5 stars: Ford Explorer plug-in hybrid receives maximum Euro NCAP rating
- Independent testing organization praises innovative components that
protect both the occupants and the plug-in hybrid battery - Extremely robust safety cell thanks to the „3D Roll and Sweep“ process
- Ford Explorer plug-in hybrid enables pure electric driving
Range of up to 48 kilometers - Ford's new top-of-the-range SUV, which is already available to order, is one of 14 electrified models that Ford will launch in Europe by the end of 2020.
The new Ford Explorer Plug-In Hybrid is the first electrified Ford model series in Europe to be tested according to the new, stringent Euro NCAP test procedure – and has now received the maximum five-star rating.
More specifically, the independent Euro NCAP organization rated adult passenger protection at 87 percent, child passenger protection at 86 percent, driver assistance systems at 76 percent, and pedestrian protection at 61 percent—all of which are top marks.
The high level of safety for drivers, passengers, and other road users is ensured by, among other things, ultra-high-strength steel components developed using Ford-patented processes, as well as sensor-based technologies that can prevent or at least mitigate collisions.
Robust and state-of-the-art
A manufacturing process called „3D Roll and Sweep,“ used for the first time in the automotive industry, enabled Ford to integrate ultra-high-strength steel beams into the A-pillars and roof section of the vehicle, creating an extremely robust safety cell.
The steel, which is hardened to such an extent that mounting holes have to be cut with lasers, is rolled into tubes. Thanks to the „3D roll and sweep“ process, these tubes achieve a tensile strength of 1,700 megapascals – making them proportionally stronger than the main cables of the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
Using a process patented by Ford, ultra-high-strength steel components are installed in the vehicle floor to provide additional protection for the occupants and the 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery.
The improved strength and rigidity achieved in this way contributed to the Ford Explorer Plug-in Hybrid achieving the maximum score for side impact protection.
Modern driver assistance systems such as Pre-Collision Assist with cyclist detection, Lane Departure Warning, and Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (iACC) also contributed to the state-of-the-art SUV's 5-star rating.
The Euro NCAP test report also shows that the standard emergency braking system (Pre-Collision Assist) performed exceptionally well, particularly at low speeds typical for city driving, where many whiplash injuries occur, preventing or mitigating collisions in every test scenario.
In addition, reverse brake assist technology is being introduced in Europe for the first time. This technology uses radar and ultrasonic sensors to detect objects behind the vehicle that are more than 28 cm high and 7.5 cm wide.
If necessary, if the person at the wheel does not respond to warning signals, the brakes are automatically activated to avoid an imminent collision when the vehicle is moving backwards at speeds between 1.5 km/h and 12 km/h.
Reverse Brake Assist brings the vehicle to a standstill for 1.5 seconds before returning full control to the driver. A 360-degree camera with split-view technology is also included as standard equipment.
The new Ford Explorer Plug-in Hybrid features an exceptionally spacious and comfortable interior with enhanced features. These include a 12.3-inch digital display in the instrument panel and the voice-activated Ford SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system with AppLink.
System output of the Ford Explorer plug-in hybrid: 336 kW (457 hp)
The new top model in Ford's European SUV family, measuring 5.05 meters long, 2.28 meters wide, and 1.78 meters high, impresses with advanced plug-in hybrid technology, seven seats, luxurious standard equipment, a modern 10-speed automatic transmission, Ford Intelligent Drive Assist (semi-automated driving assistance), and numerous driver assistance systems.
The new, sixth generation of America's best-selling SUV is now available to order in Germany exclusively with a plug-in hybrid drive and initially in the „ST-Line“ trim level. Retail price: from €74,000. The market launch is planned for March 2020. Another trim level will be added at a later date.
The combination of the 3.0-liter Ford EcoBoost V6 gasoline engine and an electric motor results in a system output of 336 kW (457 hp) and a maximum torque of 825 Newton meters (Nm).
The Ford Explorer has a top speed of 230 km/h and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds if required. This performance does not come at the expense of fuel consumption:
The new Ford Explorer EcoBoost plug-in hybrid, classified as Euro 6d-TEMP EVAP ISC, achieves a combined fuel consumption of 2.9 liters/100 km* with CO2 emissions* of 66 g/km*.
The EcoBoost plug-in hybrid drive delivers a pure electric range of 48 kilometers. This means that the new Ford Explorer can be driven locally in city centers without producing any emissions.
„With 14 new electrified models coming to market in Europe before the end of next year, and given that we expect more than half of our passenger car sales to be electrified vehicles by the end of 2022, Ford customers can be confident:
We will continue to deliver the best possible safety for all drive variants,“ says Jörg Beyer, Executive Director, Product Development, Ford of Europe.
* Fuel consumption of the Ford Explorer Plug-in Hybrid in l/100 km: 2.9 (combined); CO2 emissions (combined): 66 g/km**. CO2 efficiency class: A+.
** The values stated were determined using the prescribed measurement method (§ 2 Nos. 5, 6, 6a Pkw-EnVKV in the currently applicable version).
