Last summer, Ford updated the 2023 Explorer in China, giving it a distinct flavor of its own both outside and inside. Now, the big-grilled SUV is getting its own rugged Timberline treatment, so we can finally see how it compares to the North American version of the large SUV.
Photos published by the Chinese Ministry show a bright orange version of the Ford Explorer Timberline ahead of its official introduction with market-specific modification that attempt to turn the SUV into an off-roader.
The biggest change is right up front, where a new honeycomb grille features considerably fewer holes than the standard model’s and the Space Invader alien-shaped black section is much more solid than the standard part. It’s a bold design choice, but may actually afford the vehicle’s engine and innards more protection than a mesh grille.
Read: 2023 Ford Explorer Gets Fresh Exterior Styling And Massive 27-inch Screen In China
That may give it an advantage off-road, though it’s hard to know for sure, since the North American model’s grille isn’t very large. This design, though, does incorporate the Chinese-market 2023 Explorer’s headlights and its larger overall grille design.
Other touches, though, are certain to help when the going gets tough. A silver skid plate can be seen under the lower grille, which also perforated by two orange tow hooks. That section, at least, looks very similar to its American Explorer Timberline counterpart.
Elsewhere, meanwhile, the lower rear bumper is also painted silver, much like the skid plate at the front. A roof spoiler helps lend the Explorer a more athletic demeanor, and 18-inch wheels with an orange section help tie the look together. Chunky off-road tires mark this out as an off-roader.
Under the hood, the Explorer Timberline will be powered by a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It makes 276 hp (206 kW/280 hp) and 313 lb-ft (425 Nm) of torque, which is more or less the same engine the powers the North American model.
Although not a massive departure from the North American Explorer Timberline, this Chinese version is certainly distinct. Have the nation’s designers made their model look bolder or more plasticky? Let us know in the comments.
