Tuesday, March 24, 2015

ALL NEW Ford Everest debuts at the Bangkok Auto Show

Ford previews the all new Ford Everest over at the Bangkok Auto Show. Expect it to arrive on our shores by the middle of this year. The Ford Everest is basically a Ford Ranger pick up truck with a full cabin. Specs of the Everest are high and are exactly like the facelifted Ranger previewed earlier.

On the aspect of motor shows, its quite sad that Malaysia does not have one as big as the ones in Thailand or even Indonesia. Actually, Singapore motor show does things better most of the time. Maybe we've got to open up the car market even more for more enthusiastic participants.






PRESS RELEASE

Ford’s Smart New Everest Brings Refinement and Rugged Capability to the ASEAN SUV Market

The new Ford Everest goes far beyond what consumers in Southeast Asia expect from a premium SUV, blending rugged off-road capability with exceptional ride quality and dynamic handling

With a chiseled and sculptural design, Ford’s latest seven-seat off-road SUV features body-on-frame construction, intelligent four-wheel drive and an advanced Terrain Management System to help drivers navigate challenging terrain with ease and confidence

Together with an advanced suspension that offers exceptional ride comfort and agile handling, the new Ford Everest’s spacious, modern interior with high-quality craftsmanship delivers a comfortable ride for up to seven passengers

Advanced, first-in-class features, including SYNC 2, Active Park Assist, and segment-first Curve Control and Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, make the new Ford Everest one of the smartest SUVs in its segment

First-in-class power-fold third-row seating and power liftgate add to flexibility and versatility


BANGKOK, Thailand, Mar. 24, 2015 – The new Ford Everest made its debut in Thailand today, redefining the ASEAN SUV market with bold design, advanced technology, stunning off-road and on-road capability, and a refined, premium interior for up to seven passengers.

“With the new Ford Everest, we’re further strengthening our showroom lineup across ASEAN markets with a fully capable and competitive premium SUV that works equally well as a comfortable and refined family vehicle or taking on the roughest terrains of Southeast Asia,” said Matt Bradley, president, Ford ASEAN. “It’s a completely new vehicle inside and out with a host of first-in-class features, and all at a very reasonable price.”

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. In addition to surprising and delighting fans of rugged off-road SUVs, the new Everest embodies Ford’s fun-to-drive DNA to deliver rewarding and dynamic on-road handling, offering no compromises on refinement and comfort.

“The Ford Everest will help to expand our product footprint in the region with a tough and refined vehicle that enables drivers, their families, friends and colleagues to go anywhere comfortably – whether on urban roads or far off the beaten track,” said Richard Tilley, vehicle line director, Ford Asia Pacific. “From the EcoSport to the Everest, our SUV portfolio in Asia Pacific offers something for everyone.”

Led by Ford’s Asia Pacific design and product development teams, and making use of Ford’s global SUV expertise, the new Ford Everest builds on the reputation of the current Everest, which is praised for its durability and versatility. The new Ford Everest will be available in both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants.

“The new Ford Everest represents an epic commitment on the part of the Ford Motor Company to meet and exceed high customer expectations,” said Tilley. “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.”

Balancing rugged off-road and refined on-road capability
The new 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, the Everest has a true 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, Terrain Management System, and best-in-class ground clearance of 225 mm and water-wading capability of 800 mm, the Everest helps drivers navigate difficult terrain with ease.

For ultimate capability, the advanced, first-in-class Terrain Management System gives drivers four preset 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 new Ford Everest provides a comfortable, stable ride with agile and predictable handling on the road, keeping the promise of Ford’s fun-to-drive DNA.

Advanced technology for a smarter, safer drive
Ingeniously packaged with “up for it” functionality enabling extraordinary journeys, the new Ford Everest is one of the most technologically advanced off-road SUVs ever made, and builds on Ford’s global expertise in the utility segment.

The latest generation of Ford’s in-car connectivity solution, SYNC 2, lets drivers use natural voice commands to control the car’s entertainment system, climate controls and connected mobile devices more easily than ever before. SYNC 2 also boasts an eight-inch touchscreen with colour-coded corners for easy menu navigation. The entertainment system features a first-in-class 10-speaker sound system with an integrated subwoofer, providing accurate and precise sound reproduction and deep, rich bass.

Other segment-first technologies in the new Everest include Curve Control, designed to help drivers maintain control when approaching turns too quickly, and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert, which informs drivers when there is a vehicle in their blind spot while driving or when preparing to reverse out of parking spots.

The vehicle also offers other advanced features, including Roll Stability Control and an Electronic Stability Program that works with traction control to help the driver stay in control. To reduce parking anxiety, Active Park Assist enables drivers to parallel park hands-free, requiring only accelerating, shifting and braking from the driver – a first in its segment in Thailand.

In addition to advanced active safety systems, a strong passenger cage built using high-strength materials like boron steel, and passive safety features, including up to seven airbags, help to keep occupants safe in the event of a collision.

Power and efficiency to go further
The incredible capabilities of the new Ford Everest are made possible by one of two diesel engines from Ford’s globally proven Duratorq family, mated to durable and efficient six-speed automatic or manual transmissions. Featuring advanced technologies that improve fuel efficiency, both engines deliver excellent perfomance:

For maximum power and torque for heavy-duty towing, Ford is offering the latest generation of its 3.2-liter Duratorq five-cylinder TDCi diesel engine with 147 kW of power and 470 Nm of torque. Upgrades from the previous generation include an updated exhaust gas recirculation system to boost efficiency

For maximum fuel economy without compromising performance, Ford is also offering the latest generation of the 2.2-liter Duratorq four-cylinder TDCi diesel, putting out 118 kW of power and 385 Nm of torque

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

The new Everest’s bold exterior presence is paired with a modern interior that makes use of refined materials and emphasises horizontal lines to create a comfortable, harmonious environment for up to seven adult occupants. Interior features balance ride comfort with ultimate practicality, including a dual-panel moon roof, a first-in-class powered liftgate, more than 30 cleverly designed stowage spaces, multiple power outlets and flexible seating and cargo arrangements – including fold-flat second- and first-in-class power-fold third-row seating – to achieve a perfect balance between passenger demands and packing efficiency.

To ensure exceptional cabin quietness, Ford equipped the new Everest with Active Noise Cancellation technology in addition to optimising cabin sealing and sound absorbing materials throughout the vehicle.

Similar to the systems used in noise-cancelling headphones, Active Noise Cancellation uses three strategically placed microphones inside the cabin to detect and measure sounds. A smart control module instantaneously generates opposing sound waves, which are then fed through the Everest’s audio system to cancel out unpleasant noises. The result is a quiet interior that lets the driver comfortably speak with third row passengers without shouting.

“With its safe and smart features, a refined interior and incredible on-road and off-road capabilities, the new Ford Everest sets a new standard in the medium SUV segment and represents a compelling addition to our global lineup of SUVs in ASEAN markets,” said Tilley. “Taking advantage of our global design and development expertise, and our proud heritage in the utility segment, we’ve created a vehicle that goes far beyond customer expectations.”

The new Ford Everest will be manufactured at AutoAlliance Thailand in Rayong, Thailand.

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Editor’s note: Specific feature availability varies by market

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

is it really coming to Malaysia? it's already mid-Nov 2015

Rigval Reza said...

They just launched the facelifted Ranger two weeks ago which is months behind Thailand. Expect it to be sometime next year at the earliest

Anonymous said...

Hi Reza

The 2.2 churns out these "118 kW of power and 385 Nm of torque" Whats is your opinion ? If a driver is interested more on highways rather than off road . Knowing that this 2.2 is a rear wheel drive.

Appreciate your your opinion.

Rigval Reza said...

Hi Anon,

IMHO, the 2.2 is already more than adequate for highways. Less characterful than the 3.2 but nearly as capable in most conditions. If you intend to use the 2.2 Everest for roads rather than off-road, then it is more than enough. Rear wheel drive is more than enough as it has traction control and all the safety equipment.

I also have to say that the Everest could be the best handling Body on Chassis type SUV (it is essentially the Ranger ladder frame with the SUV body on it). It is the most car-like amongst these sort of SUVs (think Fortuner, Pajero Sport). It should be well behaved on the roads because of this.

Personally I like Ford pickups and SUVs. They drive very well. Better than most of the japanese challengers. Safer too, in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

Hi Reza ,

Thanks , that was very informative .I am not sure if its right to ask you these , but its wrong i apologize . I am planning to buy a 7 seater SUV and I have streamline to A Korean SUV in Kia Sorento 2.2 CRDI , Outlander 2.4 , and Ford Everest .I have taken in to consideration the warranties , EURO 5 Diesel and re sale value . If you were me what will be your pick .
Again if you think it is not ethical for me to ask , you have the right to say " no comment"

Thanks again
Regards

Rigval Reza said...

Hi again Anon,

I'd opt for the diesels. Torque is what you need for something like an SUV. I would not like the Outlander if I stepped out from the turbodiesels. It depends on your budget. Kia comes in at a lower price and it has a monocoque chassis. The Everest has a body on chassis setup. Whilst the Ford is the best of its class, a monocoque chassis usually feels better on road. I also would ask you to do some research on spare parts and running costs after the warranty runs out if you intend to keep it long.