Back in October of last year, Ford Authority reported that the Ford Explorer would be gaining King Ranch and Timberline trim levels for the 2021 model year. Since then, we’ve spied Explorer Timberline prototypes out testing not just once, or twice, but three times, and have also spotted the King Ranch on one occasion thus far. But aside from its unique styling features, we noticed something particularly interesting about the Timberline – a new logo – designed to look like the outline of a mountain range – that is present on the front bumper.
While the King Ranch trim level has been around for a while on Ford F-Series pickups including the Ford F-150 and Ford Super Duty, Timberline is a brand new brand for the automaker. It will signify a more off-road capable version of the Ford Explorer, as we’ve previously reported, and the Timberline brand is very similar to Subaru’s Wilderness Edition Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek that are in the works.
These light-duty off-road vehicles, which also include the Ford Bronco Sport and future Ford Fusion Active, are designed to appeal to outdoorsy people and feature a host of enhancements that make them capable to perform mild to medium off-roading activities, while carrying their owners and their gear to remote destinations to do things like fish, camp, bike, kayak, or canoe.
Much like Ford’s European Active models, which have greatly expanded due to growing demand in recent years, Timberline will target the same sort of customer. That’s precisely why the Explorer Timberline prototype is wearing a new logo that looks like a mountain range, as it’s easily identifiable as a vehicle that’s capable of doing far more than just hauling groceries and the kids to soccer practice.
In addition to the new logo, the Explorer Timberline features a unique grille design with a single bar that runs the entire width of the grille, an orange line across the front bumper, matching orange tow hooks, and a new fog light design. It rolls on a set of black 18-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tires, with a dual exhaust tucked up underneath the rear to improve ground clearance. It’s also possible that the Timberline rides on an adjustable air suspension, as we recently speculated.
We expect the Explorer Timberline to launch very soon for the 2021 model year as a rugged version of Ford’s long-running crossover, essentially as an off-road-focused version of the Explorer ST. Like all other Explorer variants, the Explorer Timberline will be produced at the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant.
We’ll have more on the Explorer Timberline very soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Explorer news and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
I assume they want to keep FX4 the domain of BOF trucks?
“and the Timberline brand is very similar to Subaru’s Wilderness Edition Outback, Frontier, and Crosstrek that are in the works.”
I think you meant to say Forester, not Frontier.
It would be amazing if they had a lockable transfer case instead of a clutch system. I doubt it’ll happen but we can hope.
Didn’t Ford already have something similar to this in the past? Like a more off road focused trim level with a logo that looked like a mountain range? They had funny looking roof racks that said Explorer on them and came in this super bright yellow color. BNX or something. Those were cool. Seen a couple on the lot but never really on the road.
Will this Timberline be as capable in the off road as the Bronco? We had a 03 Explorer NBX. Pretty cool but .Only saw a few. Only way to tell was the roof rack. Never took off road, except on the sand in Outer Banks.
It’s a breakthrough!
“More off-road capable” versions consist of….. special paint and recovery hooks so they can be rescued by actually capable vehicles.