This car is indisputably more pronounced than recent Ford models.
Ford recently unveiled the new fully electric Explorer, which combines technology from the Volkswagen ID4 with a striking American design. Car designer Niels van Roij takes a critical look at the model, which was drawn under the supervision of Dutchman Amko Leenarts. Is this new course change a wise move for Ford?
Ford Design went looking for a different concept and a new brand expression for the new batch of electric vehicles. The Explorer is the pioneer for this new Ford design language. With this fresh course, the brand goes back to its origins. The American roots are evident in the design of the Explorer, with its assertive, striking and bold proportions.
This car is indisputably more outspoken than recent Ford models, which in no way convey joie de vivre with their generic bodies, bland non-descript form palette and tame appearance. For example, the Focus has long since ceased to be the refreshing appearance that the first generation was, the Kuga is neither meat nor fish and the outgoing Fiesta is anything but a visual feast.
Ford Kuga.
The Explorer is the diametric opposite of that, without being overly expressive. The car has a strong, but not overly aggressive appearance – naturally inspired by Ford’s iconic American SUVs. Where traditional American SUVs have a large chrome grille, this car is boldly equipped with a ‘shield’ instead of a traditional grille. For the European consumer, the spirit of the classic Explorers has been exploited in a compact format.
Ford Explorer.
The headlights are shaped around this graphic expression. Their boomerang-shaped outline is linked centrally by a horizontal black band with the EXPLORER lettering. An accessibility and friendliness is evident throughout the design: the look from the headlights is robust, self-assured and stocky, but also amicable.
Ford Explorer.
On the back, a similar graphic has been applied for the rear lights, which are also connected by a black bar.
Ford Explorer.
This Explorer is proportionally excellent, with also pleasant proportions between all design elements. The consistent use of graphics, such as the shape of the headlights and taillights, the silver front and rear bumper insert and the beautiful interaction between the window elements and the C-pillar with decal, make the car look consistent and logical all around. The choice of 19 or 20-inch wheels are placed on the corners of the body and deserve extra attention. Undeniably, they aesthetically build on rougher, technical off-road wheels. They have a beautiful interaction between dark colored elements and diamond cut rim surfaces. They also offer a significant amount of closed exterior. This closedness has major aerodynamic advantages, which in turn is good for the range.
Ford Explorer.
The Explorer quickly and completely forgets about the Volkswagen ID4 base. Crystal clear proof that a talented design team, headed by a strategic design thinker, can apply an exactly the same technical basis with a completely different end result. Volkswagen engineering has never looked so good.