Brian Joss –
The all-new Ford Everest which was launched this week will take on the competitive premium SUV market. According to Ford it performs equally well as a comfortable family vehicle or tackling the roughest terrains.
The new Everest blends strength, smart features and style to bring consumers a tough and versatile SUV with true off-road capability, Ford said.
One of the toughest SUVs in its segment, the Everest has a body-on-frame design, assuring the torsional strength required for challenging terrains.
Together with an intelligent four-wheel drive system, an active transfer case with Torque on Demand and ground clearance of 225mm and water-wading capability of 800mm, the Everest helps drivers navigate difficult terrain with ease.
For ultimate capability, the advanced new Terrain Management System gives drivers four settings – Normal, Snow/Gravel/Grass, Sand and Rock– that alter the vehicle’s throttle response, transmission, intelligent four-wheel drive system and traction control to confidently tackle any situation. For extreme off-road environments, drivers can manually lock the transfer case in low-range four-wheel drive mode for increased control.
The Everest, according to Ford, is one of the most technologically advanced SUVs on the market.
The latest generation of Ford’s in-car connectivity solution, SYNC®2, recognises 10 000 natural voice commands to control the entertainment system, climate control and connected mobile devices more easily. Sync®2 also boasts an eight-inch touchscreen with colour-coded corners for easy menu navigation.
Other technologies include Curve Control and Cross Traffic Alert on the Limited model, which informs drivers when there is a vehicle in their blind spot while driving or when preparing to reverse out of parking spots.
The Ford Everest is powered by the latest-generation 3.2-litre five-cylinder Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel engine which incorporates an advanced exhaust gas recirculation system to boost efficiency.
It produces 147kW of power matched to an impressive 470Nm of torque, which makes the all-new Everest ideal for everyday driving as well as use in heavy-duty applications such as off-roading or towing.
The 3.2-litre engine is matched to a durable and efficient six-speed automatic transmission that delivers smooth shifts and outstanding responsiveness – with the added benefit of a Sport mode as well as a Manual mode for improved control.
The Everest is available in two feature-packed model derivatives, starting off with the XLT-spec 3.2 Auto 4×4. The XLT is comprehensively packaged with features that customers value, including the innovative new Terrain Management System.
As the flagship, the Limited model features power-fold third row seats and powered tailgate and driver aids including Active Park Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Auto High Beam Control, Blind Spot Monitoring and Lane Keep Assist.
