www.carshowroom.com.au will be putting the all-new Ford Everest through its paces in Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand late next month but ahead of that Ford has preleased some preliminary information about the handsomely-styled, Australian-developed full-size seven-seat SUV.
The Everest is based on the Ford Ranger platform and, with prices starting from $54,990 will eventually replace the Territory as Ford’s full-size SUV.
Credentials are impressive and, compared to arch rival Totota Prado (priced from $51,990 - $83,490), Ford has assumed some bragging rights such as 3,000kgs towing capacity, Wi-Fi hotspot, auto high-beam, Active park Assist (Titanium), Lane Keeping Assist System (Trend, Titanium), Power Lift Tailgate (Trend, Titanium), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (Titanium).
More than 6,000 prospective Australian buyers have already expressed interest in the all-new Everest which joins the local Territory and imports EcoSport and Kuga in providing a sensational range of SUVs in all size categories.
It’s a good time to be a Ford dealer - along with the just-launched all-new Mondeo mid-sizer and upcoming Ford Mustang, introduction of the Everest means Ford has the right cars at the right price in the right market segments.
“The Everest SUV represents the very best of Ford’s Australian design and engineering capabilities,” explained Ford Australia chief Graeme Whickman. “Our customers have been waiting for this smart and highly capable SUV but what they didn’t expect was the level of technology, standard features and contemporary design.”
We’ll go along with that – it wasn’t so long ago your www.carshowroom.com.au spied a couple of Ford Everests being tested at the Angelsea Proving Ground near Melbourne and the car you see in these photos differs quite substantially in appearance. That proves the Ford development team hasn’t been shy of making tough-to-do major changes right up until the end of the engineering process.
We’ll see the newcomer in three models – entry grade ‘Everest’, mid-spec ‘Trend’ and range-topping ‘Titanium’ (the usual Ford nomenclature).
All will be powered by the 143kW/470Nm 3.2-litre turbo-diesel driving through a six-speed automatic transmission with sports mode.
Combined cycle fuel consumption rates at 8.5l/100kms. That means a range between refills of 1,100kms which is good news for ‘Grey Nomads’ and others who like to travel.
Ford Everest’s all-wheel-drive system is a four-mode ‘Terrain Management System’ combined with an electronic locking rear differential and active transfer case.
Proving the all-new Ford Everest has what it takes to conquer the outback and the likes of Fraser Island or Cape York, we have a wading depth of 800mm, ground clearance of 225mm, approach angle of 29-degrees, ramp-over angle of 21-degrees and a departure angle of 25-degrees.
And for safe/relaxed highway cruising both Ford Everest Trend and Titanium models score Adaptive cruise Control with Collision Warning while range-topping Titanium goes further adding Active Park Assist and Blind Spot Information System.
There’s also Active Noise Cancellation and extensive sound-absorbing materials to ensure Ford’s all-new seven-seat SUV is refined at any speed.
We really like the look – Titanium models in particular look purposeful with their 20-inch alloy wheels, side sills and HID headlights with LED DRLs.
And we’re looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the all-new Ford Everest in Thailand late next month.
2015 Ford Everest full lineup is:
| Everest | $54,990 |
| Everest Trend | $60,990 |
| Everest Titanium | $76,990 |
2015 Ford Everest Options:
| Tow bar (3,000kgs capacity) | $1,000 |
| Satellite navigation (Trend only) | $600 |
| Prestige paint | $500 |
