Ford Everest designed, engineered in Australia

[Wretched]

Ford has confirmed its next global vehicle, the Everest SUV, was designed and engineered in Australia and will be sold globally.

In today confirming a showroom-ready version of the Everest Concept will be produced in Thailand for sale around the world, a Ford media statement said it was “created by Ford’s regional design and product development team in Australia.”

“The Everest Concept represents our vision of a global Ford vehicle with regional heritage that will allow customers to take on the world,” said Matt Bradley, Ford’s ASEAN boss.

The announcement is a coup for Ford Australia, having been effectively gagged from talking of its involvement in the made-for-China Escort, which when it was revealed in 2013 Ford referred to as a “global car”.
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Ford Australia is desperate to create a positive image for its local operations in light of the imminent shutdown of its local manufacturing facilities, which will close by October 2016.

Sales of the Falcon sedan are at record lows, while the Territory SUV has also dropped well below its earlier peaks.

Once the Broadmeadows production line stops for good by 2016 the company will continue with a local design and engineering team, which will contribute vehicles to the broader Ford world and keep about 1000 skilled workers in Australia.

The Everest is expected to arrive in Australian showrooms in 2015, although Ford Australia hasn’t officially confirmed its arrival and is still being coy on its imminent arrival.

“Watch this space – we’ll make an announcement in due course,” a spokesman told Drive.

The Everest will bolster Ford’s SUV range but is not expected to replace the locally-produced Territory. It’s understood Ford is also readying another SUV that will step in for the once top-selling Territory. The most likely option is the next generation of the North American Edge, which was revealed at the 2013 Los Angeles motor show.

While the Everest is based on the Ranger it’s understood to have dropped the ute’s load-lugging leaf spring rear-end, which can make for a bouncy ride not in keeping with the expectations of more car-like SUVs.

Instead Ford is understood to be utilising a more conventional coil spring set-up – possibly based on that used in the Territory - said to offer better body control and improved occupant comfort.

However, four-wheel-drive versions of the Everest are expected to be more capable than most SUVs thanks to proper off-road running gear. Previous development cars have been spotted with an electronic selector knob to tailor the car’s off-road traction systems, suggesting the Everest will be a car

The Everest is also expected to be a solid tow vehicle. The Ranger can tow 3500kg, suggesting a tow capacity for the SUV of about 3000kg.

The Everest was spied testing in Australia regularly over the past year or so, with Drive the first to publish pictures of the top secret wagon earlier in 2013.

Development cars utilised the underpinnings and front-end of the Ranger ute awkwardly grafted on to the tail of a Ford Territory SUV.

While the development mules looked odd, they were crucial in the development of the all-new vehicle.

Australia has long been a popular test location for car makers due to its extreme hot weather, rugged roads and penetrating dirt. The Toyota LandCruiser is one vehicle that has undergone extensive testing in Australia for decades.

Some car makers abandoned Australia when the Northern Territory imposed speed limits in 2007; in January and February the Territory was often used for high speed hot weather testing.

It’s unclear whether Thailand will be the only country to produce the Everest.

The Ranger with which it shares so much is also produced in South Africa and Brazil.

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...325-35f6a.html

Good work by Ford AU. Appears the engineers and designers are taking it to the rest of the Ford Empire once again.

[GASWAGON]

Will definatley be a direct competitor to LandCrusier and Patrol......Well done Ford AU engineers!

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by EF_6

Will definatley be a direct competitor to LandCrusier and Patrol......Well done Ford AU engineers!

Not really, but it will take on Holden Colorado 7

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by trublu

Not really, but it will take on Holden Colorado 7

Pretty much. But it will most likely be full of crap like people apparently want.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by trublu

Not really, but it will take on Holden Colorado 7

Only in terms of size, but I bet its off-road capability will surpass that of a stock LC200 and Patrol, which is not hard to do these days. Gone are the days of the 60 and 80 series with big ground clearance and solid axles. I'd love an Everest with the 3.2 I5. Stick an Aussie locker in the front and a Powertrax No Slip in the rear (like people seem to recommend), raise it a couple of inches...

[Bearman]

Originally Posted by Wretched

http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-new...325-35f6a.html

Good work by Ford AU. Appears the engineers and designers are taking it to the rest of the Ford Empire once again.

I like the look of it in these pics, will wait with interest for its arrival

[mac_man_luke]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Powertrax No Slip in the rear (like people seem to recommend), raise it a couple of inches...

Bet it will come with a rear locker like the Ranger.

Should be awesome off road if the ranger is anything to go by - will have better ramp over and departure angles, more flex with coils in the rear etc.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by mac_man_luke

Bet it will come with a rear locker like the Ranger.

Should be awesome off road if the ranger is anything to go by - will have better ramp over and departure angles, more flex with coils in the rear etc.

Ahh you are correct, I thought it was a limited-slip. Forgive me though, I am in the US. Ok every Australian should be excited about the Everest.

[FERG_51]

Should give Ford a vehicle that has been missing from the line up for years. Watch out Prado/Pajero.

[XR Martin]

Edit.

[Cheese3]

Originally Posted by EF_6

Will definatley be a direct competitor to LandCrusier and Patrol......Well done Ford AU engineers!

No it's not, it's going against the Prado.

Prado shares same chassis characteristics as hilux, same goes with the Holden product ect.

[mendyxr6]

About time. I saw one in Iraq in 2007 based on the pj courier and thought we need this in OZ. How much boot space behind the rear seat will be the real winner for most.

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by mendyxr6

About time. I saw one in Iraq in 2007 based on the pj courier and thought we need this in OZ. How much boot space behind the rear seat will be the real winner for most.

Hopefully the 2nd and 3rd row seats fold perfectly flat like in the Dodge Durango, as explained by Ron Burgundy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfveMj27u-M

[XP6]

Am I the only one that thinks it looks horrid?

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by XP6

Am I the only one that thinks it looks horrid?

nope..it obviously has American influence within the style and to be honest does very little for me.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Cheese3

No it's not, it's going against the Prado.

Prado shares same chassis characteristics as hilux, same goes with the Holden product ect.

Most likely, but since Ranger appears quite large compared to the others so I can see the reasoning.
and there would be less competition in the Patrol/ Cruiser market.
Personally id like to see 3 adults in the back seat.(or the capability of 3 kids seats)
that doesn't happen with Prado and Colorado7 looks smaller.
it works for Territory, and going by the Mazda BT50 advert they boast 3 adults in the back..

[barra240t]

Originally Posted by XP6

Am I the only one that thinks it looks horrid?

It looks awesome and I can't wait to sell heaps in Australia.

[Polyal]

I dont really like the look of it, its not bad, its just a bot boring IMO. Sounds odd but the new Kluger looks better IMO.

The new Patrols/Prado/Pajeros look like rubbish aswell.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by barra240t

It looks awesome and I can't wait to sell heaps in Australia.

IMO needs the ranger grill
Bet it doesn't come with those wheels and tyres! they make most 4WD SUV's look good.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

IMO needs the ranger grill
Bet it doesn't come with those wheels and tyres! they make most 4WD SUV's look good.

It may happen as the Ranger will be due for a fresh look in the next model.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by Polyal

I dont really like the look of it, its not bad, its just a bot boring IMO. Sounds odd but the new Kluger looks better IMO.

The new Patrols/Prado/Pajeros look like rubbish aswell.

Do you like this? certainly not Boring

[Polyal]

I think the badge is about the only thing that will make it to production. As a concept its fine, great, that aint going all the way!

[cheap]

Originally Posted by chevypower

Only in terms of size, but I bet its off-road capability will surpass that of a stock LC200 and Patrol, which is not hard to do these days. Gone are the days of the 60 and 80 series with big ground clearance and solid axles. I'd love an Everest with the 3.2 I5. Stick an Aussie locker in the front and a Powertrax No Slip in the rear (like people seem to recommend), raise it a couple of inches...

You're from the US, here in OZ our roads are a little different and 4x4 driving involves very long distances over a variety of different conditions, add to that the need for dealer servicing and spare parts available in the outback. There is only on brand of truck which cuts it here (especially when it comes to outback dealer support) and that is Toyota.

As a serious 4x4 the Everest needs to accomodate modifications such as more wheel travel and 33"/35" tyres. Add a bullbar, dual batteries, locker diffs and so on. Easier said than done, therefore I doubt it will challenge a Land Cruiser 200. Of course I could be wrong and could expect to see dozens of these things on Fraser Island

As an off road truck a 60/80/105 series Landcruiser with a solid beam front axle, big tyres and lift kit is hard to beat.

IMO Everest is another pimped up soft-roader, competing against CX9, Kluger and others (just like Territory)

[PX_Ranger]

I want that front end on my Ranger !!!

I like this a lot I wonder if they will bring a 2x4 version ?? If so I might get one for the missus.

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by cheap

IMO Everest is another pimped up soft-roader, competing against CX9, Kluger and others (just like Territory)

LOL wot.

Is a Prado a softroader too? Because the Everest will be basically the same thing.
Full chassis, solid rear axle, locker diff, low range ≠ softroader last time I looked

Oh BTW a Ranger has 800mm wading depth, a Landcruiser 200 is only 700mm.
Everest is a Ranger wagon...
Only thing that beats a Ranger is a $250k Range Rover with 900mm wading

[chevypower]

Originally Posted by cheap

You're from the US, here in OZ our roads are a little different and 4x4 driving involves very long distances over a variety of different conditions, add to that the need for dealer servicing and spare parts available in the outback. There is only on brand of truck which cuts it here (especially when it comes to outback dealer support) and that is Toyota.

As a serious 4x4 the Everest needs to accomodate modifications such as more wheel travel and 33"/35" tyres. Add a bullbar, dual batteries, locker diffs and so on. Easier said than done, therefore I doubt it will challenge a Land Cruiser 200. Of course I could be wrong and could expect to see dozens of these things on Fraser Island

As an off road truck a 60/80/105 series Landcruiser with a solid beam front axle, big tyres and lift kit is hard to beat.

IMO Everest is another pimped up soft-roader, competing against CX9, Kluger and others (just like Territory)

I lived in Oz for 25 years, I had a LC100 try to pull us out of a creek one time, and it couldn't even get into the creek we were in before the owner said "I'm not going in there." Honestly, I was shocked. The 80 series was the last decent off-road Land Cruiser (not counting the 70 series). I rented a Prado to go on a 4x4 trip one time, I kept needing my friend in his old Navara to pull me out. It wasn't great. I took my dad's 2005 Hilux SR work vehicle to Yarra State Forest and I got stuck my fair share of getting stuck, and it's the only vehicle where I have ever gotten mud inside the differential. Apparently the servicing dealer spotted that one! All the new Toyotas have gone soft, it's not hard to beat them. Yeah I know they are still capitalizing on the success of the older, more rugged vehicles, and putting those badges on the newer stuff, but badges don't really help people in off-road situations. But whenever I hear somebody repeating Toyota's marketing phrases like "unbreakable," I just think they have never really tried to take a newer Toyota off-road. Perhaps the same people will just dismiss my experience as not knowing what I am doing, but I kind of agree with Freud when it comes to denial.

By the way, I went 4x4ing the other day with my friend in his Frontier (Navara), he was sliding around on the snow and mud, whereas my Ford remained planted pretty well. This surprised me, as I have an open rear diff, he has a rear LSD. I'm just not that impressed with the Japanese products anymore, though I still think the Navara/Frontier is very good. Mark my words, the Everest is going to be a very capable off-roader and I bet Ford Australia is working with the aftermarket companies. They have to. I have never been to Fraser Island, but would really love to. It's on my "to do" list (along with many other places).

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

Do you like this? certainly not Boring

image

image

I'd like to call it butt ugly but I can't think of a butt as ugly.

[cheap]

Great news, I mean truly great, I can't wait to see the Everest in amazing swarms throughout he outback. I can foresee the grey nomad's tossing their gear aside too, fabulous news as the resales values of LC200's will be zip.

Also thanks for clearing up my previous views on 4x4's, as you've noted wadding depth is now the only worthy measure of 4x4 capability, I'm going to go out on a limb and predict a rush on 90/100mm pvc pipe, as any old barge with 5m's of pvc snorkel would beat all other 4x4's including a $250K Range Rover. However I'm just not sure what advantage having a 5m wadding depth would be in the Simpson?

[spyman03]

Hey,

Guys just shot the production bodied Everest today finally it's in gamma2 spec

The show car is the real deal if you like it that's Everest


Regards spyman

[GASWAGON]

Originally Posted by spyman03

Hey,

Guys just shot the production bodied Everest today finally it's in gamma2 spec

The show car is the real deal if you like it that's Everest


Regards spyman

O.k so with a username like spyman you obviously know more about this product than most....I think it looks fine but i doubt there will be many fitted with those off road tyres!