Next-Gen Ford Explorer Moves to a Rear-Wheel-Drive Platform, Lincoln Version Possible

Ford is reportedly planning some big changes for the next-generation Ford Explorer, which may see the popular SUV move to a new rear-wheel-drive platform.

2015 Ford Explorer XLT

Ford is reportedly planning some big changes for the next-generation Ford Explorer, which may see the popular SUV move to a new rear-wheel-drive platform. The current Explorer marked the first time that the SUV was based on a front-wheel-drive platform, but now according to The Truth About Cars, the next Explorer is set to return to its roots.
According to the latest report, the next Explorer will switch to a unibody rear-wheel-drive platform with all-wheel-drive available. The report also claims that Lincoln is going to get a version of the new crossover.

Related: 2015 Ford Explorer Gets a New Appearance Package

Why switch the Explorer to a rear-wheel-drive platform? Ford is looking to improve the Explorer’s performance and also make it more appealing to police fleets. The rear-wheel-drive Explorer may also help differentiate it further from the Edge crossover.

Ford is expected to introduce a refreshed Explorer for the 2016 model year, so the all-new rear-wheel-drive Explorer probably won’t arrive until 2018 at the earliest.

Source: The Truth About Cars