) a) well-balanced and controllable off-road vehicle with plenty of power and 6.3 in- ches of axle clewranee. fully load- ed, My test four Esplorer had a specd automatic transmission with a column shift. This arrangement allows three people to sit ins the front Owithout getting heir legs caught up in the floor shifter) when the optional split front bench seat ts ordered. Fold the rear G0°400 split seat forwards and you'se got oa very useful six-foot long flat curgo bed, enough for fve people to bed down overnight on camping trips. A two-way rear cargo door lifts up from bumper level for loading, or the glass rear window itself can be raised. Greg Wilson TEST DRIVE Though not the biggest or most powerful engine iit its Ford's new 4.0 ditre V6 envine of- fers sufficient power (ESS horse- power) and torque for a vehicke: of this size and weight. Properly vlass, equipped, the Explorer can tow 5,700 Ibs. To engaze or disengage Four wheel drive High ‘on the fly’, the driver simply pushes a button conveniently located on the upper dash area. Four wheel drive Low can abo be engaged ‘on the fly’, at stower speeds by pushing a but- ton, but to disengage it, it iy nec- essary ota ostop and pur the transmission in neutral first. The Explorer offers rear anti- lock brakes for added braking safety, but it should be remembered these work in) two wheel drive only. The Exptoree has numerous ex- amples of thoughtful engineering. While most utility vehicles have a spare tire mounted awkwardly on the back tailgate or one that takes up space inside the cargo area, the Explorer's full-size spare tire. is stored under the rete cargo floor and can be lowered with a crank mechanism. ICs about time! Designated as a l99t model, suggested retail prices for Explor- ers range from SIS8,895) for the two door/2WD model, to $22,195 jor the four door/aWwdD, — plits PDI, freight, taxes and options. The Ford Lavptorer can he seen focally at Dave Buck Ford in North Lancouser.