Refinement, rugged capability heralds new Everest

Ford Motor Company South Africa (FMCSA) has launched the all-new Ford Everest in a move aimed at offering fresh menu to customers seeking to enhance their status. It redefines the sport utility vehicle market with bold design, advanced technology, exceptional off-road and on-road capability, and a refined, premium interior for up to seven passengers.

With a rugged, sculptural design that reflects its unshakeable toughness and technological prowess, the new Everest blends strength, smart features and style to bring consumers a tough and versatile SUV with true off-road capability.

“With the all-new Ford Everest, we’re launching an extremely capable and competitive premium SUV that performs equally well as a comfortable and refined family vehicle or taking on the roughest terrains.The Everest is a completely new vehicle inside and out with a host of first-in-class features, providing unmatched value in its segment.” says Tracey Delate, general marketing manager, Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa.

The all-new Everest represents Ford’s commitment to meet and exceed the highest customer expectations,” Delate says. “From the very beginning we set aggressive targets, and with the Ford Everest, we have truly raised the bar for this type of vehicle in design and capability, with advanced technologies for a smarter, safer and more capable vehicle.”

Ford Everest was designed from the ground up with the durability to take on the most inhospitable environments. One of the toughest SUVs in its segment, it has a body-on-frame design, assuring the torsional strength required for challenging terrains.

Together with an intelligent four-wheel drive system, an active transfer case with Torque on Demand and best-in-class ground clearance of 225mm and water-wading capability of 800mm, the Everest helps drivers navigate difficult terrain with ease.

For ultimate capability, the advanced new Terrain Management System gives drivers four settings – Normal, Snow/Gravel/Grass, Sand and Rock- that alter the vehicle’s throttle response, transmission, intelligent four-wheel drive system and traction control to confidently tackle any situation. For extreme off-road environments, drivers can manually lock the transfer case in low-range four-wheel drive mode for increased control.

These impressive off-road credentials are paired to a new level of ride quality and dynamic handling beyond what consumers have come to expect in a rugged SUV. Thanks to its coil spring front and rear suspension and a Watt’s linkage on the rear axle, the all-new Ford Everest provides a comfortable, stable ride with agile and predictable handling on the road, maintaining Ford’s fun-to-drive DNA.

With the smart and functional design, the all-new Ford Everest stands apart with a bold, sculptural design that communicates its impressive capabilities and advanced smart features, while the robust front end with signature LED daytime running lights and wide stance make for a powerful presence on the road.

The chiselled and technical design is also highly efficient – extensive aerodynamic testing led to an exterior that seamlessly melds form and function.

The all-new Everest’s bold exterior presence is paired with a modern interior that makes use of refined materials and emphasizes horizontal lines to create a comfortable, harmonious environment for up to seven adult occupants.

Interior features balance ride comfort with ultimate practicality, with standard folding second and third-row seating, more than 30 cleverly designed stowage spaces, multiple power outlets and flexible seating and cargo arrangements to achieve a perfect balance between passenger demands and packing efficiency.

On the high-spec Everest Limited, the third-row seats feature a power-fold function, a powered tailgate and an optional dual-panel moon roof. To ensure exceptional cabin quietness, Ford equipped the all-new Everest with Active Noise Cancellation technology in addition to optimizing cabin sealing and sound absorbing materials throughout the vehicle.

As the flagship of the all-new Everest range, the Limited model gains an extensive set of premium features including power-fold third row seats and powered tailgate, plus innovative driver aids such as active park assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high beam control, blind spot monitoring with cross traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, lane departure warning and lane keep assist. It also includes the innovative new Terrain Management System.

MIKE OCHONMA