SPY PICS: Next-gen Ford Explorer caught in the open

Australians were mostly underwhelmed by the Ford Explorer SUV the last time it was sold here, but that could change if Ford Australia can secure the latest version of the seven-seat wagon to complement its current SUV range.

At present, Ford's local SUV line-up includes the small EcoSport, the mid-size Escape, the large new Endura that will arrive in December and the rugged Everest off-roader.

But while both large SUVs are diesel-only, the Endura will only be available with five seats and the seven-seat Everest is based on the same ladder frame as the Ford Ranger ute.

That leaves a big gap in the Ford portfolio -- previously filled by the Falcon-based Territory -- where competitors are selling car-based, road-friendly seven-seat 'crossovers' like the Toyota Kluger, Mazda CX-9 and new Holden Acadia.

Could that gap be filled by North America's big Ford Explorer? Certainly Ford Australia is not blind to the possibility, as Ford Asia-Pacific boss Peter Fleet indicated when talking to motoring.com.au at the 2018 Detroit motor show.

The possibility is made more alluring as Ford is on the cusp of introducing its first comprehensive redesign of the Explorer since the current model was launched in the US almost 10 years ago.

Riding on the company's modular CD6 platform, the next-gen Ford Explorer is capable of supporting front-drive, rear-drive and all-wheel drive and, with its seven-seat configuration it could nicely fill the void left by the departure of the Territory in 2016. Like the Territory, it's also expected the next-gen Explorer will continue to offer a choice between rear and all-wheel drive.

Currently available in the US with a choice of three engines – two 3.5-litre V6s and the 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder familiar to Australians from the Ford Mustang – the next-gen Explorer is expected to also gain a punchier twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 winding out as much as 298kW. Maybe this is the engine feeding the rectangular quad tailpipes that can be seen emerging from the rear bumpers of this test mule.

These spy photos indicate that, even if the body is all-new, the basic styling signatures of the next-gen Explorer won't change much, which will at least allow for easy identification. All-new panels and a distinct sculpting at the sides combine to bring a more organic, rounded-wedge look that keeps pace with current styling trends.

On top of the next-gen Explorer's apparent suitability for the Australian market, there's added weight in Ford's stated aim to broaden electrification of its future vehicles, with the Explorer specifically targeted.