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 a purely electric
range of up to 48 kilometers - The new top SUV model from Ford, which is already available to order, is one of 14 electrified models that Ford will bring to market in Europe by the end of 2020
The new Ford Explorer Plug-In Hybrid is the first electrified Ford series in Europe to be tested according to the new, strict Euro NCAP test procedure - and has now received the maximum rating of five stars.
More precisely: the independent Euro NCAP organization rated the protection of adult vehicle occupants at 87 percent, there was a rating of 86 percent for child occupant protection, the driver assistance systems were rated at 76 percent and there was a rating of 61 percent for pedestrian protection - each Top marks.
The high level of safety for drivers, passengers and external road users is ensured by, among other things, ultra-high-strength steel components that were developed based on Ford-patented processes, as well as sensor-based technologies that can prevent or at least mitigate collisions.
Robust and ultra-modern
An automotive-first manufacturing process called “3D Roll and Sweep” allowed Ford to integrate ultra-high-strength steel beams into the vehicle's A-pillars and roof, creating a highly robust safety cell.
The steel, hardened so that mounting holes must be laser-cut, is rolled into tubes. Thanks to the “3D roll and sweep” process, the pipes in question 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 helped the Ford Explorer plug-in hybrid achieve maximum points in side impact protection.
Modern driver assistance systems such as the pre-collision assist including collision warning system with cyclist detection, the lane keeping assistant and the intelligent adaptive cruise control system (iACC) also contributed to the 5-star rating of the ultra-modern SUV.
The Euro NCAP test report also shows that the standard emergency braking system (Pre Collision Assist) performed excellently, especially at the low speeds typical of city driving, at which many whiplash injuries can occur, with collisions being avoided or mitigated in every test scenario.
In addition, the so-called Reverse Brake Assist technology is being introduced in Europe for the first time. Radar and ultrasonic sensors are used to detect objects behind the vehicle that are more than 28 cm high and 7.5 cm wide.
If necessary, if the person behind the wheel does not respond to warning signals, the brakes will automatically activate to avoid an imminent collision when the vehicle is reversing 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 the system returns full control to the driver. A 360-degree camera with “Split View” technology is also standard equipment.
The new Ford Explorer Plug-in Hybrid features an exceptionally spacious and comfortable interior with advanced features. These include the 12.3-inch digital display in the instrument panel as well as the voice-controlled communication and entertainment system Ford SYNC 3 with AppLink.
System performance of the Ford Explorer plug-in hybrid: 336 kW (457 hp)
The 5.05 meter long, 2.28 meter wide and 1.78 meter high new top model of Ford's European SUV family impresses with advanced plug-in hybrid technology, seven seats, luxurious standard equipment, a modern 10- Gear automatic transmission, Ford Intelligent Drive Assist (partially automated driving assistance) and numerous driver assistance systems.
The new, sixth generation of America's best-selling SUV can now only be ordered in Germany with a plug-in hybrid drive and initially in the “ST-Line” equipment version. Sales price: from 74,000 euros. The market launch is planned for March 2020. Another equipment version will be added at a later date.
The combination of the 3.0 liter Ford EcoBoost V6 petrol engine and an electric motor culminates in a system output of 336 kW (457 hp) and a maximum torque of 825 Newton meters (Nm).
The top speed of the Ford Explorer is 230 km/h, and acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h can be completed in 6.0 seconds if necessary. This performance does not come at the expense of consumption:
Classified according to Euro 6d-TEMP EVAP ISC, the new Ford Explorer EcoBoost plug-in hybrid achieves a combined consumption of 2.9 liters/100 km* with CO2 emissions* of 66 g/km*.
The EcoBoost plug-in hybrid drive delivers a purely electric range of 48 kilometers. This means that the new Ford Explorer runs locally emission-free in inner cities, for example.
“With 14 new electrified models launching 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 2022 be sure:
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 according to the prescribed measurement procedure (§ 2 Nos. 5, 6, 6a Pkw-EnVKV in the currently applicable version).
