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According to Ford, 1 in 5 Explorer Sport buyers in 2013 were coming from luxury brands like Mercedes and BMW.
In order to maybe change that rate from 1 in 5 to 2 or 3 in 5, Ford is adding a Platinum Series trim when the 2016 Explorer debuts in summer of 2015.
The word “platinum” has tangible and theoretic applications for the ’16 Explorer; the rear applique, mirror caps, door handles and roof rails all get a platinum-esque finish (as does the Ford logo on the steering wheel; that’s the first time we ever seen it finished in something other than blue), the interior trim is finished in real metal and the new grille trades in the old model’s shout black or body-coloured affair for a Range Rover-like silver finish. Oh, the standard 20-inch wheels get a two-tone black/silver finish, too.
Inside, you’ll also find the softest leather ever used in a Ford production model, real-wood inserts to go with the metal and a new digital gauge display. The 500-watt audio system, meanwhile, gets Sony Live Acoustics tech normally used in home audio systems.
In the driving aid department, there are 180-degree cameras both front and back, each one with its own washers system, which is oh-so-necessary for Canadian climes.
Of course, all this tech adds weight, meaning you’ll want adequate power to hustle everything along.
In that light, the 3.5L EcoBoost turbo V6 from last year returns as the only engine available on the Platinum. It packs a 365-hp punch, eclipsing figures made by the likes of the Cadillac Escalade or Dodge Durango Citadel, vehicles that are both powered by thirstier V8 engines. Standard intelligent AWD, meanwhile, comes as standard.
The Explorer Platinum gets a $57,999 MSRP when it makes it to dealers next summer.
Images 2016 Ford Explorer
