The wait is over – the official unveiling of the all-new Ford Explorer took place today on the Ford Explorer Facebook page. In case you didn’t catch it there, you can watch it here.

The 2011 Ford Explorer has a bold new design, yet is instantly recognizable as an Explorer and a Ford. As with the exterior, the Explorer interior design brief was to modernize, making soft-touch surfaces and occupant comfort key priorities. A goal was to make the Explorer interior a three-row medium for the technology, convenience and connectivity it contains, while inspiring driver confidence in dynamic driving on any road, anytime, anywhere.

World-class Explorer craftsmanship mandates precision engineering to uniform tolerances and margin gaps, adding high-quality materials and soft-touch trim to change customer perceptions about SUV fit, finish and quality

A smooth, quiet ride results from the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) team sweating the details throughout the virtual, prototype and validation phases of Explorer development

All-new Ford Explorer SUV offers best-in-class fuel economy from high-tech powertrains, featuring multiple enhancements to improve mechanical efficiency.

The Explorer 3.5-liter V6 is offered as standard equipment across base, XLT and Limited models. Delivering an anticipated improvement in fuel economy of more than 20 percent versus the current Explorer, this smooth and powerful V6 enables intelligent four-wheel drive (4WD) with terrain management. The improvement in efficiency helps Explorer to surpass fuel economy figures for the 2010 Honda Pilot and other vehicles in the segment. This engine delivers an estimated 290 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque.

For SUV drivers seeking maximum fuel efficiency, Ford introduces the all-new Explorer with an available EcoBoost™ 2.0-liter I4. Combining direct injection of gasoline and turbocharging, this advanced engine delivers performance comparable to normally aspirated competitive V6 engines. Developing up to 237 horsepower at 5,500 rpm, this I4 delivers 250 lb.-ft. of torque. Estimated fuel economy improves by more than 30 percent, putting the fuel efficiency of the Ford Explorer in line with sedans such as the 2010 Toyota Camry V6.

A pair of six-speed transmissions – unique to each engine – help deliver high performance and engaging driving dynamics with class-leading fuel efficiency.

The new Ford Explorer democratizes 4WD technology, previously limited to luxury SUVs. Models equipped with intelligent 4WD with terrain management use technology to provide the driver with security and confidence in a variety of climate and surface conditions. Terrain management gives the driver a choice between four settings on a center console-mounted knob. Each setting has a unique engine calibration, throttle command, transmission shift schedule, traction and stability control calibration – all optimized to a range of driving situations. The four settings are normal, mud and ruts, sand, and snow. You can learn more about the new terrain management system by clicking here.

The new Explorer offers a Ford technology unique in the automotive industry in the first-ever inflatable second-row seat belts. Rear seat passengers – often children or mature passengers – can be more vulnerable to head, chest and neck injuries. Rear inflatable seat belts demonstrate Ford’s ongoing commitment to occupant safety. The Ford inflatable belts spread impact forces across five times more area than conventional seat belts. This reduces pressure on the chest while helping to control head and neck motion. Read more about the industry-first inflatable second-row seat belts by clicking here.

Come back to theFordStory.com later today for more information about the all-new Explorer. For the latest information, click here to visit the Ford Explorer Facebook page.