It’s been a while since Ford debuted the new 2013 Explorer Sport at this year’s New York Auto Show, and even though the company released pricing in June, we still didn’t know how strong the SUV’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine was with the Blue Oval simply stating that “it makes at least 350hp”.

On Friday, Ford announced that the performance version of its new Explorer series is certified at 365-horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, the same as the Taurus SHO, which is motivated by the same 3.5-liter turbocharged V6.

In addition to the performance numbers, Ford said that the 2013 Explorer Sport has received an official EPA-rated fuel economy of 16mpg city (14.7lt/100km) and 22mpg highway (10.7lt/100km).

According to the Blue Oval’s press blurb, “this is 3 mpg better in the city and 2 mpg better on the highway than the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango R/T with 5.7-liter Hemi engines”, and “3 mpg higher in the city and 4 mpg higher on the highway than the supercharged Land Rover Range Rover Sport”.

The new 2013 Explorer Sport will soon go on sale in the States with a starting price of $40,720, not including an $825 destination fee that puts the total to $41,545.

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