Thread Starter
#1
The Ford Explorer name might not hold as much cache as Mustang or even Puma here in the UK, but it’s big in the US and it’ll soon arrive here to broaden the American firm’s range of all-electric SUVs. The Ford Explorer EV is expected to finally land later this year after significant delays in production.
Utilising the same MEB platform as the Volkswagen ID.4, the new Explorer is a result of Ford and VW’s partnership to share technology and production costs. The fruits of this venture have already been seen in the new Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok pick-up trucks, plus vans like the new Ford Transit Courier and Volkswagen Caddy.
The Ford Explorer will provide fresh competition in the VW ID.4’s segment of mid-size electric SUVs, where it’ll have to do battle with other MEB-based EVs like the Skoda Enyaq and the upcoming Cupra Tavascan. Further afield is more competition in the shape of the Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, Toyota bZ4X, BYD Seal U and Peugeot E-3008, so the new Ford certainly has its work cut out.
nspired by Volkswagen’s ID.5 coupe-SUV, Ford is also looking at launching a sportier alternative to the new Explorer, bringing back the Capri name in the process. The new Ford Capri will have the same MEB underpinnings as the Explorer, but will offer an even more aggressive look.
When will the new Ford Explorer go on sale?
Revealed in 2023 and initially scheduled for sale later on that year, the Ford Explorer has in fact had its release has been delayed until the summer of 2024 with Ford citing new European technical standards as the source of the delay.
Ford has taken the decision to delay production to ensure that it conforms to an incoming UN regulation that regards standardisation of battery safety regulations.
In a statement to Auto Express, Ford commented: ‘We are excited to bring the electric Explorer to our customers in Europe, the first electric passenger vehicle produced in our new Ford Cologne Electric Vehicle Center. Ford is embracing the incoming technical standard for electric vehicles (UN Regulation 100.3) because it is consistent with our internal philosophy to deliver safe, high-quality vehicles to customers around the globe. This means the new Explorer will now be delivered to customers in the summer of 2024.’
Explorer production was due to commence at Ford’s Cologne plant following the end of the Fiesta, but now faces delays of well over six months compared to the original autumn 2023 projection. It’s unknown whether the same delays might affect other manufacturers, including VW’s closely related ID range.
What do we know about the Ford Explorer’s design and practicality?
Once the Explorer does arrive in the UK it’ll showcase a stockier, more aggressive stance than the friendly-faced ID. models. It’s wider than its German cousin but it’s down 124mm in length and is 40mm shorter in height, giving the Ford a more squat look. The Ford’s blade-like LED headlights are connected by a piece of trim that lead designer Jordan Demkiw calls the car’s “coast-to-coast” panel. There’s a silver scuff plate and body cladding that runs the length of the car, which Ford says has allowed them to reinterpret the “assertive and rugged appeal of Ford’s iconic [Explorer] SUV – specifically for customers in Europe.”
Demkiw and his team have incorporated a floating roof design thanks to black A, B, and C-pillars, with a semi-transparent graphic on the last of those that mimics the gas-guzzling US-spec Explorer’s design without affecting rearward visibility, according to Ford. Buyers will get a choice of wheels ranging from 19-21 inches, as well as a range of exterior paint options.
Like the front end, the rear end has a similarly squared-off shape, again with LED lights connected by black trim. Behind the Explorer’s tailgate there’s a 450-litre boot – bigger than the Mach-E’s, but around 100 litres down on the ID.4’s, probably due to the shorter rear overhangs. There’s a moveable boot floor, and folding the rear seats flat reveals a total of 1,400 litres.
What are the powertrain and charging specs?
The Explorer range will kick off with the 168bhp rear-wheel-drive model, which uses a 55kWh (52kWh usable) battery for a predicted range of up to 218 miles. Moving up through the range, Ford is also offering a more powerful 282bhp single-motor car, utilising a larger 82kWh (77kWh usable) battery. Ford says this version will do up to 335 miles, while it also boosts the maximum charging speed from 130kW to 170kW, matching the fastest VW tech.
The range-topping Explorer gets the same battery and charging capabilities as the mid-range car, but with dual motors producing a combined 335bhp – 40bhp more than the hot VW ID.4 GTX. The flagship Ford will do 305 miles on a charge and is rated to tow up to 1,400kg. All Explorers are able to charge from 10-80 per cent in around 25 minutes.
How will the Explorer’s interior shape up?
Inside is where the Ford makes the biggest strides compared with its VW sister car. The Explorer features an adjustable 15-inch portrait screen, which is unique in running Ford’s SYNCMove software that allows for full-screen mapping, plus access to all the usual smartphone connectivity options.
Its position is adjustable in 20 stages, changing the angle of the display by up to 30 degrees and offering an upright view for complex tasks such as turn-by-turn mapping, to a more relaxed orientation better suited to cruising on the motorway. Hidden behind the screen is what Ford calls ‘My Private Locker’ – a storage space for phones, wallets and other items. There’s another area underneath the centre console for odds and ends, and a 17-litre cubby between the front seats that’s big enough for a 15-inch laptop or three bottles of water.
There’s a standard-fit soundbar on top of the dashboard, incorporating optional 10-colour ambient lighting that reacts to the various drive modes. There’s also a five-inch digital instrument cluster showing speed, range and nav instructions.
While we’ve only sat in a one-off prototype, Ford is putting strong emphasis on quality and claims that “every touch point features soft-touch materials” – including the tops of the doors, which have a “consistent 3mm of give” for a “supple feel”.
How much is the Ford Explorer and what kit do buyers get for their money?
Prices will be determined closer to launch, but we expect the Explorer to be priced on par with the Volkswagen ID.4, while undercutting the more premium and sportier Mustang Mach-E in Ford’s model range. That should mean a starting figure of around £40,000 for the entry-level rear-wheel drive model with its 55kWh battery. The more powerful single motor with the 82kWh battery is likely to start nearer to £50,000 and the top-spec models with all-wheel drive and a dual-motor set up possibly closer to £55,000, rivalling the likes of the ID.4 GTX.
Ford will keep the Explorer’s trim level structure pretty simple. Just two trims will be available from launch: Explorer and Explorer Premium. Exact specifications haven’t been revealed but Ford has confirmed that all cars will come with heated massage seats and a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate control and keyless entry, plus the dash-mounted soundbar and that 15-inch screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium brings Sensico artificial leather and ambient lighting, while options include an automatic tailgate and a full-length panoramic roof.
Autoexpress