- the ford explorer may soon add an off-road oriented model, possibly called timberline.
- these spy photos show all-terrain tires and different front- and rear-end styling.
- the timberline will likely join the lineup for 2022, although it may be added during the current 2021 model year.
these spy photos show a new version of the ford explorer that's aiming for an off-road-ready appearance. this new model could use the timberline name, as ford authority reports, and indeed, ford has filed a trademark for that moniker.
the most notable changes seen here include different wheels and chunkier bridgestone dueler all-terrain tires, along with a different front end that features a new grille insert and an orange trim piece on the lower fascia. there's a skid plate underneath, and the rear end also has a tweaked fascia with a skid plate. the overall effect is similar to the fx4 off-road packages available on ford's pickup trucks.
we wouldn't expect too many mechanical changes for the explorer timberline; a lifted suspension is possible, although it's hard to tell based on these photos. it's all but certain that it will come standard with the explorer's optional all-wheel-drive system. the timberline will likely also have its own badging and interior trim differences. other three-row crossovers offer similar rugged-looking packages such as the nissan pathfinder's rock creek edition or the gmc acadia's at4 trim level.
we expect the timberline to join the 2022 ford explorer lineup, although it's possible ford will add it during the current 2021 model year. based on this test prototype, it looks ready to go, so we should hear more about this off-road package soon.