FORD EXPLORERTiming chain or Belt?

The Ford Explorer is an off-road SUV (E-segment in Europe) manufactured by Ford Motor Company. This model was first introduced in 1991 as a replacement for the two-door Bronco II and has since evolved into a four-door SUV. It is currently positioned between the Ford Edge and the Ford Expedition.

The first generation Ford Explorer was introduced in 1990. It shared a similar appearance with the Ford Ranger, but was designed to be a family vehicle with off-road capabilities. The model lineup was expanded to include a five-door body style to compete against the Jeep Cherokee and Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. All of these models used Cologne V6 engines.

The second generation Ford Explorer went on sale in 1995 with an updated exterior design. The model line continued to feature rear-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options. In order to compete against the Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 4.9-liter V8 engine was introduced as an option. The Mercury Mountaineer and Lincoln Aviator would also be created from this model.

The third generation Ford Explorer was introduced in 2002. It was a major overhaul of the previous generation. It was designed from the ground up as an SUV with the main objective of making it more competitive both domestically and internationally. This model was compared with the Lexus RX 300 and the Volkswagen Touareg.

In 2006, Ford updated its Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer models with a new chassis produced by Magna International. For this fourth generation, interiors were redesigned and safety improvements were added. The standard engine was a 210 hp 4.0-liter 12-valve V6, while the optional engine was a 292 hp 4.6-liter 24-valve V8, similar to the engine in the fifth-generation Ford Mustang.

The fifth generation Ford Explorer was introduced in 2011 and marked a change in its design. The Ford Explorer became a crossover SUV based on the D4 platform. It had a unibody structure and was different from the traditional SUV.

The sixth generation of the Ford Explorer was officially introduced in 2019. This model is built on a new CD6 platform based on rear-wheel drive, which it shares with the Lincoln Aviator. The standard engine of the new Explorer is a 2.3 L EcoBoost turbocharged inline four-cylinder. An optional twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 is also available.

Regarding hybrid powertrains, a V6 version with a 1.5 kWh battery is marketed in the United States. In Europe, there is a plug-in hybrid version that includes a 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine together with a 100 hp electric motor and a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery for a combined output of 450 hp. The 2020 Explorer was introduced in four trim finishes: XLT, Limited, ST and Platinum.