The Ford Explorer is the literal definition of a Sport Utility Vehicle, and it remains one of Ford’s most popular platforms for its versatility both on road and off. Sure, it might not conquer Dakar in stock form, but enthusiasts across the country have come up with endlessly creative ways to put both its Sport and Utility to great use. Their creations will be on display at the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas in a few short weeks, giving the ever-versatile Explorer even more depth.
First up comes a tasty burnt orange All Star Performance Explorer sporting a bigger intercooler for the EcoBoost engine, as well as a 2.5 inch lift-kit and 29-inch Toyo off-road tires. Ford bills the All Star Performance concept as “the ultimate road trip vehicle no matter the destination” with the Thule roof rack and compliment of LED light bars rounding out the modifications.
From burnt orange we go to brilliant orange with “Project Wanderlust”, a decidedly sportier take on the original SUV that includes a new exhaust, lowering springs, and engine management software to make sure you get where you’re going quickly. Lowering springs bring Wanderlust closer to the earth. Bigger brakes and carbon fiber body bits round out what Wanderlust brings to the table for SEMA 2015.
Up next is the black-and-white MAD Industries Explorer Sport that “embraces today’s urban lifestyle” by lowering, rather than raising the SUV (somebody never had to deal with New York City potholes). The flashy 24-inch Alpine wheels are wrapped in low-profile Toyo rubber and accented by carbon fiber fender flares, while 15-inch Wilwood brakes provide pomp and stopping power. Performance modifications are limited to a Gibson cat-back exhaust and a K&N air intake, allowing this Explorer to really embrace the low-speed “urban” lifestyle.
Last but not least is the “not” Mellow Yellow Explorer Concept that comes equipped most prominently with an impossible-to-ignore PPG yellow paintjob. Throaty Flowmaster exhaust gives it a burlier sound, Eibach lowering springs drop things down to street level, and it rides on B-Forged 20-inch modular wheels that perfectly fill the flared fenders.
Four Ford Explorers, four very different takes on the original SUV. Which one suits your fancy the most?