New Ford Explorer revealed – and it’ll only be an EV
Ford has unveiled its stunning looking new all-electric Ford Explorer, only the company’s third full EV, and if looking at its size makes you wonder what kind of range this mid-size crossover SUV will offer, that’s too bad, because Ford isn’t saying.
The new Explorer, which really does look fantastically modern inside and out, will be built on Volkswagen’s flexible MEB architecture at Ford’s factory in Cologne, Germany, and will be a Europe-only model, at least initially. It’s being described as a vehicle that combines “German engineering with American style”.
Ford does claim that the all-electric Explorer will “take road trips in its stride, with charging from 10 to 80 percent in 25 minutes” when using fast DC chargers. One statement that stands out for an Australian reading the announcement of the car is that the vehicle will be able to access “500,000 charging points across Europe” by next year.
The official range claims for the vehicle will be announced closer to production, and European customers will be able to order the new vehicle, which comes in two versions, Explorer and Explorer Premium, later this year, with pricing anticipated to be “less than €45,000” ($73,000). There will be two- and all-wheel-drive variants.
The Ford Explorer is related to Volkswagen’s ID.4, as they are built on the same MEB architecture, as part of the 2019 global alliance between Ford and VW – which helped create the new Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok – but they look nothing like each other. And, indeed, MEB is hugely flexible, underpinning everything from the ID.3 hatchback to the ID.Buzz people mover that is a modern EV interpretation of the Kombi.
They will shares batteries, however, and the Volkswagen ID.4 comes with either a 52kWh or a 77kWh pack – so we can speculate that the Explorer should offer a range of up to about 500km.
Ford says the all-electric Explorer will offer an “outstanding digital experience” with a fully loaded infotainment system, a 15-inch movable screen (you can shift it up and down to suit your eyeline), wireless app integration and advanced driver assistance systems.
The stylish and tech-laden cabin features a 17-litre central console, big enough to store large items like a laptop computer and a private locker.
“Explorer is a trailblazer for a new breed of exciting Ford electric vehicles. Steeped in our American roots but built in Cologne for our customers in Europe, it is road trip-ready for the big adventures and fully loaded with everything our customers will need for their daily drives,” said Martin Sander, general manager, Ford Model e, Europe.
Ford has committed to offering an all-electric portfolio of passenger vehicles in Europe by 2030.
In Australia, Ford will begin selling the E-Transit within months and the Mustang Mach-e is expected to arrive in Australia sometime in 2023.
