The North American president of Jeep Jim Morrison says that he feels sympathetic towards Ford customers that get tricked into thinking their products are trail rated. Morrison makes note of the Ford Explorer Timerline in particular.
Speaking to Muscle Cars and Trucks, Morrison notes that the new Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe has been identified as a competitor for the Explorer Timberline by members of the industry. He refutes this by saying that Ford’s competitor would not be able to travel as far into the wilderness.
“I actually feel sorry for (Ford Explorer Timberline) customers that get tricked. You can paint a tow hook red. It doesn’t mean that behind the tow hook it would even hold up in the right moment that it needs to.” Morrison says.
“We design all of those Trail Rated elements from the ground up… it’s not just a marketing term, it’s capability that’s bred in. You don’t just put stickers and paint on things. We build it in with incredible capability,
“The Timberline would have made it to about *there*. That’s a 65 grade incline, and it wouldn’t have made it by there,” he adds, pointing to a picture of the Trailhawk climbing up a slope.
For reference, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe comes standard with a Quadra-Drive II 4×4 system with two-speed transfer case and 2,72:1 low-range gear ratio, rear electronic limited-slip differential, Selec-Terrain traction management system and speed control, a 278 mm ground clearance, 610 mm water fording capability. 47,4:1 crawl ratio, blue tow hooks and blue-accented 18-inch wheels with all-terrain tyres.
