2012 Ford Explorer to Get Turbo 4-Cylinder

It is a sign of how expensive petrol is getting in the US, when Ford is putting a turbocharged, four-cylinder in its Explorer full-size SUV, but the big truck might not be too sluggish because torque is actually up over the V6. 

From 2012, the Explorer will have an optional 2.0l, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which Ford refers to as Ecoboost. These Ecoboost engines are already found on several Ford models in the US, and Ford promises that it will be found on 90% of its models by 2013. 

The engine in the Explorer makes 240hp and 270lb.-ft of torque. That is down 43hp over the 3.5l V6 currently in the Explorer, but it is up 18lb.-ft of torque. 

The new engine gives the Explorer class leading fuel efficiency. It gets 28mpg on the highway, which is better than all of the other SUVs in its class, according to Ford, and  actually has better highway efficiency than a Subaru Impreza and the same as a BMW 328i. 

To further improve efficiency, the Ecoboost Explorer comes with a unique transmission that was developed to reduce friction, electric power steering and a low-friction air conditioning compressor.

Ford did not announce the price that the Ecoboost will tack onto the Explorer that has a base price of $29,185.