Ford’s next SUV is expected to share its underpinnings with the VW ID.4 and will sit below the Mustang Mach-E in the brand’s electric lineup
- Shares underpinnings with Volkswagen ID.4
- Range of over 300 miles expected
- Due to arrive by 2024
Ford’s lineup is set for a monumental shakeup in the next few years, thanks in part to its new ‘Model e’ electric car sub brand. Spearheading this change will not only be an electrified variant of the best-selling Ford Puma, but an electric family SUV that will share many of its parts with the Volkswagen ID.4.
The yet-to-be-named Ford SUV will sit below the Mustang Mach-E in the brand’s lineup and, thanks to a recent partnership between Ford and VW, is expected to sit on the same MEB underpinnings as the ID.4 and its coupe-SUV sibling, the Volkswagen ID.5.
New spy shots have given us our first glimpse of what we can expect the new car to look like. The overall silhouette of the car is much more upright and brutish than the comparatively sleek Mustang Mach-E, while the squared-off front end is more reminiscent of the US-only Ford Edge.
Hinted at through a variety of teaser images, the electric Ford SUV will adopt an angular LED headlight signature, which will likely flow into a grille-shaped trim piece. A large boot spoiler suggests the Ford SUV will take a more aggressive visual approach compared with the more rounded features of the ID.4, while a two-tone roof could also be offered for an even more striking look.
Strip away the Ford’s bodywork and, as previously mentioned, it will sit on the same MEB platform as several Volkswagen electric cars. Like the similarly-sized ID.4, Ford’s electric family SUV could utilise a 77kWh battery, providing a range of over 300 miles on a single charge – putting it in line with rivals such as the Nissan Ariya. Single and dual-motor variants are likely to be offered, with outputs between 146bhp and 295bhp.
The new Ford SUV is expected to go into production soon at the American brand’s factory in Cologne; this has historically been the home for the recently-discontinued Ford Fiesta supermini and is currently undergoing a £1.5 billion transformation to prepare for the manufacture of electric vehicles.
Given this is the first time we’ve seen the new car out testing, it’s likely to be a while before Ford’s latest EV is unveiled to the public. Expect a full reveal in the latter stages of 2023, ahead of the new car going on sale in early 2024. At this stage it’s difficult to pinpoint exact pricing, but a starting price of around £38,000 would be competitive with the likes of the Skoda Enyaq iV.
Keyword: New Ford electric SUV to rival Volkswagen ID.4