Yahoo Autos European-spec 2023 Ford Explorer is an EV with Volkswagen bones
Ford enlisted the help of Volkswagen and repurposed a familiar nameplate to plant its stake in Europe's electric crossover segment. Built on the MEB platform, the European-market Explorer is an electric, city-friendly model that shares nothing but a name with the SUV sold here.
Let's address the elephant in the room: the model pictured in our gallery is not a replacement for the American-market Explorer, and Ford confirmed to Autoblog that it will not be sold in the United States. "The new electric Explorer is the European interpretation of an electric Explorer — made in Europe for Europe," a spokesperson told us. That's not a "maybe," a "we'll see," or a "who knows?" It's a "no."
Visually, the Explorer's front end is characterized by a grille-less design and an "EXPLORER"-branded piece of trim flanked by thin lights. It rides on a relatively long wheelbase, while its rear bumper features a piece of trim shaped like the one embedded into the front bumper. Full technical specifications haven't been released but Ford notes the crossover stretches roughly 177 inches from bumper to bumper. In comparison, the American-market Explorer (which is available in some European nations) measures approximately 199 inches long.
Step inside and you'll find space for five passengers on two rows of seats. The driver faces a digital instrument cluster, while the dashboard is dominated by a height-adjustable, 15-inch touchscreen that displays the infotainment system and hides a storage compartment. Ford also included some cool features, such as a massive center console capable of holding a 15-inch laptop and a futuristic-looking sound bar positioned on top of the dashboard. Numerous electronic driving aids, including Assisted Lane Change, will be offered as well.
