A YEAR after the Ford Explorer was launched in the UK a series of wide-ranging refinements have been made to the world's top-selling 4x4 - with no resulting price rise.

1998 models of the £26,295 4.0 litre five-door automatic have gone on sale immediately equipped with a new-look tailgate, enhanced Control-Trac 4x4 system, Safeguard immobiliser, new tricoloured tail lamps and rear bumper, 7000RDS ICE with rear audio controls, power aerial and optional CD player and new cloth trim and exterior colours. More than 2,200 Explorers have been sold in the UK.