Image: Ford
Image: Ford
Image: Ford
Image: Ford
Image: Ford
New ModelsBy: Siyavuya Mbaduli
Ford has just unveiled the latest addition to their lineup of electric vehicles – the all-new Explorer EV which boasts a unique blend of German engineering and American design.
Image: Ford
That is correct, the Blue Oval has used Volkswagens underpinnings for their newest addition since the model is built on the same MEB platform as the Volkswagen ID.4. That has been done for the Ford Explorer to mark the beginning of a new era for the automaker in Europe, with room for up to five passengers and an emphasis on adventure, this mid-size crossover is aimed squarely at families.
On the exterior, the Explorer features an aerodynamic design that pays homage to the iconic American SUV but with a modern twist. The bold “shield” design replaces the traditional grille, giving the Explorer a more aggressive look. Up front, the blanked-off grille is home to Ford’s blue oval badge, flanked by angular LED headlights that add visual width to the vehicle. Large wheel arches and unadorned flanks complete the look, with blacked-out pillars that give the impression of a floating roof.
Image: Ford
Inside, the Explorer’s five-seat cabin is a departure from Volkswagen’s MEB-based electric cars, with a large 14,6-inch touchscreen infotainment system that runs the latest Sync software. There’s also a 5,3-inch instrument display for the driver behind the steering wheel. Standard features include power-adjustable front seats with heating and massage functions, as well as a sound bar with 10-colour ambient lighting.
Image: Ford
Other available features include a panoramic sunroof, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, a power tailgate and a heat pump to warm up the cabin. To give the Explorer its own unique driving character, Ford has equipped it with a tuned steering system and suspension. The front MacPherson-strut and multi-link rear suspension system were developed by Volkswagen but with new spring and damper rates, unique bushings, and low rolling-resistance tyres.
Image: Ford
Three versions of the Explorer will be available, starting with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant that boasts 250 kW of power and an estimated 490 km of driving range from a 77 kWh battery. There’s also an entry-level rear-wheel-drive model with 125 kW and a 52 kWh battery that can travel 350 km on a single charge, and a mid-grade rear-wheel-drive version with 210 kW of power and a 77 kWh battery that can go up to 540 km on a single charge.
Image: Ford
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The battery packs are shared with equivalent Volkswagen models, but the 210 kW and 250 kW motor layouts are unique to the Explorer. The 2024 Ford Explorer electric SUV is expected to arrive in European showrooms at the end of this year. That being said it is destined for foreign markets only and it is highly unlikely that the electrified model will serve in Ford South Africa’s lineup during its life cycle.
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Keyword: The new Ford Explorer EV comes with Volkswagen I.D DNA