NORTH SHORE NEWS AUTOMOTIVE GUIDE rt Trac blends pickup with SUV | THE new Ford. Explorer Sport Trac is one of a new generation of hybrid SUV /pickup trucks that offers the comfort and roominess - of a five-passenger cabin and the practicality of an open cargo box. _ _ You can transport five peo- ple in the comfort of its mid- sized passenger cabin and haul cargo that may be wet, dirty or messy, including bikes, ATV’s, skis, snowboards, hockey equipment, beach gear, camping equipment, firewood, gardening supplies, gravel, and other best carried outside rather than inside. This dual character makes the Sport Tree, end oon uur-door pickups, appcalin to families with ecreational” and practical hauling ineeds. It’s kind of like having two vehicles in one. : However, like all hybrids, some compromises were NEWS photo Mike Wakefield THE 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac is based on a stretched Explorer SUV chassis, and has a standard five-passenger interior and a 50-inch (1.27 m) cargo box. Unique features include a rust-proof plastic cargo box, power rear window, a removeable cooler, and folding rear seatbacks. Test drive the Sport Trac inevitable in its design. The Sport Trac’s 50-inch (1.27 m) bed is shorter then even a short-box pickup truck, yet the Sport Trac’s overall length is 17 inches (432 mm)longer - than an Explorer four-door, making it more difficult to . manoeuvre and park. Whether the Sport Trac’s disadvantages outweigh its advan- tages may depend on your lifestyle, according to Ford. Owners have active lifestyles Ford expects Sport Trac buyers to be one of three types: ¢ rent SUV owners who occasionally need more cargo room; pick- up truck owners who want more interior space; and lastly (and rather strangely) sports car owners seeking a vehicle to set them apart from everything else on the road. Tim Quesnel, Ford of Canada’s SUV brand manager explains that the Sport Trac is ideal for the daily commute or a uip to the ski hill. “Explorer _ Sport Trac is perfect for people who want the ability to switch seamlessly from outdoors adventure to everyday transportation needs like commuting or tips to the supermarket.” Based on Explorer SUV Based on the current four-door Explorer sport-utility vehicle, the Sport Trac shares about 80% of its parts. The Sport Trac’s = HE VOLVO $70 SE.. ee JIM PATTISON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP at Dave Buck Ford, 879 Marine Drive, N.V. frame has been lengthened by 362 mm (14.3 in.) and made 40% stiffer. In addition, the Sport Trac’s shocks and springs are tuned differently, and the brakes are larger. Its additional frame stiffness was achieved by adding several new tubular cross members, additional longitudinal gussets, and thicker side rail frames. Also, the Sport Trac uses all-new ure- thane body mounts instead of solid rubber ones, te reduce road and engine vibrations. Plastic cargo box One of the Sport Trac’s most interesting features is a plastic (sheet moulding composite) cargo box, which is rust-free, 20% lighter than a steel box, and according to Ford, “virtually inde- structible.” The box is 4 feet 2 inches long and 4 feet 5 inches wide, and has six large hooks on the top of the cargo box walls and four tie-down hooks inside the bed, cach of which can hold 317 kg (700 Ib.). A removeable divider enables the box to be divided into two separate fore and aft sections. The box also has When you buy or lease the Volvo $70 SE “lo LEASE? 3 an external 12-volt power outlet. In addition, an optional lock- able hard tonneau cover is available to keep the contents dry and secure. A useful option is a rear bed extender called a Cargo Keeper. When the tailgate is lowered, the bed extender flips over and locks in place on the tailgate, extending the bed by 1 feet 10 inches to nearly six feet. The only problem with the extender is that when not in use, it takes up space in the cargo box. In addi- tion, [ wonder what would happen if someone ran into the back of the truck with the tailgate open and the bed extender down? The open tailgate extends beyond the legal bumper position. © Other unique Sport Trac features include a special roof rack with a 100-Ib. load capacity, an optional step-up bar that runs the length of the cab, protective plastic body moulding on the body sides and lower front bumper, and two oversized tow hooks in the front bumper. See Interior page 36 SO FOUNDED IN THE VOLVO TRADITION, YOU CAN SAFELY SKIP THE FIRST TWO PAYMENTS you will come to appreciate its newest feature. There is no need to make your first two payments. 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