Hot on the heels of the new Ford Ranger (which you can read here), the Blue Oval Ford has released information and images on the all-new Everest. Up until now there has been no SUV version of the current very popular Ranger pick-up and, judging from the popularity of Toyota’s similar offering, the Fortuner, Ford must really have been missing out on sales.
The new Everest takes its design cues from the Ranger, with a similar facade. The real changes in appearance are further back where you can see the elongated roof line, creating a cabin that can accommodate seven.
Built Ford Tough
The new Ford Everest has a body-on-frame design, with an intelligent four-wheel drive system, an active transfer case with Torque on Demand, Terrain Management System, and best-in-class ground clearance of 225 mm and water-wading capability of 800 mm, the Everest helps drivers navigate difficult terrain with ease.
A Terrain Management System gives drivers four preset settings – Normal, Snow/Gravel/Grass, Sand and Rock– that alter the vehicle’s throttle response, transmission, intelligent four-wheel drive system and traction control to tackle any off-road situation. For extreme off-road environments, drivers can manually lock the transfer case in low-range four-wheel drive mode for increased control.
The new Ford Everest will also be available in rear-wheel drive for those who aren’t as keen on the off-roading aspect..
High tech
New Everest features Sync 2 as its infotainment control module. The system lets drivers use natural voice commands to control the car’s entertainment system, climate controls and connected mobile devices. It also boasts an eight-inch touchscreen with color-coded corners for easy menu navigation.
In addition to advanced active safety systems, a strong passenger cage built using high-strength materials like boron steel, and passive safety features, including up to seven airbags, help to keep occupants safe in the event of a collision.
Power on tap
Buyers can opt for one of two diesel engines from Ford’s Duratorq range, mated to either a six-speed automatic or manual transmissions. The 3,2-litre five-cylinder TDCi diesel engine offers 147 kW of power and 470 N.m of torque. The 2,2-liter four-cylinder TDCi diesel produces 118 kW of power and 385 N.m of torque.
The new Ford Everest will be manufactured at AutoAlliance Thailand in Rayong, Thailand, and will be launched in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2015. Local specs and pricing will be confirmed closer to launch.