PRESS RELEASE
The Next-Generation Ford Everest makes its global debut today, blending adventure-ready capability with exceptional comfort and customer-focused technology in a rugged, refined and fun to drive SUV.
Engineered to excite, the Next-Gen Everest has been built for the adventurous – with capability at its core. Inside, premium levels of craftsmanship have created a quiet and refined sanctuary for up to seven, while new technology and safety features make every journey more memorable.
“When we started imagining the Next-Gen Everest, we started not at the beginning but at the end: With our customers,” said Ian Foston, chief platform engineer for Everest. “They’re people who like adventure, recreation and being able to go out with family and friends. Whether they’re conquering sand, rocks or city life, these customers appreciate the utility, capability and spaciousness of an SUV.”
Armed with more customer input than ever before, Foston said the objective for the Next-Gen Everest was clear: Tough on the outside, a sanctuary on the inside, amazing capability underneath.
Giving customers the opportunity to choose their perfect Everest, Ford New Zealand will offer three variants of the Next-Gen Everest. The New Zealand range will start with Trend followed by Sport while the new flagship variant Platinum will offer the ultimate in luxury and comfort.
New to the top of the New Zealand range, Platinum features a premium flagship interior, and new for Everest are 21-inch wheels finished in a special tri-coat paint with machined accents. Platinum is exclusively powered by the new 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel, backed with a 10-speed automatic transmission and permanent four-wheel drive. The 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel will also be available on Sport.
Platinum’s unique grille design with hot foil accented mesh and silk chrome accents creates a sophisticated look and premium feel. The luxury interior features 10-way power adjustable heated and ventilated premium leather accented front seats, with quilted inserts and signature Platinum badging. In Platinum, second-row seat occupants can also enjoy heated seats. A panoramic roof adds to the luxurious and spacious feel of the interior.
Everest’s wider track and longer wheelbase enabled designers to create a more progressive, muscular appearance. Ford’s global design DNA is reflected in the C-clamp head lamps and strong horizontal upper grille bar. The front end also has a mix of horizontal and vertical elements, which add to the commanding appearance.
On the sides, there is a strong shoulder line front to back, while the wider track resulted in a more dramatic swell over the wheels, enhancing the strong and modern look.
“We showed customers the Everest at several points during the design process, and their feedback was consistent: They loved the exterior with the strong and rugged design, but they also thought it was sleek and modern,” said Max Wolff, design director for China and International Markets Group. “They said that the Everest would give them the confidence to go off-road; they wouldn’t have to second guess if it could go off-road whilst camping – it looks like a proper 4WD.”
What customers wanted on the interior was a different story. Inside, they wanted a sanctuary.
“One of the first things you’ll notice when you get into a new Everest is how quiet it is. We’ve all been in vehicles with multiple rows of seats, where you have to twist your head around and almost shout to be heard by passengers in the second or third rows,” he said. “That’s an issue we wanted to solve for Everest, so the interior would be a quiet place in which you can easily talk to your family or friends and enjoy the journey together.”
Designers also put a lot of thought into the function and feel of the interior, taking inspiration from modern homes and bringing in plush materials, premium finishes and ambient lighting all in areas where customers can appreciate them the best.
Everest’s sense of spaciousness is amplified by the full-width coast-to-coast instrument panel and centre console with dual cupholder recesses plus dash mounted ‘pop out’ cupholders for front seat occupants.
All models are equipped with a svelte new leather trimmed e-Shifter and all variants get integrated wireless charging and an electric parking brake. Depending on the variant, heated and ventilated 10-way power adjustable memory function seats are available for the driver and 10-way power for the passenger.1 Heated seats are also available for second row occupants in Platinum.
Access to the third-row seats is now easier thanks to second-row seats that slide further forward than before. Additionally, all occupants now have places to store their things and charge their devices with power outlets in all three rows.
Ford has prioritised flexible seating in the Next-Gen Everest; the second-row slides with a 60:40 split seatback while on Platinum the 50:50 split third row in seven-seat configuration can be folded at the touch of a button. Importantly, both the second and third row seats have been designed to fold flat to allow for long loads to be carried safely.
To stop items falling out of the back when the tailgate is lifted, Wolff’s team created a small lip, affectionately known as the “apple catcher”, at the rear of the cargo area. The team also created an underfloor storage space that helps keep the rear of the Everest organised.
In addition to a more refined and comfortable interior, Ford focused on incorporating the latest connectivity and technology features into the Next-Gen Everest. Everest comes with an 8 or 12.4-inch digital instrument panel that replaces the traditional analogue clusters. Everest also features large, high-resolution portrait 12-inch touchscreen.
Next-Gen Everest is loaded with Ford’s latest SYNC® 4A system, which comes customer-ready with its voice-activated communications, entertainment and information systems. Additionally, there’s an embedded factory-fitted modem, allowing customers to connect to Everest when linked with the FordPass™ App. FordPass enhances the ownership experience with features like remote start, vehicle status check and remote lock and unlock functions via your mobile device.
The new 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel spearheads the lineup, and is joined by the proven 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel. Both engines are backed by Ford’s efficient 10-speed automatic transmission.
“The 3.0L V6 turbo-diesel really delivers that big-engine torque and power customers want,” said Pritika Maharaj, Everest program manager. “It feels really tough in the sense that it’s got endless power and torque, but it is also refined and quiet on the road.”
“Regardless of engine, our customers can be confident that they have the power and torque they need whether they’re towing, heading off-road, or just heading off on a family adventure,” said Maharaj.
A 50mm increase in Next-Gen Everest’s track helps deliver a more controlled ride on-road, while tweaks to damper settings allowed the team to inject more ‘fun’ and control into the way Everest rides both on- and off-road.
“Everest was always well regarded for its plush ride on- and off-road, but the track increase allowed our dynamics team to create a greater connection between vehicle and driver, with a more controlled ‘fun to drive’ ride around town and on the highway,” said Foston.
Ford NZ says – We’re looking at mid year arrivals. There is a lot of detail and features information included in these releases however full spec and pricing is still to be confirmed. At launch Ford NZ will have three model line up – Trend, Sport and the new Platinum – and at launch the Trend will feature the 2.0L BiTurbo powertrain and the Sport and Platinum will feature the V6.
