Ford advances in its offer of 100% electric models, at least for Europe, where combustion vehicles are being increasingly cornered and, obviously, it does so with an icon model within the fashion typology: SUV.
Gone was the One Ford plan to sell the same models all over the planet. The new Ford Explorer EV is destined for the Old Continent and, interestingly, it does not use the base of the Mustang Mach-e, but the Volkswagen MEB, punctually in the variant applied to the ID.4. It is worth remembering that towards the end of the last decade the famous Cyclone Project was announced, through which Ford and Volkswagen would advance in the development of models together. And this new Explorer EV is the result of that project, as have been the new VW Amarok and the Ford Tourneo Connect, among others.
Ford Explorer EV: Where is it positioned?
Although it is called Explorer, this electric model is much smaller than the original model, which currently reaches 5.05 m in length. In the case of EV it measures:
- 4.4m long
- 1.8m wide
- 1.6m tall
Regarding the Mach-e, it is smaller except in height, which together with the mechanics makes both target different audiences, with the Mustang focused on sportsmanship. the new model it’s also shorter than the Escape (4.6m) and slightly larger than a Bronco Sport (4.3m).
ford design
Aesthetically, the house of the oval sought to give personality to its product hiding as much as possible the traces that cannot be altered from the electric Volkswagen. Respecting part of the sinuous waist and the C-pillar of the ID.4, Ford went for the straightest lines, especially in the front area, although the final result has the aseptic character of many electric models due to the lack of a grille and the surfaces too smooth. The more “Fordist” features are related to the original Explorer, especially in the tailgate and taillights.
Inside, Ford managed to give it a character more in line with its range, for this it changed the Volkswagen screen placed on top with a floating style and replaced it with a 14.6 “Tablet style placed at the junction of the dashboard with the console. The 5” screen instrument cluster is embedded in the dashboard and the steering wheel is different from the one used by the German models.
EVW Mechanics
Ford has not said much about the mechanics of the Explorer EV, but taking into account its base is that of Volkswagenit should follow in the footsteps of the ID.4, which offers either a 174 Hp (124 kW) or 204 Hp (150 kW) motor, and twin-motor versions with 265 and 299 horsepower in the GTX.
Ford claims that the battery can be recharged from 10 to 80% in 25 minutes, but we have no further data. The Volkswagen model offers a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 77 kWh, which yields 526 km in the WLTP cycle.
Regarding the comfort and safety equipment, do not expect anything revolutionary, but the ability to load the electric SUV with almost all kinds of assistants and gadgets typical of its segment, at a price that the brand announces is less than 45,000 euros.
