The best Explorer ever comes to Bahrain

The new model is available at the local Ford, Lincoln and Mercury importer-dealer, Almoayyed Motors, in two trim levels: the basic XLS and for the first time, the luxury Eddie Bauer version.

The dealership is holding also a special launch event for customers at its showroom in Sitra, on Thursday May 11th 19:00-21:30, where visitors will get to see the new Explorer first hand and enjoy great entertainment and exciting raffles.

The world's best-selling SUV saw a 25 per cent increase in Middle East sales in 2005, and is on track for another successful year with regional sales in the first quarter of 2006 up 35 per cent. The Explorer has been the world's best selling SUV for the last 15 years, selling over 5.5 million units to date.

"The Explorer has been one of our best-sellers and we are confident that the new model will enjoy instant popularity here," said Venkatesh Goud, general manager of Almoayyed Motors.

"The vehicle boasts a bold design, while being stylish and functional, and there's no compromise on durability, build quality and performance. With these features and strong after-sales support from Almoayyed Motors, we are providing our customers with nothing less than a prize package!"

For 2006, the Ford Explorer comes with a 4.0-litre, V6 SOHC engine, 10 advanced safety technologies, an all-new interior, enhanced performance, and the lowest ever noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels in its class. Also, for the first time in an Explorer, the gearshift is floor mounted.

Mohammad Mehio, Ford Middle East's National Sales manager for Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Yemen, said: "The 2006 Explorer is ideal for customers looking for a SUV that's tough yet remarkably refined and versatile. The key strength for Explorer in the mid-size category has been its value for money, and the 2006 edition builds on this with an array of standard features that focus on safety, comfort, performance, durability and reliability."

Explorer's 4.0-litre SOHC V-6 engine generates 231 horsepower and 275 lbs.-ft of torque and is certified to the same level of ultra-low emissions as the Ford Escape Hybrid. Mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission, the engine has received significant improvements for the 2006 model year. New camshaft and spark plugs have improved idle quality by 40 per cent. New engine calibrations and improved emission controls cut smog-forming emissions by 74 per cent compared to the previous model.

Mehio added: "Car safety is becoming increasingly important to our customers around the region, especially families. The 2006 Ford Explorer leads its class with 10 advanced safety technologies as standard. Seven of these are new to the mid-size SUV class, including four new adaptive technologies specifically designed for Ford's stringent internal safety targets. As a result, the new Explorer provides the most active and passive safety features in its class."