Boy, time sure does fly, at least in the automotive world. Last time I looked, it was the year 2000 but the 2002 Ford Explorer is already being introduced. Don't rush down to your local Ford dealer just yet; the 2002 Explorer will be available in early 2001 and several of its new features won't be available until later in 2001.

The Explorer is certainly one of Ford's cash cows. Since its introduction in 1990, as a 1991 model, it has led the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) market segment. You can be sure that Ford won't stray too far from what it considers a winning combination. For those of you considering a new SUV, the 2002 Explorer is familiar yet Ford has made quite a number of changes. It's bigger but only in width, by 2.5 inches, and has the same length and height. The wheelbase has been stretched by 2 inches which makes for more interior room.

	Contributed photot The 2002 Explorer

The new Explorer has a new independent rear suspension, allowing for an additional third-row seat, seven-passenger seating capability, larger door openings and lower step-in height. Adding to comfort is a new optional feature, adjustable pedals.

Listed below are the major new features of the Explorer:

• Improved Control Trac(tm) four-wheel-drive system with better off-road capability;
• New all-aluminum 240hp 4.6-liter SOHC V-8 engine joins the improved 210hp 4.0-liter SOHC V-6;
• New automatic and manual transmissions;
• New side-impact curtain air bag system (available from launch,) as well as rollover protection sensors (available later in 2001;)
• Lower front bumper helps ensure better SUV compatibility with other vehicles on the road;
• The second- and third-row seats fold down to create a flat-surfaced cargo area. Additional storage is located beneath the rear cargo floor; and
• A new rear liftglass, which has been designed to allow a liftover height that is virtually identical to that of a shopping cart. The liftglass section no longer needs a handle to open. It opens with a touch of a dedicated button on the key fob, while leaving the passenger doors locked.

Driving Dynamics

• Later in 2001, Explorer will offer flexible fuel capability with the standard 4.0-liter V-6 engine and automatic transmission. The Explorer flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) can operate on gasoline or a blend of gasoline and ethanol. Great for Archer Daniels & Midland;
• The standard receiver hitch, which is part of the rear frame, offers Class II towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds, depending on engine and drivetrain;
• Explorer is Ford's first SUV with new side-curtain air bags. They deploy from the headliner across approximately 75 percent of the side glass area to help protect first- and second-row occupants in the outboard seating positions during a side-impact collision;
• Electronic rollover sensors will be available later in 2001. They measure whether the vehicle is tilting, how fast the lean angle is changing and whether the combination means the vehicle might roll over. If a rollover situation is determined by the system, it deploys the side-curtain air bags to help prevent passengers from being ejected from the side of the vehicle. The air bags remain inflated for up to 6 seconds-far longer than conventional air bags; and
• AdvanceTrac(tm) interactive vehicle dynamics, (available later in 2001) a computer driven system that uses a series of sensors to measure whether the vehicle has begun to slide, then applies braking selectively to whichever wheel will bring it back under control.

Ford certainly has raised the bar with the Explorer, but like all SUV's, they couldn't get rid of the element of excess. SUV's are still heavy, dangerous to other vehicles on the road, use too much gas and don't handle well. But, as long as people want them, the carmakers will keep making them.

[Peter C. Sessler is the author of 25 books on cars, published by Motorbooks International, Tab Books, Smithmark Publishers, and HP Books. Some of his titles include "Ford Pickup Red Book," "Muscle Car Greats," and "Car Collector's Handbook." Publication is pending on his latest book, "Model Car Handbook," to be published by Scale Sports.]