A special economic zone near the "county town" Yelabuga appeared in 2006. The future of the joint venture, and at that time the automotive company Severstal-Avto LLC, became its first resident: production was launched in 2007. Investors were attracted by zero property, land, and transport taxes, low ($1,100 per hectare) land value, free electricity connections, and low income taxes in the early years of the venture.
Ford cars have been produced in Yelabuga since January 2012. Five models settled here at once. The SKD method is used to make Ford Kuga, S-Max, Galaxy and Transit. And the SUV Explorer became the third Ford in Russia assembled in a full cycle (Focus and Mondeo have long been fully assembled in Vsevolzhsk). The convenience of working in a free economic zone is obvious, and Ted Cannis, CEO of Ford Sollers JV, who has been with the company for 13 years and worked for Ford in several countries, says that this is the fastest launch he has ever seen. By the way, about $100 million was spent on production lines for Explorer in Yelabuga.
However, it is difficult to call what is being done in Yelabuga a complete assembly. For example, there is still no stamping here. The panels come ready-made, here they are only welded, painted, and the rest of the units are put on the resulting body. However, it is impossible not to admit: even the described list of works is very impressive.
The welding process of the Explorer body takes about 9 hours. A new set is supplied here every 10 minutes, in total there are 55 welding stations at the enterprise. By the way, it’s not robots that cook, as in many other Russian-foreign industries (Hyundai in St. Petersburg, VW in Kaluga), but people with special devices that look either like burning machines or stun guns, enlarged to absurdly gigantic sizes.
Mistakes in manual welding are, of course, inevitable. To reduce their number, a special body geometry measurement laboratory is kept here. Equipment produced by Zeiss analyzes 800 points. The permissible deviation from the norm is 1.5 mm. True, the laboratory is able to analyze only two bodies per shift, so the check, of course, is selective. The plant intends to produce up to 10,000 Ford Explorers a year - the exact figure will depend on market demands, in 2012, for example, which requested a little over 2,000 Ford Explorers.
We go further, to see how various units are installed in the body. The engine is put here already assembled - there is no talk of assembling the machine to the screws, after all, there are features of a SKD assembly here. The "guide" - the head of the welding shop Nadil Yusupov - boasts that all information about what is happening on the conveyor is contained in the QLS electronic system. Say, even a future buyer, when accessing the system, will be able to find out by the vin number what happened to the car and at what stage.
The most interesting thing happens already outside the assembly line. Each Ford Explorer makes 5 laps on a dedicated test track. Here they do not accelerate to 200 km / h (why doubt the abilities of the motor?), But they reveal noises and squeaks. They do this on a canopy-covered test circle covered with a variety of obstacles, from cobblestones to large hanging plates and a washboard. The tester drives at strictly prescribed speeds - where 20, where 40 km / h - and listens carefully. Yes, in five laps even a deaf person will figure it out ...
Absolutely every Ford car passes such a test, and not only the Explorer in Yelabuga. In total, with the test and intra-production hauls, the car can roll up to 40-50 kilometers before selling. Dealers, says the specialist, have the opportunity and the right to twist the escape, if it does not exceed 200 km. Optionally, the machines are "pulled out" for a longer time in order to be tested in everyday conditions. In this case, when buying, the client finds in his car an appropriate document certifying that the mileage appeared not just like that, but for production needs.
I would not like to find one, becoming the owner of the new Ford Explorer in the Sport version! Its main feature is the EcoBoost V6 engine with a capacity of 360 hp. With. with retuned power steering and other, sportier suspension springs, in general, such a machine should be very pleasant to drive, and “selectively test” too. This Explorer is the new top-of-the-line version of the model and has pushed the Limited Plus version into the background. Such a car costs 2 million 158 thousand rubles, from the chips - the Blis dead zone monitoring system, 10 adjustments for the driver and front passenger seats ...
The very first generation of the American SUV Ford Explorer was released in 1990. At that time, the car was already offered in five trim levels: Sport, XL, XLT, Limited and Eddie Bauer. These were five- and seven-door comfortable cars. Five years later, the manufacturer restyled this SUV. The changes were dramatic, since the exterior, interior and body of the "American" fell under the modernization. Today, this car model is recognized and bought in every corner of the world. And now about where the Ford Explorer is assembled and whether the owners are satisfied with the quality of this car.
Initially, an SUV was put on the domestic market directly from America, where it was assembled in Chicago at the Ford enterprise. But, in 2012, a new Ford Sollers enterprise was opened in Tatarstan in the city of Elabuga. This car model is still produced here for the Russian market to this day. The plant has a full cycle of assembling an SUV. Each car produced by the enterprise is sold exclusively in Russia, the car is not sent for export.
On the Russian market, buyers have access to two complete sets of cars with three options for power plants:
- 360 strong engine
- V6 3.5-liter engine (294 horsepower).
In addition to this SUV, the Tatarstan enterprise also produces other car models: Transit, Kuga, Galaxy and S-Max.
Ford Explorer II
The Americans presented the second generation of the model to the world in Detroit at the motor show back in 2001. American engineers managed to reduce fuel consumption on a car and equipped an SUV with a six-speed automatic gearbox. The car was offered with all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. The second generation Ford Explorer has five driving modes that depend on operating conditions (city driving, snow, sand, rain, mountainous terrain). The fact where the Ford Explorer is produced significantly affects the quality, reliability and service life of the vehicle.
The owner of such a car can set it up on his own, you can change the settings of the gas pedal, gearbox, brakes, drive, ABS system, etc. The SUV can be accelerated to the first hundred kilometers in 7.9 seconds, and the maximum speed of the "American" is 230 km / h. For Russian buyers today, only two of the five trim levels are available: XLT and Limited. Both cars are equipped with a three and a half-liter all-wheel drive engine that produces 294 horsepower. The basic equipment of the SUV includes:
- air conditioner
- fog lights
- stabilization system
- rear parking sensors
- six airbags for safety.
Auto Ford Explorer Limited has richer equipment:
- climate control
- Rear View Camera
- interior with leather trim
- panoramic roof
- power trunk and doors
- seat heating function.
Features of the new SUV
The design of the car has not changed globally, the manufacturer simply corrected some features of the car, and quite safely. The front of the car is decorated with powerful optics, a branded radiator grille, active blinds, powerful plastic protection and various aerodynamic elements. The company in Elabuga, where the Ford Explorer is produced, also adheres to this technology for the production of a car. Externally, the cars are identical.
Engineers did not change the powerful body and side doors, but they put interesting rear-view mirrors on the car. The dimensions of the new Ford Explorer 2015-2016 are as follows:
- wide - 2231 millimeters
- in length - 5006 millimeters
- in height - 1803 millimeters
- ground clearance - 211 millimeters
- wheelbase - 2860 mm
Also, there are no major changes to the interior of the car. A new steering wheel was simply installed in the cabin, and new decorative details appeared on the dashboard. The manufacturer has improved the acoustics inside the cabin and decorated the center console. If we talk about the interior of an American SUV, then it can be characterized by such words as comfort, modernity, quality, brightness.
The luggage compartment of the car is six hundred liters. When folding the third row of seats, you can increase it to 1240 liters. The base engine for the new "American" will be a 2.3-liter four-cylinder unit with a turbine (270 hp). Also, the SUV will be equipped with a 3.5-liter aspirated (290 horses). A 16-cylinder 3.5-liter (365 hp) will be the top in the line. How much the new Explorer will cost is unknown.
➖ Dynamics
➖ Ergonomics
➖ Light
pros
➕ Manageability
➕ Patency
➕ Spacious interior
➕ Roomy trunk
The advantages and disadvantages of the 2018-2019 Ford Explorer in a new body are identified based on feedback from real owners. More detailed pros and cons of the 5th generation Ford Explorer with automatic and 4x4 all-wheel drive can be found in the stories below:
Owner reviews
At speeds up to 180 km / h, the new Ford Explorer 5 behaves perfectly. More - it starts to be a little self-willed. But I think the tires are to blame. Still subjectively rather weak brakes.
The car is out of order. Which has a positive effect on the cost of insurance and peace of mind for what you will find where you left it. In general, full compliance with expectations.
Among the shortcomings of the model, I note the following:
1. Lack of xenon as an entity.
2. The sound of the standard speaker system, which seemed normal on test drives, is in fact rather weak.
3. Uncomfortable position of the platform for the left leg (the wing sticks out).
4. The steering column is adjusted mechanically, so the position for different drivers is not remembered.
5. In the position of forced switching on of the head lighting, with the ignition key removed, the dimensions remain lit.
6. The ignition key is a song. Like a giguley. It does not add up, moreover, it is sharp.
Viktor Kudryavtsev, drives a Ford Explorer 3.5 (360 hp) AT 2014
Video review
“When driving in the city through traffic jams on 92 gasoline, it produces a stable 15.8-16 liters. Outside the city on the highway fit into 9.5-10. I like the trunk in principle, a lot of things managed to carry long.
Light so-so — replaced by xenon. The patency is normal - of course, I didn’t climb into the very rams, but I managed to “knead” it. With my height (almost 2m) I am very comfortable in the car. Sink flashed into Russian himself. CASCO price tag is normal - 60-70 sput.
But dealers are very tight both in terms of spare parts and service. With spare parts in general tension. Recently, the wife broke the right mirror element - none of the existential and other offices could not help and pick up - everything went straight to the officials. The price tag is wild and they want literally for every little thing.
Sergey Pisarek, drives Ford Explorer 3.5 (294 hp) AT 2013
The average consumption of my Ford Explorer 5 today is 12.5 liters on a combined cycle. I traveled by car to Europe for 3,500 km on their roads and strict observance of the speed limit. Believe it or not amounted to 8.6 liters.
In St. Petersburg, due to heavy traffic, without leaving the city, consumption does not exceed 15.5 liters. But this is the maximum. In general, so far I have not regretted at all that I bought this car.
In my opinion, the car has three main flaws, but one has already been fixed:
1. Transport tax on 294 hp 44,100 r is a bit much, but since October 2014, 249 hp came out. respectively 18675r.
2. Lack of keyless entry in any trim levels sold in Russia.
3. Lack of heated windshield. In winter, having decided to clean the snow and ice, due to the large dimensions, in order to reach the middle of the glass, you will have to lean on the car and, accordingly, all the dirt on your jacket, pants, etc.Nikolai drives a Ford Explorer 3.5 (294 hp) on a 2012 automatic.
Where can I buy?
Softness, spaciousness, convenience, modernity, in addition, only a circular view remains to be desired. Struck - excellent handling on the road, compared with others - did not even expect.
In heavy mud, of course, it floats a little, still 2.5 tons, I’m afraid not to fit in between the trees, and if it sits on the belly in the snow, but if it slowly crawls like a tank without jerks.
The main disadvantage is the dealer! I myself updated from the forum to Russian firmware back in the spring, the dealer still does not have it, I am silent about navigation. I would like to install a system of all-round visibility, the machine is still rather big, but in Kemerovo no one does it here, occasionally only front cameras + a mirror.
Owner drives Ford Explorer 3.5 (294 HP) AT 2013
I feel like I really like the car. Rulitsya very well and behaves just fine on the track. I do not feel any particular swings and rolls. Places in the cabin and trunk just the sea. One minus: there are no pockets in the trunk, where you could put a fire extinguisher or small things. I ordered a taobao organizer bag while I wait.
The transformation of the salon into 7 seats has already been needed several times. It is clear that this will not happen so often, but it’s still nice that you don’t have to think about how and who you will take away from this or that event.
The road to Yarovoye took 5.5 hours, a 13-year-old son, 160 cm tall, was sitting on the 3rd row. He said that he was quite comfortable there, and the second chair of this row was folded into a flat floor, and the whole space was littered bags and other things necessary for the trip.
In terms of consumption, in the combined cycle it is now 14.5 liters, on the highway it was 12.4 liters (from 110 to 160 km / h, the speed was mostly). Quite bearable. They write that the car is adapted for the 92nd gasoline, but it does not drive very well.
I didn’t climb anywhere off-road, in my style of operation it’s 99% asphalt, so I can’t say anything about off-road qualities.
Review of Ford Explorer 3.5 (249 hp) with automatic and all-wheel drive 2017
So, Ford Explorer in the Platinum package. I have passed the first 1,000 km so far and it’s hard to say right now. On the track, the car really “knocks down”: acceleration to a hundred in just 6 seconds and it is felt. For such a huge piece of metal, it’s quite enough. The car feels much smaller than it really is - you can maneuver. I drive quite actively / aggressively, but the car stands on the road like a glove.
Very soft suspension, along with excellent dynamics. I really like this balance - when you need to go calmly, "swim", and when you need to accelerate, it breaks from a place.
Inside, nothing will hold together, it does not make noise, the assembly is good. The materials are quality. The seats are comfortable, but less comfortable than in the same Tiguan. More obvious lateral support is missing - I love that.
I would like (this is not available now): a fully panoramic roof, with one glass, since now there are two large hatches. I always drive with the blinds open, I love it when it's light in the cabin.
Interior design — it is very unassembled, is not perceived as a whole and is not particularly pleasing to the eye. He is normal, but at the same time he is the weak link. The interior is similar to a spaceship, but I would like to see the ideology of a spaceship in a spaceship, and in a car I would like to see a more “automobile” design. And yes - I understand that this is VERY subjective, do not take such things personally.
Review of Ford Explorer Platinum 3.5 (365 hp) AWD with automatic 2017
The Ford Explorer is an SUV launched in 1991. Since 2010, we have been seeing the fifth generation of the Explorer on the roads. And today in the review of the Tatar assembly Ford Explorer, on which I drove over 4000 km. across Russia-)
There are only two places in the world where the Ford Explorer is produced: Chicago (Illinois) and Yelabuga (Republic of Tatarstan).
The car was tested by mountains, fields, lakes and completely different road conditions and surfaces. Explorer behaved equally calmly everywhere. I would say this is the most "calm" (family) car that I have tested in recent years-)
I have already tested the Explorer of the American assembly, ask if there is a difference with the car from Elabuga? Absolutely none. Although, for example, the English assembly nissan differs from the Russian counterpart.
The assembly of Ford vehicles at the Ford Sollers plant in Yelabuga began in January 2012. Today, Ford continues to develop in the domestic market, attracting former dealers of the Chevrolet concern, which was forced to leave Russia, to cooperate.
Let's move on to the features of the car - Ford Explorer has a bright appearance, it is difficult to confuse it with someone on the road. Externally, the car is sturdy.
In 2014, Ford adjusted the power of power plants to Russian taxes. So, for example, a 294-horsepower engine is derated to 249 horsepower, and a more powerful 360-horsepower version has lost only 15 “horses” (345 hp). At the same time, these innovations practically did not affect the dynamic characteristics, but now the buyer can significantly save on the transport tax.
The Explorer is ideal for a blogger - the car has a Wi-Fi router that can create an Internet access point for up to five mobile devices. You can surf the Internet directly from the eight-inch on-board computer display.
By the way, ten years ago I already had a Ford Explorer II generation SUV. Then, as now, there was no Terrain ManagementTM intelligent drive system (five operating modes are available: "city", "snow", "sand", "mud" and "descent from the slope"). The four-wheel drive of the car copes well with the harsh Russian conditions.
The Ford Explorer Limited already has a fairly good package in the basic version: pleasant interior design and high-quality materials, seat cooling, seat belts and airbags for rear seat passengers, electric lifting / tilting of the third row of seats.
The explorer's key joker is the extremely attractive price of the car against the background of competitors, the price starts at 2,099,000 rubles.
I specifically looked for flaws in the Russian assembly in small things. During the operation, I noticed only one drawback - the lack of xenon. But this is temporary and does not apply to Yelabuga (there is no xenon option) - the restyled Ford Explorer crossover will appear in 2016.
As for the interior trim, you can’t really complain here, the front of the car received soft plastic and fairly high-quality leather under its control.
On the third row, even not thin adult men can easily fit - tested on friends-)
In general, you can safely take the American full-size crossover of the Russian assembly. Verified by Russia-)
