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What if the Ford Explorer was given the Mustang treatment?

These Mustang Ford Explorer renderings are what happens if a Mach-E fan was given free rein in Ford—but how far is too far?

Autodeal on Jun 20, 2023

If you have ever contemplated what some of Ford’s passenger cars could look like if given a Mustang treatment, well, you are in luck with these Ford Explorer renderings. Many believe that the SUV could benefit from a refreshed front-end design to enhance its appeal and to keep up with the competition, and recently, an artist named kelsonik created a rendering that accomplishes just that and more.

The new face of the Explorer draws inspiration from the Ford Mustang GT. Adapted to fit the SUV's design, the muscle car's grille features the iconic emblem and is narrower and taller than the original Explorer's grille. The bumper incorporates larger side vents and a central air intake, while the LED headlights greatly enhance the vehicle's aesthetics compared to the standard high-riding version. Additionally, the artist added a vented hood similar to that of the Mustang, omitting the "Explorer" lettering above the grille.

In addition to these modifications, the black cladding that previously adorned the lower parts of the Explorer has been painted in the same color as the rest of the exterior. The wheels have been enlarged, filling the wheel arches more effectively and giving the SUV a more imposing appearance. The ground clearance remains largely unchanged. However, if an even sportier variant of the Explorer were to be developed, it would require chassis enhancements and upgraded brakes to handle the increased power more effectively.

Such a model would warrant a V8 engine under the hood, similar to the Mustang's Coyote powerplant. The 5.0-liter V8 engine generates 460 hp and 562 Nm of torque in the GT configuration and 500 hp and 566 Nm of torque in the yet-to-be-released Dark Horse version. This represents a significant increase compared to the Explorer ST's 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, which produces 400 horsepower and the same amount of torque. Though, of course, the ST variant of the Explorer was never available in the Philippines, to begin with.

So, what do you think? Do you like the renderings, and if so, would you be interested in getting a Mustangfied Explorer, or would you instead have Ford stop with the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover?