2015 Ford Everest SUV set for November reveal

New Australian-developed Ford Everest SUV will make its first appearance in production form on November 13. 

Ford has given us our first look at the production version of the upcoming Everest SUV, with a single image and the above video to whet our appetite ahead of a full unveiling at a special media event in Beijing on November 13.  

Those hoping for new details will have to wait until then however, as the image and video show little more than we’ve already seen in the Everest Concept shown at Ford’s 'Go Further' event last August and current 'Guess Who' ad campaign, along with several sightings of several disguised development mules. 

Aside from a peek through the radiator grille at the production-ready radiator support panel and aircon condenser, the headlights, grille and bumper details appear identical to the concept version.

2015 Ford Everest SUV teaser.

Due for a 2015 arrival in local showrooms, the seven-seat Everest large SUV is the work of Ford’s Asia Pacific design and development team in Melbourne, and has been developed for several markets in the Asia Pacific region.

As suggested by CarsGuide’s earlier spy pics, this development has included global durability testing with significant time spent in the Australian outback.

“After five years and 4,500 man-years of design and development work, we’re going to redefine what customers can expect from an SUV.” Ford Asia Pacific development Vice President Trevor Worthington said in a statement. 

According to Ford’s Melbourne Design Centre boss Todd Willing, the Everest is a response to customer feedback from each key market due to receive the new model, while aligning with Ford’s global design language.  

“This is our vision of a large, seven-seat off-road vehicle that exemplifies how Ford’s “One Ford” vehicle philosophy can apply for a vehicle created for Asia Pacific,” Willing said. 

“The Everest is also further proof of the world-class design expertise here in Melbourne. Many of the talented team who worked on Everest – and continue to work on other Ford vehicles – have been educated right here in Victoria.”

Based on a shortened version of the ladder-framed PX Ranger utility's platform, the Everest wears a wagon body to create an off-road capable rival to the likes of the Isuzu MU-X, Holden Colorado 7 and Mitsubishi Challenger. 

Like its existing rivals, spy photos of the Everest also suggest it will swap the Ranger’s leaf spring/live axle rear suspension for a more comfortable and off-road friendly coil spring/live axle arrangement. 

The Everest is also expected to boost refinement levels to rob sales from the top-selling Toyota LandCruiser Prado.

2013 Ford Everest concept

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2013 Ford Everest concept

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2013 Ford Everest concept

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2013 Ford Everest concept

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Ford’s press material boasts that the Everest will come with ‘premium smart features’, which likely include the windscreen-mounted driver alert and possible autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system sighted on some mules. If so, the Everest will be the first in its segment to offer such safety technology.

A redesigned dashboard has also been seen sighted, which includes a unique centre-stack with the multimedia screen relocated from the Ranger’s dash-top location.

Different door trims are also expected, along with a revised steering wheel with larger multifunction buttons.

Spied development mules also suggest the Everest will come in at least two trim levels, with a high-spec model with 18-inch wheels, projector headlights and mirror-mounted indicators to suit private buyers, and a 17-inch wheeled lesser-equipped model to suit fleet and commercial users. A price-leading two-wheel drive version is also possible.

The Ranger’s 2.2 and and 3.2-litre turbodiesel engines are also expected to appear under the Everest’s bonnet, with a choice of six-speed manual and torque converter auto transmissions.

The Everest’s styling is expected to preview the facelifted Ranger due in 2015, and Australian Everests are expected to be sourced from the same Thai facility as local Rangers.