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Claudia Hommel
Cabaret Singer
Extraordinaire
Cordell Koland
Car Writer
Weekly Reviews
 2007 Ford Sport Trac by Cordell Koland After being missing in action for a year, for 2007 Ford has launched an all new Sport Trac with a beefy new V8 engine for more power and a sophisticated body and suspension that delivers better ride and handling. The bottom line is much better performance and a surprisingly refined ride quality. So why develop a vehicle with an open pickup truck box behind the cabin of a sport-utility vehicle. Well, if a sport-utility is aimed at an active life style, the so-called sport-utility truck is designed for the super active life style. That¹s the kind of person who really goes out and gets wet or dirty, as in mountain biking, scuba diving or river rafting. My dad and his brothers were major league hunters when I was growing up and the Sport Trac would have been just the thing to stow the venison in back while the big game hunters enjoyed the comfort of the posh interior. And then you just hose out the rear compartment after the fun is finished. To ensure a long life in active duty, the 37.5 cu. ft. cargo box, which extends to 4.5 ft. in length, is constructed of corrosion-resistant molded composite with a molded-in liner that resists scratches and general abuse. The box is notched, allowing 2x4 boards to span the width, providing tiered storage of materials. The outer shell is painted the body color and outfitted with handy tie-down hooks. The tubular aluminum cargo cage is a must-have option. It can be flipped rearward to function as a bed extender for extra storage capacity when the tailgate is lowered. We used the cage to safely secure a load of building materials. An optional, locking hard cover keeps gear secure from the weather and prying eyes. The five-seat Sport Trac is surprisingly refined for a truck-based sport-utility. As we cruised down the Interstate at a speed I will suppress to protect the guilty, my wife remarked on the vehicle¹s quiet, comfortable ride. I had to pause for a minute and really listen. But I had to agree. At fast cruising speed, the Sport Track almost reached Lexus levels in its suppression of noise, vibration and harshness. The Sport Trac shares a frame with the 2006 Explorer, which is the current gold standard in the segment. The new frame is more than 400 percent stiffer than the previous model. The stiff frame allowed Ford engineers to precisely tune engine mounts and suspension components to reduce noise and vibration. The Sport Trac benefits from a new generation of technology that is designed to prevent vehicle rollovers. The AdvanceTrac system integrates three major components, including the anti-lock brake system, traction control, and yaw (anti-skid) control. If the vehicle-roll-motion sensor detects a significant roll angle, it automatically engages AdvanceTrac to help keep all four wheels safely on the ground. But if the worst happens, side-impact air curtains deploy if an impending rollover is detected to help protect front-and second-row outboard occupants. The Sport Trac¹s standard engine is the 4-liter V-6, which meets stringent federal Tier II, Bin 4 emissions. On the other hand, the real excitement is a new V-8 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The spunky engine and transmission deliver a maximum 6,800 pounds of towing capacity, but more importantly deliver sufficient power to entertain the driver. And the V-8's gas mileage is almost as good as most V-6 engines. The styling of the Sport Trac won¹t win any beauty contests, but the design is certainly functional. My major problem is the new grille front- end treatment that looks like a recent graduate of the chrome school of design. On the other hand, I particularly like the basic simplicity of the Sport's track's center console. The instruments are mounted high where they are easy to see and use. It is an interesting comment on the contemporary automotive world in which the more you pay for an automobile the harder it is to use. So hats off to the truck makers who have kept controls relatively simple, safe and usable. Vehicle: Ford Explorer Sport
Trac Limited 4x4
Price as tested: $34,625 Engine: Type: 4.6-liter V-8 Horsepower: 292 @ 5,750 rpm Torque: 300 lbs.-ft. @ 3,950 rpm Fuel economy, automatic transmission City 14 mpg Highway 20 mpg Curb Weight: 4,793 lbs. Cordell Koland is an automotive journalist based in California's central coast. He can be reached at cordellkoland@oakparkjournal.com |
