Ford has officially unveiled the next-generation Everest that is said to be hinged on the requirements of customers.
According to the Blue Oval, the latest sport utility vehicle (SUV) offering has the capability to excite with its adventure-ready capability while providing class-leading technology and premium craftsmanship.
“When we started imagining the next-gen Everest, we started not at the beginning but at the end: with our customers,” Ford Everest Chief Platform Engineer Ian Foston said.
“They’re people who like adventure, recreation and being able to go out with family and friends. Whether they’re conquering sand, rocks or city life, these customers appreciate the utility, capability and spaciousness of an SUV,” he explained.
Foston said that the objective for the creation of the next-generation Ford Everest was to design the vehicle that is “tough on the outside, sanctuary on the inside and amazing capability underneath.”
During the online global reveal, three variants of the next-generation Ford Everest were presented to the public: the Sport, Titanium+ and Platinum (flagship trim).
Ford said that a range of grades will be made available depending on the market that it will be available to — to meet the demands of the customers. “Full details will be provided closer to in-market launch.”
While Foston said that the next-generation Everest shares nearly similar dimensions with the outgoing version, the vehicle has a wider track and longer wheelbase that helped designers create a more progressive and muscular appearance. The strong shoulder lines running on the sides that complement the overall look.
The American automotive marque’s signature design is reflected on the C-clamp headlamps and strong horizontal upper grille bar. The mix of horizontal and vertical elements up front add to its stable appearance.
“We showed customers the Everest at several points during the design process, and their feedback was consistent: They loved the exterior with the strong and rugged design, but they also thought it was sleek and modern,” Max Wolff, design director for China and Ford’s International Markets Group (IMG) said. “They said that the Everest would give them the confidence to go off-road; it looks like a proper SUV.”
While the customers want loud and athletic elements outside, Wolff said that the cabin of the next-generation Ford Everest is quiet.
“We’ve all been in vehicles with multiple rows of seats, where you have to twist your head around and almost shout to be heard by passengers in the second or third rows. That’s an issue we wanted to solve for Everest, so the interior would be a quiet place in which you can easily talk to your family or friends and enjoy the journey together,” he shared.
The designers also made the interiors very homely yet premium by utilizing “plush materials, premium finishes and ambient lighting all in areas where customers can appreciate them the best.”
The next-generation Ford Everest features a full-width coast-to-coast instrument panel; a center console with dual cupholder recesses and dash-mounted "pop out" cupholders for front seat occupants. The high-series models are fitted with a wireless charging dock, a svelte new leather trimmed e-Shifter and an electric parking brake.
Second-row seats can now slide further forward, giving better access to the third-row seats. Also, the middle row offers 60:40 configuration while the rear seats, 50:50 split.
Further, Wolff’s team added an “apple catcher valley” at the rear of the cargo area and an underfloor storage space that helps keep the rear of the Everest organized.
Meanwhile, the next-generation Ford Everest is equipped with either an eight- or 12.3-inch digital instrument panel (depending on the trim) and dropping the traditional analog clusters.
It also has the latest Ford Sync 4A system with voice-activated communications, entertainment and information systems.
Moreover, the next-generation Ford Everest comes with a factory-fitted modem, allowing customers to connect to Everest when linked with the FordPass App (that offers remote start, vehicle status check, and remote lock and unlock functions via mobile device).
The portrait-oriented screen shows a 360-degree view around the vehicle with split-view display.
The power mill selections for the next-generation Everest are 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6; 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesels in single- and bi-turbo versions; and the 2.3L EcoBoost gasoline — fitted on either a six-speed or 10-speed SelectShift automatic gearbox.
Foston said that next-generation Everest’s track is wider by 50mm and damper settings were adjusted that gave it a more controlled ride, on- and off-road.
“Everest was always well regarded for its plush ride on- and off-road, but the track increase allowed our dynamics team to create a greater connection between vehicle and driver, with a more controlled fun to drive ride around town and on the highway,” he noted.
It also has a water wading ability up to 800mm, and while space in the engine bay allows for a second battery to power aftermarket accessories.
The new integrated or stand-off roof rails can support static loads of up to 350 kilograms and dynamic loads of up to 100 kilograms. A universal mounting system allows customers to equip their vehicle with a range of accessories.
Furthermore, the next-generation Ford Everest is loaded with new and enhanced driver assist technologies and safety features.
The vehicle comes with nine airbags (dual front, far-side, dual knee, dual seat side thorax and dual side curtain airbags) depending on the variant and the market.
The next-generation Ford Everest’s Active Park Assist 2.0 can help the driver fit safely in tight spaces by autonomously controlling the steering, gearshifts, acceleration and braking to navigate into parallel or perpendicular spaces.
The newly-launched model will also have various versions of the brand’s adaptive cruise control system: depending on market and model.
Additionally, the SUV comes with new features namely lane-keeping system with road-edge detection; evasive steer assist; reverse brake assist; blind spot information system and has enhanced its pre-collision assist with intersection functionality.
“Our customers’ feedback on what they loved about the current Everest, and what they needed, has helped us create a truly remarkable vehicle – one that is very capable, safe, smart and powerful. But just as importantly, their feedback has helped us create a remarkable ownership experience as well,” Ford IMG President Dianne Craig said.
“Everest customers lead busy lives, juggling work, family time, a social life and recreation. They need their vehicle ownership experience to be easier and more rewarding, so we’ve created a collection of services that, depending on the market, are designed to help do just that,” she added.
Photos from Ford
Also read:
WATCH: Ford PH teases next-gen Everest ahead of Mar. 1 debut
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