Ford Everest 2015 News

Thinly-disguised Ranger-based Ford Everest SUV spied testing.

The seven seater four wheel drive will likely be named ‘Everest’. Like the Ranger ute it’s based on, it’s developed by Ford Australia, whose design, research and development capability is expected to continue operating locally beyond manufacturing close down in 2016.The Territory rear end on this production test mule disguises a shorter wheelbase than the Ranger, which should make the Everest more manoeuvrable and agile on and off road. Like its rival, the Holden Colorado 7, the Ford is expected to upgrade the Ranger’s leaf springs and drum brakes to a live axle coil suspension setup and rear disc brakes.This should make the ride more passenger friendly, with the possibility of Ford adopting an independent rear suspension setup also an option. This would make the development more costly, but would favour passenger comfort and handling on road.A passenger version of the previous generation Ford Ranger has been in production in Thailand for several years, carrying the Everest name in that local market. But this is the first time the Everest SUV, which will be assembled in Thailand, will feature a smaller wheelbase and the expected suspension, brake and cabin refinement and passenger safety updates to make the SUV a competitive product in the global Ford portfolio.Like the Ranger, the Everest will be sold in European, American and Asia-pacific countries. No details have been revealed about engine and powertrain options, but expect little or no change to Ford’s 147kW 3.2-litre 5 cylinder Turbo diesel unit and 6 speed manual and automatic transmissions for our market. Ford’s 110kW 2.2-litre Turbo diesel, and 122kW 2.5-litre petrol may also feature in overseas models, but both are unlikely to make it to Australian showrooms.Low range is almost certain to continue too, making the Everest the most off road capable passenger four wheel drive offered by Ford Australia since the late 80s Maverick. A rear wheel drive model may also be on the cards, lowering the entry level price for families who don’t need the extra off road capability.Expect the Everest to launch in the second half of 2014, when the new model will need to win over the hearts of families and off road enthusiasts alike. The segment is currently dominated by the Toyota Prado with over 1000 sales per month, but it’s the soft roaders like the Ford Territory, Toyota Kluger, Holden Captiva 7 and Hyundai Santa Fe that make up the majority of sales combined, making passenger accommodation an important success factor.However, it’s the other ute-based passenger SUVs that will feel the heat of increased rivalry, with the Holden Colorado 7, Isuzu MU-X and Mitsubishi Challenger squarely on Ford’s radar. Ford may gain some sales from Territory buyers too, once manufacturing of the local SUV stops in 2016. Territory’s likely replacement, the Ford Edge, is not available with a Diesel engine, meaning customers wishing to buy a diesel four wheel drive Ford will need to turn to the Everest. 

This is the future for Ford in Australia. It's not called a Falcon, and it doesn't look like a Falcon, but the Everest is the Ford family car for the future.The seven-seater SUV was designed, engineered and developed in Australia and the only thing missing from the Everest plan is production at Broadmeadows. Instead, it will come from Thailand in 2015. It gets its world debut in Sydney this week as proof that Ford is still committed to Australia and the 1000-strong development team at its Melbourne headquarters."The customers here clearly want SUVs. It's just a continuation of building that portfolio," the president of Ford Australia, Bob Graziano, tells Carsguide on Tuesday at his company's giant Go Further showcase.Graziano stops short of calling Everest the new Falcon, but only because the majority of that job is likely to be handed to the mid-sized Mondeo with four new SUVs - including one still on the top-secret list - to do the other jobs that have been traditionally handled by the Falcon.Billed as a 'Vision for the Future', the key to the $4 million event is the unveiling of a range of future products that are promised to add 11 new models to the local lineup in Ford showrooms over the next five years. The Everest breaks cover at Go Further, on the same movie set used to film blockbusters including Wolverine and Moulin Rouge.Ford also makes the official confirmation of a right-hand drive Mustang for Australia and previews other debutants including the mid-sized Mondeo, punchy Fiesta ST and new Transit workhorses. For a bit of fun, there is a barely street-legal Formula Ford that's fresh from hot laps at the Nurburgring.But Ford refuses to talk about its plans for Ford Performance Vehicles or V8 engines, although it says Falcon sales will continue through the update next year to the end of local production in 2016 despite another disastrous slump since the announcement of the Broadmeadows shutdown. "That's the plan," Ford's global boss, Alan Mulally, tells Carsguide.The showroom preview at Go Further is a clear attempt by Ford to head off any buyer strike, as well as keeping its dealers and fans focussed on a future beyond Falcon and Territory. "Why are we doing this? Firstly to demonstrate Ford's commitment to Australia. Secondly, to share our vision for growth," says Graziano. "For us, the future starts today."The product preview begins with the Fiesta, including confirmation of the turbocharged ST and an EcoBoost engine - just 1.0-litres and three cylinders - that matches the performance of a convention 1.6. By 2017 there will be EcoBoost engines in 70 per cent of Ford models, including the F-Series truck that's already a sales winner with a downsized V6.The Mondeo hatch and sports wagon are next into the spotlight, although they won't arrive in Australia before 2015 as the company switches production to a factory in Valencia, Spain. Apart from their swish styling, the big product promise is airbag-style inflatable rear seatbelts and a 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine.Then comes confirmation of the Mustang, although there is no car because the all-new model with right-hand drive is not being revealed until 2014. "The Mustang is coming. With right-hand drive. We'll share many more details with you in the months ahead," is the only comment.Then comes a preview of the Transit van, in two body sizes, before global COO Mark Fields shifts into the SUV scene, starting with the existing Territory and Kuga before adding the baby EcoBoost and the giant Everest, as well as hinting about anothe secret newcomer."Nothing sums up the Australian way of life and spirit like an SUV," says Fields. He says the compact EcoBoost, which is coming from India, is the right size for urban use and then turns to Concept Everest.It's part of the T6 development program that has already produced the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT50 twins, rated by Carsguide as best in their class. There are substantial changes to the running gear, which is hidden after the brief spotlight appearance, and it's said to be much more refined than the pickup.The only changes likely for the production Everest are minor tweaks to things like the wheels. "40,000 Australians prefer large off-road SUVs and we think they might enjoy this. It's designed right here in Australia by Australians for Australians, and the world," says Mark Fields.FORD'S FUTUREFiesta ST - hot hatch - December 2013Mondeo hatch and wagon - mid-sized - early 2015Mustang - muscle car - mid 2015EcoBoost - baby SUV - December 2013Everest - large SUV - late 2015Secret SUV - mid-sized - late 2015This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover