TURBOCHARGED ENGINES

At a Glance: 2020 Ford Explorer

January 10, 2019 by admin

What’s old or time-honored is new again. The 2020 Ford Explorer is the latest version of Ford’s most popular SUV, an all-new model that builds on the success of the 8 million copies sold to date.

This week, at Ford Field in Detroit, Ford officially unveiled its next-generation Explorer, with thousands of Ford employees, industry leaders, community officials and a press pool in attendance.

Arriving in summer 2019, the 2020 Explorer sits on an all-new platform and features a more rigid body and updated turbocharged engine choices. This SUV’s debut occurs just days ahead of the official start of the North American International Auto Show, the final time it will be held during the winter. Starting in 2020, the Detroit auto show switches to a June format.

Highlights of the 2020 Ford Explorer

1. Supported by a new rear-wheel-drive platform. Most utility vehicles sit on a front-wheel-drive platform, with optional four-wheel drive. That’s been the case with the 2011-2019 Ford Explorer, which switched from its previous truck-based architecture to unibody construction. The 2020 Explorer still features a unibody design, but this time Ford offers standard rear-wheel drive with available four-wheel drive. Ford is following Land Rover and the Jeep Grand Cherokee in that department, hoping to capitalize on its more athletic appearance and increased capability to set it apart in a highly competitive segment.

2020 Ford Explorer

2. Enhanced by up to seven selectable drive modes. Ford’s available Terrain Management System, found on all models, features as many as seven drive modes for the choosing. All rear-wheel-drive models come with normal, sport, trail, slippery, tow/haul, and eco settings. Models equipped with four-wheel drive add deep snow and sand modes, with each designed for improved off-road performance.

3. Powered by one of two engine choices. Ford will offer a pair of engine choices with its new model. Gone is the previous 3.5-liter V6, which was offered in naturally aspirated and twin-turbocharged versions. The new engines are both turbocharged and they sport the company’s internal “EcoBoost” label. Standard with all trims, except the top-trim Platinum is a turbocharged 2.3-liter engine, which Ford expects will deliver 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. Those numbers match what some V6 engines deliver. New to the Explorer line is a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine. When fueled with premium gasoline, this one will deliver 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. Both engines work with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

4. Improved towing capabilities present. Towing and utility vehicles go hand in glove. The previous base engine with trailer package was capped out at 3,000 pounds, but now can tow up to 5,300 pounds. As for the V6, its towing capacity was raised by 600 pounds to 5,600 pounds, which is ahead of most competitors.

5. Designed with families in mind. As you might guess, utility vehicles are popular with families. The 2020 Explorer features several changes with youngsters in mind, including a tougher center console design, which now handles more weight — in the event children decide to climb on it. Other improvements include square cup-holders for juice boxes, increased overall storage space, and a reversible rear cargo floor with rubber covering one side — ideal for holding cleats after sports practice and for cleaning later. Ford says the second row has more head and hip room. The second-row seat also includes a mechanism for ease of access to the third row — just one hand is needed to flip the seat forward.

2020 Ford Explorer

6. Refined safety technologies at your disposal. No utility vehicle or any new model for that matter is lacking in technology offerings. We expect them. No, we demand them! The 2020 Explorer doesn’t disappoint, as it comes with a suite of driver-assist technologies under the Ford Co-Pilot360 umbrella. These include: pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, and dynamic brake support. You’ll also find a blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert, a lane-keeping system, a rearview camera with a built-in lens cleaner, and automatic headlamps with automatic high beams.

7. Advanced audio and other technologies. All Explorer models have SYNC3, which is Ford’s most advanced tech interface. This system includes Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto smartphone capabilities and Waze navigation. Also available is a 12.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster and an available 14-speaker, 980-watt B&O premium audio system. Other features include 4G LTE Wi-Fi for connecting up to 10 devices with an available wireless subscription, a wireless charging pad, four USB ports, three 12-volt outlets, and a 110-volt power outlet.

2020 Ford Explorer SUV

Ford says that the 2020 Explorer will start at $33,860. It will come in XLT, Limited, ST and Platinum trims. A hybrid version will follow. Other pricing information and product details will roll out ahead of this model’s release date. Like the current model, the new Explorer will be built at the Chicago Assembly Plant in Illinois.

This model’s competitive set includes the Chevrolet Traverse, Mazda CX-9, Dodge Durango, Nissan Pathfinder, GMC Acadia, Toyota Highlander, Buick Enclave, Honda Pilot, Volkswagen Atlas, Subaru Ascent, Kia Sorento, and the Hyundai Santa Fe XL. The two latter models will soon be replaced by the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, respectively.

2020 Ford Explorer

Audi A6, A7 Revealed Ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show

November 14, 2014 by admin 2 Comments

First look at two refreshed Audi models.

There once was a time that car manufacturers would keep new product tightly under wraps until a big reveal such as at an important auto show. In recent years, manufacturers have been sending teaser shots out and in some cases revealing full products ahead of these shows.

Credit or blame the Internet with the change as anticipated news stories are often leaked anyway. As for German luxury make Audi, that means showing new 2016 A6 and A7 models a week ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show where both models will formally be introduced next week.

New Designs, Technologies and More Powerful Engines

Both models will receive upgraded designs, new technologies and more powerful engines beginning with the 2016 model year. The refresh brings in what Audi says is an “athletic, taut design” supplemented by new headlights, infotainment systems as well as higher levels of luxury and refinement.

The 2016 A6 and A7 model lines will continue to drive our momentum in the upper-premium market by elevating the standard for vehicle technology,” said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. “These cars represent the perfect balance of beautiful design, efficiency and performance.”

Both sedans will receive new front and rear designs, including new LED headlights, a single frame grille and bumpers. To the rear LED taillights and new trapezoidal tailpipes will be present.

Inside, the sedans will have a broader selection of design combinations. For example, a new Arras red design choice brings in carbon fiber inserts and red-threaded stitching within. Ventilated seats with massage functionality is also new.

Turbocharged Gasoline and Diesel Engines

Under the hood, the Audi A6 will continue to offer a pair of turbocharged gasoline engines displacing at 2.0 and 3.0 liters each. A 3.0-liter turbodiesel engine returns.

The new base engine is rated at 252 horsepower and 273 foot-pounds of torque. It is available in front-wheel-drive with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. An eight-speed automatic Tiptronic transmission is standard with the quattro edition.

The turbocharged V-6 gasoline engine is now rated at 333 horsepower and 325 foot-pounds of torque and paired with the Tiptronic transmission. The turbocharged diesel will make 240 horsepower and 428 foot-pounds of torque. It, too, is paired with a Tiptronic transmission.

Audi S6, S7 and RS 7 Variants

For 2016, The Audi S6 will return making 450 horsepower and 406 foot-pounds torque. Permanent all-wheel drive is standard. The Audi S6, as well as the S7, will also offer an available sport exhaust system with black oval tailpipes.

Choose the Audi A7 and both gasoline and diesel engines displacing at 3.0 liters will be available. An RS 7 variant will also be sold, making a whopping 560 horsepower and 516 foot-pounds of torque.

Both sedans will now incorporate start-stop technologies. The Audi A7 will also receive LED headlights; both models will offer various safety technologies including Audi Side Assist, Active Lane Assist and Secondary Collision Assist. Improvements have also been made to the available night vision system and to the head-up display.

Internet Connection and Wi-Fi Hotspot

Audi will also upgrade its infotainment package to include Internet access by means of 4G LTE and integrated hot spot, allowing for as many as eight devices to connect simultaneously. Internet radio streaming, online traffic information, and Siri Eyes Free integration are among the other improvements made.

Audi will debut both models at the Los Angeles Convention Center at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The Audi TT will also makes its US debut at the auto show.

See Also — 2014 Audi A6: Surprised by Four

Photos courtesy of Audi of America.

Turbocharged Engines & Premium Fuel

March 10, 2010 by admin 1 Comment

Many of today’s automotive engines are complex, as they incorporate sophisticated technologies such as direct injection and turbochargers to squeeze more power and deliver better fuel efficiency from a smaller engine. Your engine may “prefer” premium fuel in order to run efficiently, but in some cases, premium fuel may be a manufacturer’s requirement.

Octane Choices

Regular or Premium? Generally, two grades of unleaded fuel are sold across the US: regular and unleaded. Regular typically produces 86 or 87 octane, while premium typically delivers 91 to 93 octane. Some gas stations sell a mid-grade blend returning 89 octane, while a few stations sell a super premium octane blend above 93 octane.

Cost Differential

Premium gas also carries with it a premium price, usually costing twenty-five to fifty cents more than regular grade gas. That said, letting cost alone determine the best grade of gas for your car is a mistake.

Fuel Performance

The higher the octane, the more efficient some engines run. Most late model cars can run on regular fuel just fine, but a loss of performance versus premium fuel is often the case. You’ll notice a difference when going from zero to sixty as your time may be off by several tenths of a second when using a lower grade.

Engine Knock

Late model cars come equipped with knock sensors to eliminate engine knock. If your engine knocks, a higher grade of gas may be needed otherwise damage could set in. Pinging and knocking should always be taken seriously.

Manufacturer Guidance

Regardless of what anyone says, follow your manufacturer’s requirements when it comes to fueling your car. If your owner’s manual says that premium fuel is required, then only use that fuel. If it says that it is recommended, then you can use a lower grade.

Again, the difference here is between what is required and what is recommended—read your owner’s manual carefully because you don’t want to do something wrong by damaging your engine and perhaps voiding your warranty!

Reference

Edmunds.com: Do You Really Need Premium?

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