DEARBORN, MI — Ford will debut next week its redesigned 2011 Ford Explorer, a model that is expected to be up to 30 percent more fuel efficient than its predecessor.

The 2011 Explorer's standard V6 engine will enjoy a 25 percent boost in fuel economy, while models outfitted with a four-cylinder EcoBoost engine will achieve a 30 percent improvement.

This may potentially translate to corporate average fuel economy of roughly 18-20 miles per gallon in the city, and up to 26 mpg on the highway, according to media reports. The Explorer currently achieves about 14 mpg in the city, and 20 mpg on the highway.

"Explorer owners told us they want capability with convenience, and improved fuel economy without compromised performance," Mark Fields, president of Ford Americas, said in a statement this week. "We believe we’ve hit the mark with the next-generation Explorer. It has the potential to change perceptions of what a modern SUV is all about."

The company isn't targeting fuel efficiency only by retooling the engine of what was once America's top selling sport utility vehicle (SUV). Ford also took a hard look at the design of the SUV, with an eye toward lightening its load through use of materials such as boron, a high-strength steel. The hood is aluminum and the radiator support has been re-tooled to weigh 65 percent less. Engineers also improved fuel efficiency by redesigning key elements such as the sideview mirrors and rear liftgate spoiler.

The new Ford Explorer will also have a unibody design, which is also lighter in weight but doesn't compromise on off-road functionality.

Internally, a variable-displacement air conditioning compressor reduces parasitic engine drag. Additional features include fast engine warm-up, deceleration fuel shutoff and electric power-assisted steering.

The company released a slew of peek-a-boo pictures of the 2011 Ford Explorer earlier this month that show snippets of the new model. Media reports suggest the company will unveil the new Ford on Facebook and in online ads, rather than at an auto show.

The 2011 Ford Explorer will hit showrooms later this year.

Images courtesy of Ford.