Most SEMA builds
are little more than a marketing exercise, but Ford decided to do something
different by donating a 2019 Explorer Sport to the Austin Hatcher Foundation
for Pediatric Cancer. The organization provides support to families battling
cancer and it spawned the Hatcher Foundation’s Education Advancement Center
which allows children with cancer to help build custom show cars. As founder
Dr. Jim Osborn explained, “We merged motorsports with therapy in an effort to
make recovery fun and not sterile.”
Thanks to Ford’s
donation, this year the foundation focused on creating a customized Explorer
Sport. It features a unique exterior with orange accents and Paragon wheels
wrapped in BFGoodrich tires. The crossover has also been equipped with
auxiliary lights, a Yakima roof rack and a four-tailpipe Borla exhaust. The
model also has a kayak and a copper accent on the tailgate.
The unique styling
continues in the cabin as the Explorer features custom leather seats with white
accents and white contrast stitching. The model also has carbon fiber trim and
a rear seat entertainment system. Power comes from a
3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine which has unspecified performance upgrades.
There’s no word on how powerful the model is, but the standard engine develops
365 hp and 474 Nm of torque.
The crossover is
currently on display at SEMA and the foundation will use it to support their
healthy lifestyles program. It will eventually be auctioned off to fund
survivor support programs.
