Qualifications Required for Access to Electrified Model
The recently updated 2025 Ford Explorer has been unveiled, and as part of their effort to streamline the available trims, Ford has removed the budget-friendly Explorer Hybrid – well, almost. For the average consumer looking to purchase an Explorer, there are now only two options: a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder or a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6. However, after a conversation with Explorer Chief Program Engineer Kelly Clark, CarBuzz discovered that there is still one way to obtain an Explorer with the 3.3-liter V6 hybrid configuration – by being a police department.
Although the consumer version of the Explorer will no longer have an electrified powertrain, the Ford Police Interceptor, which is based on the Explorer, will continue to offer this option. As Clark stated, “The 2.3- and 3.0-liter had the highest take rate.” However, the hybrid remains highly valued by our police, Ford Pro, and first responder customers.
According to the spokesperson, “When we examined our entire collection of brands and brought in each and every one of our propulsion units, we made the decision to prioritize our hybrid for the customer who desires it the most, which is Ford Pro.”
Let us not forget that the Explorer Hybrid boasts a V6 engine and electric motors, which work together to generate a total of 318 horsepower. This surpasses the power output of the four-cylinder at 300 hp, but falls short compared to the twin-turbo V6 at 400 hp. The biggest advantage of the Hybrid is its impressive fuel efficiency rating of up to 27 mpg combined average, outdoing all other versions of the Explorer. This is particularly advantageous for police departments with numerous vehicles in operation, as even a minor increase in fuel efficiency can result in thousands of dollars saved annually on fuel costs.
It is a well-known fact that police departments have access to special engines that are not available to the public. As one article states, “Police getting a ‘secret’ engine offering that is not available to the public is nothing new.” This has been a common practice for years, with Dodge being one of the main providers of these exclusive engines.In particular, Dodge has only offered a 5.7-liter V8 Charger with all-wheel-drive as a police car. This means that law enforcement agencies have the advantage of a more powerful and efficient engine, giving them an edge in pursuit and patrol situations. This “secret” engine option is not something that the general public can purchase, making it a valuable asset for police departments.While some may argue that this gives police an unfair advantage, it is important to remember that these specialized engines are necessary for their demanding job. Police officers are often required to respond quickly to emergencies and navigate through various terrains, and having a high-performance engine can be crucial in these situations.Furthermore, these exclusive engines are designed specifically for police use, with features such as increased durability and improved cooling systems. This ensures that the vehicles can withstand the rigorous demands of law enforcement work and can operate efficiently for extended periods of time.In conclusion, the
According to Ford, the output figures for the two consumer-grade engines have remained unchanged from last year. However, there have been significant updates made to the base 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. As stated by Ford spokesperson Clark to CarBuzz, the engine has undergone some tweaking based on lessons learned from the Mustang and other programs. He further explains that while the important aspects for customers, such as horsepower and fuel economy, will remain the same, there have been improvements made internally in terms of efficiency and development processes. This has been referred to as “Gen 4” within the company.
While the three-row crossover may not match the sheer power of a Mustang, customers can find solace in its similarity.
